I'm seriously crying tears of joy here. America is a country I can finally be proud to be in, a country that, once again, is the land of the free and the home of the brave. We have proven indeed how "elastic" we can be, how quickly we can adapt, and ready we are to change. This can only be beneficial, not only here but abroad as well, both in how we are perceived internationally as well as the relationships we have with those countries we might just be able to call friends again. Goodness, I'd be proud to say I'm American the next time I travel. This world might actually get better.
Overwhelming hope of a global turning point"From the streets of Arab capitals to the chancelleries of Europe, from the African interior to the favelas of South America, the world overwhelmingly delighted in Barack Obama's victory, seeing in it a moment that promises a turning point and the chance of reconciliation.
Some compared it to Nelson Mandela's ascent in South Africa or the fall of the Berlin wall. Others spoke of a watershed for America, and even for the world. Kenya declared a national holiday in honour of its most famous son, and the town of Obama in Japan went berserk. Mandela himself said Obama's victory demonstrated that no one in the world should be reluctant to dare "to dream of wanting to change the world for a better place".
"We are sure you will ultimately achieve your dream of making the United States of America a full partner in a community of nations committed to peace and prosperity for all," he said in a congratulatory letter to the victor.
European leaders outdid each other with superlatives. For France's Nicolas Sarkozy, it was a "brilliant victory", a moment in which "the American people have chosen change, openness and optimism". The European commission president, José Manuel Barroso, spoke of a "turning point" for America, and added: "It may also be a turning point for the world." Germany's chancellor, Angela Merkel, wished the new president "luck, success and God's blessing", while a spokesman for the Pope expressed hope that Obama "can fulfil the expectations and hopes that many have in him".
Africans were even more jubilant, seeing in Obama's victory the conquest over a prejudice that still scars a continent. Nigeria's president, Umaru Yar'Adua, said the moment "has finally broken the greatest barrier of prejudice in human history". Kofi Annan, the former UN secretary general, saw in the election result "America's extraordinary capacity to renew itself and adapt to a changing world".
India's prime minister, Manmohan Singh, said Obama's journey would inspire "not only in your country but also around the world"."
Black people respond to Barack Obama's US presidential election success"Joe Benjamin, who was wrapped in a colourful cloak and carrying his shopping in a bag at the end of a staff, said he would wait to see how Obama panned out.
He said: "I come from another era - I think in terms of summers and I'm heading into my 72nd. I'm still part of the struggle. I remember when Nelson Mandela came out of prison. I think Obama may not do much, we'll see. He brings change but he won't do anything rash. It's good for history though."
He added: "I'm from Bermuda, I came here in 66. We still haven't had an Asian or black prime minister. Europeans are different and in the UK it's make believe. America is more liberal.
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Across the Caribbean, Luis Aquino, a security guard in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, described the victory as "especially valuable" for Latin America.
"It is historic and a blow against racism," he said. "People don't talk about it much, but there is racism in many parts of Latin America, especially Brazil ... To see a black man in the White House is something to cheer."
In Paris, however, optimism was tempered by the widespread belief that it couldn't happen in France. "Don't get me wrong, I hope he'll do good things, go into fewer wars, that kind of thing," said Amir Baroui, a 28-year-old shopkeeper of Tunisian origin. "But it's not the same here. In France - well, you saw it with Ségolène [Royal, the defeated presidential candidate] last year: we don't want women and we don't want blacks or Arabs or anyone who isn't white."
But for some, the sight of a black man in the White House remained an unshakeable inspiration. Omar Aidera, 15, hadn't heard the news but smiled when told Obama had won. "One day," he said, pausing to extract his iPod earphones, "one day it will all have changed.""
