I'm voting for Barack Obama. I've been meaning to write this post for a while. Call it my official endorsement. I'm not Oprah, nor am I Caroline Kennedy, but I realize that I do have this little website. As long as I have an audience, and what I hope is a modest degree of influence, I want to share with everyone that I'm supporting Barack Obama for President of the United States, and urge others to do the same.
I'll admit it. I'm attracted to Obama's fundamental message of inclusion, hope and progressive change. He's built a campaign on cross-cultural, multi-generational grassroots movements and community building, and I believe he reflects what this nation needs—a radical change in direction of this country.
It's a wayward ship, a broken record, a busted machine. I can no longer stand by idly and let the old political guard make the same old wack decisions for me. This election will be about how we will bring change, and for the first time in a long time (ever?), we're seeing the possibility that this race could be about something other than political dynasties and old white dudes.
Yes, I've been swept up by the positive energy of the movement and the true enthusiasm my fellow Asian Americans have dedicated to this campaign. Lately I've been hearing a lot of detractors refer to this message of "hope" and "change" as negative buzzwords, like we've all been suckered into believing in Obama's positive jive. If that's the case, so be it. Call me a sucker. I can't see what's the problem in having the audacity to believe that things could be different for a change. This is a time to come together, leave behind the things that divide us, and work towards the true change we wish to see.
For more information on Asian Americans and Obama, go here, here and here. I'll be revisiting this in the days and weeks to come, but I just thought I'd get it out there and let you know. Barack Obama for President.