Like a Spring Breeze

On November 4, 2008, Senator Barack Obama was elected as the forty-fourth president of the United States. His victory speech in Chicago on that occasion gave a strong impression of his sincere belief that America and the world would change. It was the most historical and revolutionary moment since the collapse of the Berlin Wall.

“Hello Chicago! If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

“It’s the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference.

“It’s the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled—Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America. [Omission]

“The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America—I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you—we as a people will get there. [Omission]

“This is our time—to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth—that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:

“Yes We Can. Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.”

As many as four million people visited Washington to watch Obama’s inauguration ceremony on January 20, and after it was over, he immediately went to work.

The once-in-a-century economic crisis that originated in the United States has enveloped and brought hardship to the entire world. Needless to say, the success of President Obama’s “Green New Deal” will be a key point in resolving the problem. But for now, anyway, the appearance of President Obama is like a spring breeze that brings much joy.