President-Elect Barack Obama

I truly believe that with this choice that hope and optimism overcame fear and hatred. I feel hopeful. I feel optimistic. And it feels....weird. Being 28 years old, I haven't had much to feel proud of as an American.

• In the 80's when I was a kid greed and selfishness was in. I was a kid though, so I didn't care.
• In the 90's when I was a teenager apathy was cool. I was a teenager. I was cool, so I didn't care.
• In 1998, I joined the Marines and started my journey into adulthood. I thought to myself, "Maybe I should care."
• In 2001, we were attacked. America united as strong as ever. We started to fight back. I was proud. I cared.
• By 2005 America was as split as possible without things getting violent. I was ashamed of our president and of our standing in the world. It hurt to do so, but dammit I cared.
• Now it's 2008. Barack Obama is our president-elect. I'm proud of what's possible and it feels good to care.

When I hear Obama speak I feel.....moved.

When I think of him being our president I feel.... proud.

These are strange feelings for me. For most of my adult life we've had a president that spoke of "nukular" weapons, the "internets" and a "crusade" against terrorism fueled by religious zealotry. It will be a difficult adjustment for me. The apathetic part of me that's left over from the 90's tells me I'm gullible for feeling moved. It cautions me to be guarded towards optimism. I can't help it though: Right now, I feel proud to be an American.

If I could say one thing to Obama right now it would be this...

You have inspired more hope and optimism than you know in a generation of Americans that, until now, have only felt apathy, shame and pessimism. Don't let us down.