An Historic Moment

At a time when I find it hard to convey in words the intense pride I feel -- not only over the hard-won victory of President-elect Barack Obama, but at the sincere and honourable concession speech by Senator McCain -- nothing has captured the emotions and thoughts I feel, quite like this post from my friend, Seth:

Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.

Martin Luther King Jr. 3 April, 1968

We have finally arrived Rev. King. Thank you for paving the way. I hope that we have made you proud.

“We both recognise that though we have come a long way from the old injustices that once stained our nation’s reputation and denied some Americans the full blessings of American citizenship, the memory of them still have the power to wound,” said McCain, who pledged his support and help for the new president.

Before reading Seth's poignant post, I was only able to think about Dr. King's historic speech at the 11th Southern Leadership Conference, in Atlanta, during the summer of 1967, during which he said:

“And so we still have a long, long way to go before we reach the promised land of freedom. Yes, we have left the dusty soils of Egypt, and we have crossed a Red Sea that had for years been hardened by a long and piercing winter of massive resistance, but before we reach the majestic shores of the promised land, there will still be gigantic mountains of opposition ahead and prodigious hilltops of injustice. We still need some Paul Revere of conscience to alert every hamlet and every village of America that revolution is still at hand. Yes, we need a chart; we need a compass; indeed, we need some North Star to guide us into a future shrouded with impenetrable uncertainties... Now, in order to answer the question, 'Where do we go from here?' which is our theme, we must first honestly recognise where we are now.”

Wherever we go... let us resolve tonight to go there UNITED, taking back our control and responsibility to become the change we want to see in our world.

Tears are flowing... tears of gratitude and tears of relief... an era of terror and tyranny has ended.

Morning has broken.

Namasté!