We Also Have A Dream

The US presidential election has made history.

Barack Obama has given the world a lot of surprises, hopes and expectations for the future world.

Undeniably, as the key person that strongly advocates change, Obama is filled with an aura of indescribable charm. His speeches are similar in momentum as those by the civic rights pioneer of the 60s, Martin Luther King Jr, so powerful and charismatic.

His latest victory speeches have not only been enthralling, but also flushing with magical verbal charms, as well as revelations and inspirations.

Three months ago, during the night after he clinched the nomination as Democratic presidential candidate, he said, "16 months ago, we stood on the steps of the old state capitol in Springfield, Illinois. That was the beginning of our struggle together. We have later travelled thousands of miles, listening to different voices. You said Washington must change, and you said it's going to be different this year. You chose not to be overcome by suspicions and fears, but listen to the desires of your hearts. It's because of this vision that we could walk this historical journey together. Tonight, this journey is going to end, and a new journey will begin. And our goal is a new and beautiful tomorrow for America...

"The way ahead is long and winding, and in the face of such challenges... I believe as long as we are willing to work hard and stand firm by our belief, several years later, we can tell our children and grandchildren: at this moment, we have realised medical cover and labour insurance for all; at this moment, the rising sea level begins to recede and the Earth begins to recuperate; at this moment, the so-called war has been ended; America's security is protected, and America as the world's ultimate and best hope and image is being restored. At this moment, we are united once again, to rebuild this great nation, where we have our best and our loftiest aspirations..."

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"We have a dream, that some day all the people in Malaysia, regardless of race, will enjoy equality; and that they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character, to construct a beautiful dream of a truly great nation!"

Three months later, Barack Obama realised his presidential dream. In the election night rally, the speech he delivered to some one million supporters remained that inspiring and intoxicating.

He said, "If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

"Americans who sent a message to the world... we are, and always will be, the United States of America...

"And where we are met with cynicism and doubt and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can."

The president-elect also made a special mention of 106-year-old Atlanta voter Ann Nixon Cooper.

"She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing: Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old. She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons--because she was a woman and because of the colour of her skin."

His inspiring victory speech has sunk many of us into deep sighs.

Why a nation that merely 146 years ago was practising slavery and racial segregation policies could produce a black president today?

Why a street rogue, a teenager addicted to alcohol and marijuana could become the president of the world's most powerful nation?

What have made it possible for Americans to create history, and for Obama to create miracles?

When Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated on 4 April 1968, did any American ever imagine that King's prediction that "America would produce the first black president in under 40 years" would be fulfilled exactly after 40 years?

1963, Martin Luther King Jr delivered his awe-inspiring speech--I Have A Dream--which included this famous paragraph: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character."

It is undeniable that racial discrimination is still very much alive in the United States today, but Obama's victory has at least shown that more and more white Americans have today transcended the racial divide, looking not at "the colour of skin" but "the content of character," and constructing the "American Dream" together with their black compatriots.

And behind this great and marvellous "American Dream" is not only the tolerance of Americans, but their spirit to dare to think and change. It also embodies equality, tolerance, multiculturalism, openness and other precious traits in the American politics.

As we admire and look with much envy the "American Dream," We can't refrain ourselves from yelling out: "We also have a dream, that some day all the people in Malaysia, regardless of race, will enjoy equality; and that they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character; to construct a beautiful dream of a truly great nation!" (By LIM MUN FAH/Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Sin Chew Daily)

MySinchew 2008.11.07