I must be honest, even though I am quite ecstatic that Barack Obama became the clear choice of our era, and most importantly to our generation, I was mostly a casual observer of the election (not to mention I'm a US resident but not a citizen, so I can't vote). However, watching the music world turn political was impressive to say the least, and as a voice of an immigrant who's experienced the last five presidential elections, here are my two pennies.

Our collective consciousness since the year 2000 has been, as we all know, pretty complex and inexplicable. So many events that challenged us emotionally, physically, financially. First 911. Then the war. Coverups. Scandals. We talked about, rapped about, prayed and hoped for a positive change, then a man with amazing resolve came along to profess change with great eloquence, people got behind him, and now it's finally a reality.

We are at the end of a two-year race. Race among races. Seemed to have been the "key" issue all along, while candidates debated over the "real" issues. Remember when skeptics wrote that Barack's race could be an issue among people of color? That he wasn't African-American enough, or (just like Halle Berry winning the Oscars) despite having a white mother (and WHAT was that about Obama being related to Cheney?), the way they touted the improbable precedence of a "black" figure winning the ultimate prize / post in America? Just that alone makes you wonder, is it really one's heritage or the appearance that matters to people (perception shaped by mainstream media), beyond what really matters = what he or she can actually deliver? Opponents of Obama clearly tried to play into people's unfounded fear that he won't be looking after the best interests of the nation (um, take a look at who's been in office).

BUT, when IT actually HAPPENED, all that BS went straight out the window. Evaporated like ( ). People were genuinely happy for him, and for the first time in a long time, for themselves, too. Nevermind that 48 million STILL voted red after eight years of tyrannical rule. Nevermind.

The screen cut to millions of people of all colors all around America celebrating, adults crying like children, children proud like adults, it brought a layer of tears to my eyes as well. Tears of joy everywhere, tears of deep relief and dreamy disbelief, that we have a new black president. You can say that again.

Now that the election is OVER, it's the same kind of now what? feeling after a long season of professional sports. Seriously though, politics are played out as such in this country, the parallels are obvious. You got two leagues, the long regular season, then the playoffs, then the League Championship Series (aka DNC / RNC), then the Finals / World Series / Super Bowl.

As a matter of fact, during the last eight years, I must sadly confess, professional sports was like the ONLY thing I could take seriously, invest real emotions into, and have a sense of (temporary) accomplishment at the end. Until now that is, gladly. I do understand that no matter who won it's still the same old establishment, but I sincerely hope that Obama can defy circumstances that may arise from his swift prominence, despite whatever he had to do already in order to get there.

So the election on TV was a Super Bowl spectacle, only this time the change of guards lasts longer than the next preseason, it was waaaaay more relevant, and lastly, you could actually feel the whole world rejoice.

"We as a people will get there"
- Barack Obama

may peace be unto all.

Shing02