I was in the Centennial Forum Student Union when Barack Obama was named president-elect. I was texting at the time, my eyes off the television screen, so my clue that the election was officially over was the audible gasp coming from everyone crowded around the TV, as well as the scream from Zip's. My first thought was that someone had tripped or broken something. My second thought was, "Well, damn."
Needless to say, I have not been the biggest Obama supporter. My initial excitement and delight over America's first black (more accurately, America's first biracial) presidential candidate waned considerably when I discovered his views on abortion were some of the most extreme I had ever seen. (So much for bipartisanship, right?) So my feelings about his election were decidedly mixed: I was truly happy that the newest generation of children will grow up knowing that for a black man, in this country, it is truly possible to succeed in politics. At the same time, I grieved, knowing that with Obama's unequivocal support for abortion, the newest generation of children might be lessened considerably. Disappointed and weirdly excited, I ran down to the Phoenix office and shared the news. A few minutes later, I learned that I wasn't the only one who was disappointed.
I browsed my status updates on Facebook, delighted to see how happy and excited my high school friends were, thanks to the election, and shortly I had my mouth hanging open in horror, transfixed on the computer screen. Some people weren't just disappointed with Obama's election, or simply upset. Some were downright cruel. As annoying as the rants about "socialism" and "lack of personal freedom" were, I was shocked at how many people had typed about terrorism, slurs about Islam, about moving to another country since this one had gone to hell in a hand basket. "NOT MY PRESIDENT!" A few of them read. "This country's gone to shit!" read another. "Americans are idiots," still another one said. I logged off quickly, but I felt like I had been slapped in the face. Sure, we may be idiots, but is there any doubt in anyone's mind that we are the ones who put him in office? Whatever our decision, the people have spoken. You can't help but respect that.
There will always be a part of me that feels angry about this election - abortion, in my opinion, is the biggest societal evil, and nothing about the fact that we elected a man who supports it is going to make me jump up and down with joy. And I sympathize with those who feel angry, whatever their reasons, about McCain's loss. But I am disgusted that many Americans are so filled with hate that they will use this election as an excuse for utter bigotry. It serves no constructive purpose to belittle someone's race or religion, or worse, use one person as an example of why one race, one country, or one religion is faulty.
I can't think of a time when our country was better served by being divisive and hostile, and for the McCain/Palin supporters in this election, I hasten to say that John McCain would agree with me. In his concession speech, McCain showed remarkable aplomb, urging his supporters to not only congratulate Obama in his deserved win, but to offer him our goodwill. McCain was the epitome of class on election night, and it befuddles me completely that people who support him would act completely contrary to his wishes.
For better or for worse, our new president-elect is Barack Obama. And whether or not we agree with him, hate is inexcusable. It is my sincere hope that American citizens - supporters of Obama or not - band together in unity to support the man we chose to elect, offering him prayer, protection and support. That is a "change" I can agree with.
Sarah Watts is the Discourse editor.
swatts@luc.edu
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