The Dream of a New Generation

After months and months of anticipation filled with rallies and debates, Election Day 2008 came and went in an explosive flash.

That was the day where voters and volunteers discovered if their months of servitude and dedication were in vain.

This election makes history in many ways.
Records have been broken as thousands of new voters—including myself—raced to the polls.

America has never witnessed such a movement where young people were so aware, alert and excited about making a difference in their country.

The reasoning behind this innovative energy is the result of one man’s ability to reach out and encourage masses of people ready for something new.

That man is Barack Obama.

Obama endowed a sense of hope in a nation desperately in need of such rigorous conviction.  

Obama is a leader who is qualified and capable of restoring America and her image to those abroad who have seen her at her worst.

What better election to have participated in for the first time than an election that possesses so many firsts.

A female presidential candidate, a female VP candidate and a black presidential candidate have all helped to make this election historic.

The fact that so many barriers have been broken in this presidential race will have an overwhelming effect on young people and children witnessing progress in America.

These are changes that our parents and grandparents would never have imagined in their wildest dreams becoming realities.

Imagine a young girl with aspirations of holding a position in the White House realizing because of Hilary Clinton that she too could beat the odds.

Imagine a young black boy under the impression that he can excel in politics because of the success of Obama.

The affect that he has had on American youth is something few politicians could achieve.

Obama has sparked an excitement for politics in young voters and others who at one time were less educated about and involved in politics.

He motivated masses of people and transformed them into informed voters, causing them to become knowledgeable about subjects they at were never interested in.

Obama’s campaign provoked masses of first time voters to take to the polls and reinvigorated citizens who haven’t taken up a ballot in years.

Counties reported record numbers at the polls.

Young people like myself made certain their votes counted!

Stacy Vieux may be reached at svieux@ut.edu.

Comments

1 comments

Prof. Janice Law

Fri Nov 7 2008 14:20

Stacy,

While I agree for the most part with your column and certainly share in the excitment of Obama's history-making win, I must take exception with your statement "America has never witnessed such a movement where young people were so aware, alert and excited about making a difference in their country." Perhaps if you were to Google groups like SDS, SNCC, Black Panthers, NOW, etc. you would find that there was a time in our history when young people, like yourself, were very, very alert, aware, and excited about making a difference. Yes, it has not been seen for several decades, so I congratulate you and your generation for your involvement and contributions during this election.

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