election.

i walked down the stairs with one of the residents that morning, heading to the breakfast table. as we met on the landing, i asked her how she was doing this morning. she looked at me, and her big beautiful smile spread across her face. “i’m doing great!” she said to me. “it’s election day!” the energy at the breakfast table was high, and intensified by the O shaped Obama biscuits. it was pretty amazing to realize the hope that obama has inspired in so many, especially among black men and women at joseph's house who can hardly believe that a black man could be allowed to lead the country. one of the guys took off to the festival center to vote and is still wearing his “I voted today!” sticker proudly on his brown leather coat. one of the cornerstone guys came over and asked me, “do you think they have an instruction book there at the poll?” i told him i didn’t think so, but that when i went to vote for the first time in PA, the volunteers working there were really helpful and told me how to do everything. “is this your first time voting?” i asked him. “yep,” he replied. amazing! a forty something year old black man, who’s spent time in prison, on the streets, in and out of rehab programs, is going out to vote with excitement, feeling like anything is possible. in so many ways, that day was a healing day, renewing my somewhat lost faith in democracy, in patriotism, and in hope for america.

i still had to go to my chorale rehearsal that night, and when i got back to joseph’s house, no one was down watching tv. i headed up to my room, a little disappointed that i was spending election night by myself when i live in the nation’s capital. so after my best friend called and told me that obama won virginia, i went downstairs again and turned on one of the news channels. one of the residents was down there setting the table for the next morning, so i helped him put out the spoons and cups as we waited. then emily called again, “obama won it!” i pulled my table setting buddy into the living room as we watched the reactions of people all over the country, crying, cheering, ecstatic, disbelieving. my friend stood in his somewhat sleep-like state, hunched over with his arms hanging down, and bounced up and down, doing a little dance and yelling hoarsely, “o-bam-a!” i paged over the intercom in the whole house, “obama won! obama won!” we went out on the porch and joined in the cheering that was erupting all over the neighborhood. cars honking, people screaming and clapping, fireworks going off… it was like new years but better. my friend brey and i walked down to 18th street in adams morgan, where the street was filled with people screaming, waving huge flags, singing the star spangled banner and playing when the saints go marching in on a random trumpet. two police cars drove into the crowds of people with their sirens on, but even that couldn’t dispel the excited crowds. eventually, the policemen drove off and left us all to our celebration. the sense of camaraderie, community, and hope was so tangible, across color and class lines. it felt so huge and new.

i know that not everyone reading this blog agrees with me or is excited that obama won the election. i know that electing a black president will not change the prejudice that lives as hatred in the hearts of many, or the racism that is deeply entrenched in the systems of our country, which i've written about before. i know that no matter how great our president elect sounds, he is not a savior; i trust in Christ alone to bring His kingdom to this earth. i also know that it’s very possible that not all that much will change, that we will be disappointed in many things that even the most hopeful president cannot yet change. yet, the hope is in the hearts of the people who are ready for something new, to believe in democracy and unity and change. and the possibility for healing and reconciliation that having a black man as our president does, to me, provide an opportunity for the Kingdom to grow. i just hope and pray that this change really will affect the lives of all Americans in a way that promotes unity, peace, and especially helps those who are poor. i know that there is a lot of fear, especially considering the state of the economy right now, about what will happen to our country, especially for those of us who aren't struggling as much and were perfectly content with the way life has been. it’s scary for me, too, a little bit to realize that i grew up living a lifestyle that benefits from tax breaks for the wealthy. am i really willing to give up my privilege, my leisure, my security so that others can eat, have affordable housing and healthcare and education? i hope that i am. God, give me strength, give us strength of conviction and the courage to follow through. please guide our country and our new leader.