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Post | 11/05/2008 10:00 am

Whoopi Goldberg: We Have Finally Become Part of the Fabric of the United States of America

By Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg

A moment about history.

Tonight as I watched the numbers come in, I was cautiously optimistic that there would be a big change — but I wasn’t fully convinced. And then I called my mom, and the numbers kept changing and moving forward, and I said to her, “Ma, did you ever in your life think you would see this day?” And she said emphatically, “No. I never thought I’d live to see this day.” And it surprised me because my mom is the most optimistic person that I know and it never occurred to me that this was something she was hoping for. Not just because it was a black candidate, but because it meant that anything was again possible in the United States of America.

I’m being black about his, I’m celebrating in my heart and I have screamed out of my window. I realized that for probably the first time in my life, in thinking about myself as an American, it occurred to me that this is really our arrival in the country that said everything was possible. We have finally become part of the fabric of the United States of America. This is just strictly speaking as a black person. It would be very difficult not to talk about the thrill of that part of it because 160 years have gone by and we have finally come to the place where we are ready for leaders and ready to look at leaders as men and women and perhaps not by their color. But it is the first time it has happened so folks should not be surprised that black folks are really, really happy about this.

On John McCain — whose speech was so beautiful, so brilliant, and so heartfelt, and so American. I wish that he had been that person throughout this campaign because that’s the John McCain that I respect and have always respected and had great joy about. I was thrilled at the way he handled himself but moreover how he handled the crowd who began to boo, and he said, “No, that’s not what it is. Tomorrow I wake up and I am in the service of my country.” It is an amazing and beautiful concession speech. Something we have not heard for such a long time.

The negativity that surrounded this campaign was extraordinary. But I do believe that somehow this young man, Barack Obama, is going to reach his arms out to the nation and embrace us as one, as the United States of America, the truly beautiful gem in the world, the great nation that we are. And he, I think, for now at least in this moment, has made us a better country, has made us a better people. And somehow the youth of America got it. And they dropped all their peripheral stuff that we always kvetch about them doing. They dropped all the BS and got out there and made their voices heard. And people now recognize that the youth of America is a force to be reckoned with. And when you look at these shining faces that look up and look at each other as not black or white or any of these things but as Americans, it is a sigh of a relief that I can’t remember having in such a long time. Whether you are a republican or a democrat or an independent tonight, I don’t think there was anyone in the country who didn’t realize that something magnificent happened. God bless us all, God bless America, the America that can be.

Read more about: African American, Barack Obama, Election 2008, History, John McCain, News, Politics, president
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357 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Penny Dowdy

I am too young to remember Kennedy, Johnson, Dr. King, and the Civil Rights movement, but I read and learned and continue to. This election made me feel electric, much like my father felt in the ’60s. I pray that we look back on this period of history with the same pride and optimism as he does then. Just imagine what Americans can do!

By Penny Dowdy on 11/05/2008 10:17 am
Susan B

Penny, I can remember Kennedy, Dr. King, Johnson and the Civil Rights Movement, and I can promise you that this is a moment in your life that you will never forget, and it is also something that will be “stuck to you” for the rest of your life. You have been blessed with an amazing opportunity, new hope and a inspiring leader who can truly bring us to do great things. Be happy today and savor the moment. Tomorrow, we need to get to work.

By Susan B on 11/05/2008 2:44 pm
Frannie Em

Whoopi

You made me cry. I am happy for you and for all the fulfilled hearts. I hear people say that they never thought they would live long enough to see this happen. I was truly surprised by that. I can understand that the elderly might say that, but deep down, I always knew it would happen. Just as I know that there will be a woman for president one day. Why not? I always knew Americans had it in their hearts. We have always had big hearts. There are the sad and unlucky fringe, tainted with deep ignorance, but they cannot destroy who we are. It wasn’t only the youth that did it, they pushed the numbers further, but it was every age group and every color and gender. And it was someone who within himself, knew there was possibility, it just takes one little flame to light a burning fire.

By Frannie Em on 11/05/2008 11:38 pm
Frannie Em

PS Whoopi

We know you are black, LOL, and we like you being black about this.

By Frannie Em on 11/06/2008 12:03 am
Nan S

Penny,

I remeber it all. What a wonderful time this is for America. now maybe people will except that we are ALL
the same here.. I was alittle part of civil rights.. As a white girl in that time I was frowned on.. Didn’t care..
Today I celebrate…. God Bless our new President… CHANGE IS GREAT

By Nan S on 11/05/2008 5:37 pm
Brenda Kiser

I, too, was a white girl in the South who became a part of the civil rights movement and horrified my family and friends, but it was worth it to have been a part of something so important and meaningful. I also remember the excitement at the election of John Kennedy, although I was too young to vote. I have not felt that sense of excitement and hope for a brighter tomorrow since then until two nights ago when I watched the networks announce that Barack Obama would be our next president..

Brenda K.

By Brenda Kiser on 11/07/2008 12:21 pm
Nan S

I am from Southern CA so I was shocked at what went on. I too was young but I had to stick to my beliefes My father was the only one that understood what and why I was marching.. He even drove me.. My mother and other family members were also very unhappy.. My choice, My belief My happiness.

GOD BLESS the OBAMA FAMILY

By Nan S on 11/07/2008 1:03 pm
C A Rose

Penny, I, too, remember the ‘60’s. The events are like a tatoo that I carry with me through my life. Believe me when I say that this election of 2008 will leave a life shaping impression on your soul. Now you must carry this new mantel of responsibility forward to future generations of Americans. I’ve been carrying mine for 40+ years, and God willing I will carry my own weight along with you for 40 more years into a better, brighter future for all Americans. CA

By C A Rose on 11/05/2008 9:33 pm
Patti Viscardi

I am so proud of my country, and I have not enjoyed this feeling in a really long time. I feel like we finally do have the chance of becoming the great United States we’ve always thought we were. BTW, I’m white. I feel like I can now look at my black friends and say “finally, finally - FINALLY we are truly equal.” Now, if only I could say that to my gay friends as well… at least now I feel like that is another barrier we realistically have the chance to be rid of some time in the near future. Even tho times are harder than ever in my own memory — this is an awesome time to be alive, and to be an American. What a thing to have had the opportunity not only to witness, but to be a part of too.

By Patti Viscardi on 11/10/2008 1:01 pm
Joan Brown

When I was growing up there was racial undertones in my house. Then I watched Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner. It was then I thought that people are people. If you are black, white, dark or light, we are all the same. I thought of the hate that was surrounding my house and America. I was determined to break that circle of hate.

Now I have mixed grandchildren. I think about that and I must not have passed any message to my kids other than everyone is the same. There are good people and bad people and it’s not determined by the color of their skin.

I worked hard for Obama. I knocked on doors, talked on phones and shook hands at the polls. I didn’t think of Barack as a african american I just thought of him as a great man. As a matter of fact with the news repeating about Obama being our first black president, I LOOKED at Obama during the victory speech and whispered to the girl next to me, wow Barack is good looking. I guess I was LISTENING to what was being said and not looking at at the person.

God bless America. God bless Obama. God bless you Whoopi and enjoy this time in history. I’m just glad we all were part of this history making event.

By Joan Brown on 11/05/2008 10:21 am
Joan Brown

I’m sorry to be so wordy today but I wanted to share an e-mail I received from Obama…

Joan —

I’m about to head to Grant Park to talk to everyone gathered there, but I wanted to write to you first.

We just made history.

And I don’t want you to forget how we did it.

You made history every single day during this campaign — every day you knocked on doors, made a donation, or talked to your family, friends, and neighbors about why you believe it’s time for change.

I want to thank all of you who gave your time, talent, and passion to this campaign.

We have a lot of work to do to get our country back on track, and I’ll be in touch soon about what comes next.

But I want to be very clear about one thing…

All of this happened because of you.

Thank you, Barack

By Joan Brown on 11/05/2008 10:27 am
Tear E

Joan I had to reply to your wonderful post! As a white woman bough up in a home where my parents told me everyone is the same inside. I was shocked when I dated a black man and my parents had a fit. Mom’s reply well yeah their the same as us but you don’t marry them. There are good and bad people in every sex, color and sexual preference. I was so very happy to find out Obama did win, because if means we have moved some what away from that learned response.

We are entering a wonderful time where everyone needs to work together to overcome a lot of problems, but Obama put it right.

Yes We Can! God Bless America

By Tear E on 11/05/2008 2:06 pm
barbara young

I am soooo happy! Few things move me to break out my art supplies and “go nuts” with creativity!!! But today I’m just to inspired by the man who says’ “Yes we can”! I am looking forward to a whole-hearted America not just a weeping half-hearted nation of the past!! Today begins a new page, an exciting page in the history of us all. Whoopy, your words are heard and felt, even by such a humble, shy artist such as myself. I’M JUST SOOOO HAPPY!!!

By barbara young on 11/05/2008 10:23 am
BA S

I am so happy for you. I am happy for all of us. But I am so happy and proud that this country did this for you.

By BA S on 11/05/2008 10:24 am
Kathy Niece

I, too, had that sigh of relief…and eager anticipation that the promise of America is not just pie in the sky.

By Kathy Niece on 11/05/2008 10:27 am
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