In this defining moment, as history is rewritten and the world looks on at the dawning of a new day, we as a nation, as a people, need to ask ourselves: What lessons can we take from the just-concluded 2008 United States presidential election, in which the first African American, Barack Obama, won in a convincing style?

What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter, took on even greater meaning on the night of November 4, 2008. As I watched the over 250,000 well-wishers celebrate Barack Obama's vitory in Chicago, I was forced to consider Jamaica's motto 'out of many one people.'

Lessons learnt

I mused at the many lessons to be learnt. First, that of respect of self and thy neighbour, of conflict resolution and working together as a people in the spirit of patriotism - to list a few.

We, as a people, have copied so much from the USA and my wish, my prayer and hope are that as a nation with resolve, we too, will demonstrate that we are can live and work as one people.

Do we as a nation have the capacity to run our elections, be they local or national, and free of violence? How many persons were killed during the 21 gruelling months leading up to the US elections? We all can agree that both candidates fought hard with the full backing of their supporters, campaigning even on the very day of the election. People felt free to vocalise their preferences without fear for their lives.

Unforgettable

On that night, November 4, 2008, a night never to be forgotten, the American people celebrated as one. Democrats were not told to hurry home to avoid roadblocks and looting because 'a black man time', and Republicans are not going to accept the change in the status quo.

Spontaneous were the celebrations and there were no gun salutes or burning of tyres! So high were the emotions it was difficult to hide the tears of joy of some famous and some not so famous. As we viewed those at Grand Park, it was clear the celebrants did not have to worry about invading their neighbours' space. Can we ever get there? Like President-elect Obama, yes, we can!

I am, etc.,

HORACE WILDES

(President, St Ann Chamber of Commerce)

horace_wildes@jmmb.com

Runaway Bay, St Ann

Via Go-Jamaica