What Happened to the "New America"

   I have given some thought recently to the gloomy mood of our nation as we enter the election season. It was but a few years ago that we that we looked in awe and anticipation to the election of Barack Obama, as the beginning of "a new America". We heard talk of a "post-racial" America.  It was a period of enthusiastic  young people once again becoming involved in politics.  And although we knew the nation was facing a serious economic bump in the road, we had confidence in this young man and his ability to lead. I am not sure what has traspired since then, but I thought it would be interesting to look back to an article I wrote in November of 2008 to my granddaughter Stephanie... How times change...

Seeing Black in the Red, White and Blue

It was Stephanie, my 18-year-old granddaughter, on the phone calling me from Northwestern. It was the day before the 2008 presidential election.

”I’m going to Grant park tomorrow night,” she declared. You could sense the excitement in her voice.

I paused a moment and in a grandfatherly manner cautioned “There will be a huge crowd, hundreds of thousands. It might be a little risky.” (remembering the riots in that same park in '68)

"Papa!", she exclaimed.  "This is a great moment in history!  We will be there when Obama accepts the victory. I wouldn’t miss it for the world."

Photo ©2007 Susan W. Saltzman