President Barack Obama

Obama home in Chicago

Obama election rally-Chicago

Obama election rally-Chicago

I feel so fortunate to be here in Chicago at this moment. On Tuesday I went to Grant Park and was able to witness undoubtably one of the most amazing moments in certainly American, but also world history. It made me so proud to be an American after years of feeling somewhat guilty for our country's policies in this world. I've supported Obama for a long time and the significance of him being the first African-American to be president never really hit me until last night as I saw him come on stage. I cried and even now when I think of it, it is very emotional. I was thinking today how use I and probably a lot of people are to the failures of our government that I think it will be very pleasently suprising to many how much good a man like Barck Obama will be able to accomplish. As I walked back after the rally with hundreds of thousands of people through the streets of Chicago I felt we were approaching a turning point in this world, and I praise G-d that I am where I am and at the age I am (with my whole life in front of me), that I am able to be a part of this. Thank you Barack Obama, thank you America.

Finally!

So I've been thinking for a couple of days what I should write as this is my first entry of my first blog. Not really having a theme I just waited to see what would happen that I felt was meaningful enough to write about. (So here it is) I was just watching CNN and this anchor Cambell Brown was speaking. She spoke about something that I have been thinking about since this whole situation started and I've been really frustrated about. I don't know if many people in America have noticed (besides Muslims or people from the Middle-East) but words like Muslim or Arab have become something negative. This whole idea where people question if Barack Obama is a Muslim or where he's from, makes me want to say "SO WHAT!". "Who cares? Why should that make any difference at all? I mean I expect it from hard-core conservatives or fundamentalist Christians, but it's not just them. Even the media, while not saying it themselves, always acts like it is an attack or something not to be associated with. That's why I'm glad she finally said something. I'm not here to defend Islam, because I not think me or anyone should have to, just like because someone is Christian I wouldn't expect them to answer to certain elements in their religion. Which speaking of, makes me want to say a few things about. These fundamentalist pastors who associate everything from the middle-east and the Arab world as unholy completely aggravate me. Where do you think your Jesus was from? Here's a hint: not America. And I gaurantee you he didn't look like you either. Do you think your scriptures were written in English? I mean you want to convert the entire world to Christianity on the one hand while condemning whole swaths of the planet with the other. Just because something is Arab doesn't make it Islamic, and even so if something is there isn't anything wrong with that.

I'm glad that I go to a school were there are people from all over the world (UIC) and plenty from Muslim countries. I think it's great to get to people from all over, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to do so, and I think I'm better for it. But even if you've lived around people just like you your whole life, that's no excuse. People need to start seeing this for what is is, and that's pure racism. Not any better than all that has gone on throughout history. Wake up. Certaintly if you believe in G-d you don't believe He made you an American or European or whatever, he made us all humans. I don't want to sound sentimental or anything, but we're all brothers and sisters. And if there was one thing I would change about this world it would be for all people to see that.

-Thanks

Afterword: As for my religion, I'm sure it's something I'll address in the future, but basically I'm spiritual, I believe in G-d, I'm not that religous though, not Christian, Muslim or Jewish or anything else, I guess I'm just on my own path right now but I don't feel like I need to be in any rush.