Imagine it: President Barack HUSSEIN Obama choosing as his White House Chief of Staff Rahm ISRAEL Emanuel.  Their names reflect two historically opposed cultures yet the two barers of those middle eastern names could not be more American.  You see, in America they are just names.  And names can mean whatever you want them to mean.  As of 2008, only in America can such a thing can happen. 

Lady liberty’s torch is burning bright again summoning the world to dream about these American shores once again. I didn’t cry when Obama got elected.  Yes, I’m black and realize the historical implications of what has taken place.  Yes, he gave one of the greatest speeches I’ve ever heard.  But I didn’t shed a tear.  I’ll admit I was struck by how beautiful his family was, but the aesthetics of it didn’t bring the tears.  The full gravity of it didn’t hit me until today when I considered the Statue of Liberty.  I went to Wikipedia to examine her history and her reason for being and FLOW MY TEARS.   It was like a light went off.  America is a very special occurrence in the history of mankind.  I didn’t just notice this.. I stopped taking my liberties for granted when I lived in another country for a year. While other nations have been built on specific races, creeds and religions allowing others the gilded cage of a second class citizenship, America asks the world:  

“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”  

Our culture is unique in that it is a frame work that allows others the freedoms to enjoy theres and still be as American as everyone else.   We are not perfect.  There is no magic here.  We are people just like you.  But what sets us apart is that we are a constant work in progress that allows for unprecedented change and the audacity of hope especially in the most perilous times.