Reactions

As I stop to think about the four years that lie ahead, what strikes me as most significant is the new found energy generated and my hope that this energy will continue to inspire people to live as active members of their society. As Americans, we had a unique opportunity yesterday to do just that, and many of us participated in the act of making a decision that would affect our communities, society, and world. Let us not take that for granted, and let us also not fail to recognize those smaller decisions that we can make on a daily basis to become more actively involved in creating a better world. I recognize that much of these thoughts merely echo Obama's closing words last night, but the message is significant and it's my hope that my family, friends, and I will internalize them, make them real, and give them value.

Take a look at these signs of support for Obama in other countries:



When, as an American, do you remember cheering on a candidate that was running for an election in a foreign country? For the majority of people, I would argue probably never. We must start to recognize our role in the world and begin to make decisions that are not just beneficial for Americans, but for all of humanity. Perhaps last night was the first step to that, let's just hope that our subsequent steps are soon to follow.

Time has collected reactions from various world leaders/thinkers, from Malaysia to Kenya. See them here.

And for anyone that feels that last night was a demonstration of how far we have come, let the passing of Proposition 8 in California be a reminder of how far we have to go.

To those who gave support to Obama, whether it be by talking with your friends and family about the election or by crossing state lines to ensure that voters' rights were protected or by volunteering to drive people to the polls, I say thank you and let's move forward with greater energy than before.