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<DIV>Dear friends,</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The buzz all day has been about the incredible and historic election of
Barack Obama as our next president here in the USA. On the radio, in the papers,
with neighbors and family, people are expressing their disbelief, their
unbridled excitement about this transformational election. For people of color,
particularly African Americans, Obama's victory is as one put it, an act of
divinity. New Yorkers were elated and rejoicing in spontaneous celebrations
in the streets, thrilled to be transforming our country through the act of
electing a Black person to the highest office in the land. His
election ushers in not only an era of hope and change, but one of healing,
understanding and tolerance about our differences as well as our sameness.
It brings us closer to dealing with racism and xenophobia in our country
and the world. It's an astonishing occurrence, difficult to capture in one
message. Some of you have attempted to capture the significance of the
moment as well, and thank you for the messages of congratulations but I think
the congratulations are for all of us. In an interdependent world, the message
of hope and change will resonate around the globe. The ripples of this big
splash will spread across oceans reaching all corners of the world. We can all
rejoice in the goodness of this election.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>Here are a couple of articles about the international reaction:</DIV>
<DIV><EM>Election Unleashes a Flood of Hope Worldwide</EM> </DIV>
<DIV><A
href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/06/world/06worldreax.html?hp">http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/06/world/06worldreax.html?hp</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Christian Amanpour: World welcomes Obama with open arms, demands</DIV>
<DIV><A
href="http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/05/amanpour.world.challenges/index.html">http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/05/amanpour.world.challenges/index.html</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>There's also rejoicing in the win of many Democrats across
the country. Democrats have the majority in both the House of
Representatives and Senate. Three new female candidates were elected to the
US Senate and two female governors were elected, as well. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>In case you missed it - Victory speech: <A
href="http://elections.nytimes.com/2008/results/president/speeches/obama-victory-speech.html">http://elections.nytimes.com/2008/results/president/speeches/obama-victory-speech.html</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>In hope,</DIV>
<DIV>Rosa</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></FONT><BR><BR><BR><DIV CLASS="aol_ad_footer" ID="29c81175b2c305e36f621082be63944"><FONT style="color: black; font: normal 10pt ARIAL, SAN-SERIF;"><HR style="MARGIN-TOP: 10px">AOL Search: Your one stop for directions, recipes and all other Holiday needs. <a href="http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1212792382x1200798498/aol?redir=http://searchblog.aol.com/2008/11/04/happy-holidays-from-aol-search/?ncid=emlcntussear00000001
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