Day 4 of 2008 DNC: The saviour of dreamers

The fourth and final day of the convention: salvation! I feel saved; and naturally, I am overjoyed.  – Sen. Obama’s acceptance speech lifted my spirit like no other speech has ever done. He is truly remarkable in his bravery to have promised what he did.

What moved me most beyond the specifics of his promises is his bigger than life commitment to pursue a bigger than life transformation of American politics and society. He gives me strength to carry on carrying on. He enables me to dream my own dream, to find the courage to remain loyal to it despite the odds as I and others see them.

No career counselor can touch him.

And no other politician in recent memory, either.

Not even Bill Clinton who never became an authetic speaker for me. I never related related to the spirit of the things he said; maybe because I am colored and defiend by my experience as a Filipino immigrant, as “Other”.

But Obama is unique. I see part of me in him beyond the color of his skin. Like me, he came from humble beginnings. Like me, he had an audacious dream. And despite the odds he did not give up. He kept going. He kept going until he inspired others to dream like he dreams.

To me he is more than a role model. To me, he is a savior for other dreamers who have nothing but the burning desire to be the best version of themselves.

He is a compelling example. He is Success so sharp that other dreamers are now better equipped to combat a lifetime of discouraging words.