Faithful People  

As I listened to President-Elect Obama's words on election night, simultaneously wishing I were in Grant Park and thankful to be able to go straight to bed after a long day of getting out the vote, I was struck by how he seemed almost somber.  Sure, he smiled and waved, but by his tone, the weight of his new responsibilities suddenly came to bear on me.  I am so hopeful for his leadership and believe so strongly in his abilities to build coalitions to accomplish great things, yet with such great challenges in the present and near future, will he succeed?

Towards the end of his remarks, Obama fell into a cadence that had a familiar feel:  an historical event experienced by 106-year-old Ann Nixon Cooper and a highlight of history, followed by the exhortation, "Yes we can."  As he listed victories and advancements--women's suffrage, coming through the Great Depression, destructing the Berlin Wall--my hope for Obama's presidency was bolstered.  Much has been accomplished in the past; much will be accomplished in the future.  Our future is bright, I thought.

Obama's repetition of his campaign slogan was reminiscent of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s famous call to "let freedom ring" from all corners of the nation, even those most resistant to allowing freedom for people of color.  Though this address was given before my time, I imagine King's exhortation engendered great hope for supportive listeners as well, similar to my response to my president-elect's statement of belief:  "Yes we can."

There is a difference, however, between "let freedom ring" and "yes we can."  It demonstrates the social shifts of the past 40 years, what has been done and what has been left undone.  "Let freedom ring" is a call to the universe, a prayer to God, a demand on those in power to allow justice to "roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream."  In contrast, "yes we can" is addressed to me, a twenty-something full-time parent in Cincinnati.  "Yes we can" is hope placed in our own efforts, divinely inspired still, I believe, yet inclusive of all citizens' actions.  "Yes we can" places the onus for success on me, my family, my community.

The question becomes, then, not will President Obama succeed, but will we?