‘Dennis’, commenting on one of my favourite music blogs, complained today: ‘Oh no. Is this yet another arts/music/culture blog that falls from what used to be a welcome respite from the incessant political din?’
I know where Dennis is coming from, but this wasn’t simply another election. This one was important. The result was momentous, empowering, inspiring. Here in Australia, when Obama claimed victory (early afternoon on Wednesday for us) the excitement in the office where I work was palpable. The few who were American or who’d worked in the States were beaming and proclaiming it a great day for America. The rest were smiling just as much, because it’s a great day for the world.
In a sense, Dennis is right, and my “arts/music/culture blog” isn’t going to offer any special insight into the US election, for all that I’ve been following it with interest and hope. Perhaps I too should be offering respite from the din.
But it’s one of those days where I feel I can’t possibly write about anything else. There’s simply no appropriate response other than to say again, it’s a joyous day.
PS. Many thanks to the chained bear for this link.