"The fierce urgency of now..."

Tonight, we gather to affirm the greatness of our nation—not because of the height of our skyscrapers, or the power of our military, or the size of our economy. Our pride is based on a very simple premise, summed up in a declaration made over two hundred years ago. –Barack Obama

On November 4, I sat on my couch just like thousands of others. And, for the first time in quite a while, I was filled with pride to be an American.

Many of us take for granted where we are in the history of our nation. It is sometimes easy to forget that not half a century ago an African American man would not have been allowed to share a water fountain, a bathroom stall, a bus with white Americans. And now, for the first time in our nation’s history, an African American man has been elected leader—not of a minority, not of a specific county or state, but of all individuals—of all races within this country. We have come so far as a nation in such a short (historically speaking) period of time. Therein lies the beauty of America.

The television captivated my senses as I watched poignant screen shots of Americans—African American, Mexican, white, old, young, gay, straight, and from a variety of cultures and geographic locations—embracing, crying, hands clasped together. It is undeniable that this election has already proven to bridge gaps, even if only for a moment—a grand, historical moment.

This election proves to Americans that nothing is truly out of our reach. That close-mindedness is not an epidemic. That people can change. And, with that sentiment, that a country can change. And that is what we so desperately need.

I am incredibly hopeful and no longer just “blindly optimistic”. I am proud. And I look forward to the possibility of a return to greatness for the United States of America. It is what we are so desperately striving for—“A nation healed. A world repaired. An America that believes again.”

We all made this journey for a reason. It's humbling, but in my heart I know you didn't come here just for me. You came here because you believe in what this country can be. In the face of war, you believe there can be peace. In the face of despair, you believe there can be hope. In the face of a politics that's shut you out, that's told you to settle, that's divided us for too long, you believe we can be one people, reaching for what's possible, building that more perfect union. –Barack Obama