Obama’s address to America on race relations

As I sat here listening to the speech given by Sen. Obama, I was struck with the depth of hunger I feel within  my own self to experience racial healing in America. I am a white woman. I grew up in a community where I was lucky enough to go to mixed churches and have friends of all colors. And even with that blessing, I was not so naive or blind to not see the barrier that too often stood between whites and blacks.
I sit here with tears in my eyes. I long to start this national conversation – this conversation of unity and healing. I want to know and hear and understand the struggles and fears of the black community so that I can learn what my part is in bringing this nation together.
It is my hope and dream that someday when my three boys are older and begin to date and marry, should they bring home a black girlfriend, they can do so without fear and without discrimination. I hope that should they choose an African American parter for life, that my family and hers can then join together as one larger family and enjoy the love and blessings that understanding and a shared hope for the future can bring.
This is a unique moment in history where we can begin to bridge the gap and conquer the divisions that have come between the white and black communities of America. For myself, I stand with those who choose healing.