But watching him give his victory speech, listening to him evoke feelings of hope, change and possibility, I am suddenly melancholic. I can't help but feel just a little bit sad.
Sad because America has now shifted political directions for the better, while Philippine politics remains the same.
Sad because America is evolving, while the Philippines is not.
Sad because a Black man, a minority, and from all indications NOT a rich man, can become President of the United States; while minorities in the Philippines and people who are NOT rich, cannot become President.
Sad because America has a leader they can be proud of, while we, for the time being, do not.
Sad because America's elections is bloodless with no deaths or guns or goons, while our own elections involve goons, guns, gold, vote-buying and fertilizer scams.
Sad because America now has hope, while we remain hopeless.
Not only am I sad, but I am also envious. One man is galvanizing America for the better. Here in the Philippines, we have no such man. Or at least, not yet. Where's that man? Where's our change? Where's our hope? Where's our Obama?
I guess we'll find out in 2010.
(You can contact Kelvin at kelvinlesterlee@gmail.com or through his blog at www.kelvinlesterlee.wordpress.com)
