natursyn.dk

Last night I witnessed how people in Santa Cruz celebrated the historic election of an African-American as president of the United States. Thousands of people gathered in the streets, cheering, smiling and dancing after Barack Obama had held his speech in Chicago. It was very touching to watch.

Santa Cruz is among the most liberal counties in the US as 78 % of the voters cast their ballot for Obama. In the entire state of California 76 % of the 18-to-29-year-old supported him. In comparison only 36 % of young voters supported Obama in Alaska, my former state.

In spite of the enormous task ahead for Americans to make their country a place of equal opportunity, I find comfort and hope in the words that Obama spoke last night quoting from Lincoln: ‘Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.’ May this also be the opportunity to set a new path for taking better care of this planet.

The complete transcript of his speech can be found here.

I also took a video of downtown Santa Cruz yesterday.