New President

I don't know anything about politics, but I am excited about the fact we have the first African American President. Where I live, I am very much in the minority. There are many people that respect or are at least curious about my race, but there are just as many people that needlessly and negatively judge me based on their limited views of other cultures. In my very short workforce experience, someone didn't want to count my Japanese high school and college diploma, because she thought Japan is still an undeveloped country. Someone yelled at me why I, as a foreigner, had a job, but him as a citizen did not. Now, people still look down on me because of my skin color. Many of you guys don't know, because it wouldn't happen if I were with you. When I am out and about by myself or with Amalie, I get treated very differently, than when I am with a white person. I know it is hard to believe, because you probably don't know anyone that is racist towards Asians, but that could be because like-minded people tend to find each other. Well, my point is President Obama won through all the small things against him. I admire his intelligence and guts. I just hope Amalie's life will be a little easier in the future from many aspects.

アメリカで初めてアフリカンアメリカンの大統領が誕生しました。今日は、朝から夕方までテレビに釘付けでした。政治のことはあまり分からないし選挙権もないのだけれど、多くの白人の人たちがオバマ大統領を選んで支えている事がとてもうれしいのです。毎日の生活の中で差別を感じる事は日常で、しかも、ライアンやお友達と共に行動しているときには普通の対応でも、海璃と私でお出かけな日には本当に嫌な事はたくさんあります。それはなかったことにしながら生きていけばいいのですが、学校やお仕事の世界では出る杭は打たれるどころかチャンスも与えてもらえない事もあるのです。どんなにがんばっても凡人の私には無理とあきらめてしまった事もたくさん。オバマ大統領がそんなたくさんの向かい風に打ち勝って今日があることってなんてすばらしいのでしょう。これからのアメリカが政治的にも、経済的にも、社会的にも良い方向に向かっていくことを切に願うばかりであります。海璃の将来が少しでも彼女にとって優しいものでありますように。