Words can not express the joy I feel today as we, the best country in the world, celebrate our first African-American President–Barack Obama.

The road here was not easy, but through the prayers and hardwork of the faithful, this day is here.

I thank God I lived to see this happen. I regret my dad who died on November 4, 1996 was not here to see it. When it was announced on CNN that Barack Obama had been officially declared the winner, I cried—but they were tears of joy. Joy beyond words.

Other bloggers have shared in the celebration of our first African-American President (if you blogged, be sure to stop by and share your link):

Eathan @ IDW - Barack Obama and IDW

Single Mom Seeking - Election day, down to the wire

Very Smart Brotha - Shortest Post Ever

Single Black Male - Life is Good

Miss Polyamory - Barack Obama, The 44th US President

APOOO - President of the United States and the First Family

  I went to vote at 9 am and didn’t have to deal with a line. I looked at the record as they signed my name in and I was #293 to vote at that poll location for today…my mom was #292. I think a lot of folks voted early so there weren’t any long lines at this particular location.

I was excited to see Barack Obama’s name as the first thing on the ballot.  I said a quick prayer and pressed the choice for his name. I’m so excited I don’t know what time I’ll be going to bed. 

We are standing on the eve of seeing history made. History is made because of change. Change happens when there’s action. Let’s do our part to make change happen. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s said in 1963, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

Regardless of your political affiliation, its hard to deny the fact that because of change, on November 4th, King’s dream is days away of becoming a reality. Three generations of Black women watched Barack Obama make his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention. To share that moment with my mom and grandmother will forever be locked in my memory. God willing, on November 5, 2008, three generations of Black women will wake up on that day to news annoucing our first African American president.

Color-Free
© 2008 by Shelia M. Goss

The color of my skin shouldn’t define me
Because when I go out of this country,
American is all they see.

My Brown-sugar, Caramel, Ebony, Hershey-chocolate,
Mahogany, Mocha, Vanilla complexion
Is only an outer shell.
You have to dig Deeper,
If you want to know
What’s embedded in my mind.

My skin color might hint to my Races
Past struggles and pain,
But don’t lose the fact that we’re
Individuals and not all the same.

One day I hope we can all
Be one big happy family
In the meantime, I’ll leave a legacy
To the younger generation.

Show by example on how to get through
Life’s complications.
I will teach them how to love
Through my own interactions.

I will show them how to give
And not wait for someone’s reaction.
I will encourage them to dream and not
Let society dictate who they can be.

I will show them the benefit of believing in
Oneself, but most of all in a Higher Being.

I hope to see the manifestation of my vision
A society that’s COLOR-FREE.