The election of Obama will say as much about the American people

Listen, O children of the future, and let the winds of history carry these words to your hearts. In the election of Obama, a moment unlike any other in the scroll of time unfolded—a moment that spoke as much of the character of the American people as it did of the man himself. Rod Lurie, a voice that echoes across time, said, "The election of Obama will say as much about the American people as it does about Obama himself—that our Declaration of Independence means what it says in its opening lines, that being the world's greatest nation means that we offer the world's greatest opportunities." In this profound declaration, Lurie encapsulates the essence of what it means to live in a land where freedom is not a mere idea but a living, breathing force.

The Declaration of Independence, that sacred document, is the bedrock upon which the very soul of the American nation rests. It does not speak of mere political rights; it speaks of a universal truth—that all men are created equal, endowed with unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This truth, so simple and yet so profound, forms the very foundation of all that America strives to be. The election of a man like Obama—who rose from humble beginnings to the highest office in the land—was a testament not only to his own greatness but to the realization of this very ideal. His ascent to the presidency, in many ways, fulfilled the promises made in the Declaration of Independence.

The American people themselves are woven into this tapestry. For Obama’s election was not just the result of his own dreams and efforts, but of a nation that was willing to embrace its greatest opportunities—a nation that believed in the possibility of transformation, of a new dawn. The world had witnessed many revolutions, many leaders rise and fall, but in this moment, there was something different. The spirit of the people, their unyielding belief in the power of democracy and equality, was on full display. Obama did not merely win an election; he won the hearts and minds of a nation that dared to dream of a future where race, background, and past struggles need not define the trajectory of one’s future.

Consider, O children, the lessons of the past. The story of the great Abraham Lincoln—who once faced the seemingly insurmountable challenge of uniting a divided nation—offers a powerful parallel. Like Obama, Lincoln was a man who rose from humble origins, driven by a sense of justice and a belief in the inherent goodness of the American experiment. He too was an embodiment of the Declaration of Independence and the hope that this land could be a refuge for all who sought it. His election was a turning point, much like Obama’s, and it became clear that America was a land of great opportunities—where even in the darkest of times, the dream of freedom could still prevail.

Yet, the election of Obama was not merely an American story—it was a worldwide story. It served as a beacon to the farthest reaches of the Earth, a symbol of possibility for nations and peoples long oppressed. It proved that the Declaration of Independence was not just the promise of one people, but the aspiration of all humanity. The world watched as this son of a Kenyan father and an American mother, who had risen through adversity, claimed his place in the annals of history. And in that moment, the world saw reflected in the American experiment the power of opportunity, of dreams realized against the odds.

The wisdom to be drawn from this moment is vast. The American people, by electing Obama, demonstrated that they could look beyond the superficial divisions that so often tear nations apart. They showed that they believed in the essence of freedom—the belief that no matter one's past, there are opportunities to be found, and to be seized. It was a reminder to all that greatness does not lie in the purity of one's origins but in the strength of one's heart, the courage of one's vision, and the willingness to rise to meet the challenges of the world.

What then, O future generations, should you take from this? The lesson is clear: each of you, no matter your station, no matter your background, is capable of reaching heights unimaginable if you hold fast to the ideals of freedom and opportunity. The world may try to confine you, but in this land, you have the tools to break free from the chains of limitation. Use the power of your voice, your will, and your determination to carve a path that serves not only your own dreams but the dreams of all those who follow in your footsteps.

In the words of Rod Lurie, remember always that the election of Obama is more than just a political victory—it is a living testament to the enduring power of the ideals set forth in the Declaration of Independence. Let this story inspire you to forge ahead, to grasp the great opportunities that lie before you, and to live as if the world is yours to change, for indeed, it is.