Yes We Can

My grandfather is in his eighties. He's lived through WWII, Vietnam, the Civil Rights Movement, the assassination of JFK, and 9/11. I've never really talked about those things with him, all those historical events he's witnessed. Mostly we talk about his health, my classes, his garden, the people in the community. My grandpa is one of the sweetest men you will ever meet, and our conversations are equally sweet, comforting, familiar.

My mother was born in 1951, and she too lived through milestones in history. She would tell me how when she was a little girl and would go shopping with my grandma, she would see water fountains marked "colored." She knew about racism; she lived in a very conservative town in North Carolina, of course she saw it every day. My mother was a teacher, and she taught her students (of which I was one) the importance of being respectful, dignified, tolerant. She was the image of grace.

Now in 2008 there is less than a month until the election in which Barack Obama is poised to become the first African-American president. I am thrilled that I have had the opportunity to be a part of history, to contribute to Obama's campaign, to support him to the finish line. I wish my mother could be here with me to watch this in motion. Even though I mourn the fact that she is not here, I am extremely grateful that my grandpa is. He's lived through all the racism of the south and can now go to the polls on November 4th and cast his vote for a black man.

He is most definitely supporting Obama. My grandpa has always been a staunch Democrat, but I know that he's supporting Obama for the strength of his character and not just his party affiliation. He actually opened up and discussed the election the other day, and I was so excited to hear him talk about Obama, and how much he believes in him. I know the polls say that mostly younger people such as myself are the ones who are going to vote for Obama, but I am pleased to say that my grandpa is too. Together we will vote and change history.

Yes we can.