This is a translation of the article that was published in the Russian Newspaper “Argumenti I Fakti” (Arguments and facts):

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The Inauguration of 44^th President of the USA will be held on January 20^th. In November of 2008 Americans made truly historical choice – first time in history of their country black candidate became the President of their country.

And shortly after the November events in America our Newspaper “Argumenti I Fakti” (Arguments and Facts), Kamchatka edition, received a letter from abroad written by our country-woman, Far-Eastern born, Svetlana Potton (maiden name Drozdova). We would like to share this letter with our readers.

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Well, now emotions have slightly calmed down, and the information in regards of presidential elections began to embed into my apolitical mind.

Those who remember me from 90’s quite likely know that despite of my profession as a journalist, I never had a great interest in politics, and was a last reporter in line that needed almost a literate kick in the rear end in order to send me for coverage of some political events such as election. My bosses at the Khabarovsk State TV/Radio periodically scolded me for not reading political columns in newspapers and, consequently, for being nearly clueless about the political world. My credo at that time was entertainment. I had experienced inconceivable joy by making my way through the ticketless crowds and through the guarded doors by waving my magic red covers of the Press representative to any concert, and then by convincing celebrities to give me interviews. In Vladivostok I interviewed Kostya Kintchev (Band “Alica”), and Michael Borzykin (Band “TV”). Besides the rock-n-roll singers I had an amusing interview with the famous mimes of the show “Licedi”. In Petropavlovsk-Kamchatka I talked to Katya Semenova, and did the reporting from a concert of the group “Machina Vremeni (Time Machine)”. My chief of the news department in Khabarovsk at that time especially appreciated my interview with Alexander Politkovskii, one of the leaders of the popular show at that time “Vzglyad (Opinion)”. Taking all of that into consideration most of you would probably understand that it was simply impossible for me to be intrigued by something as boring as elections at such thrilling way of a reporter’s life. Although that reporter was still a callow youth, and that reporter was not stricken yet by many failures. The life for me then was full of excitement, turbulent like a boiling geyser; and there was no room for tedious politics.

So, what have happened? What changed? Why now, in my 40’s, I have suddenly displaced my indifference for politics, and with the feeling of pride and dignity of the American-Russian citizen simply almost sprinted to the presidential elections? With a pounding heart from excitement I have galloped at full speed, nearly racing, if I may say, other Americans to give my voice for democrats. Or, God forbid, what if the deficit of my particular vote would affect the election, and would not allow victory over the republicans? No, seriously, did they really disturb me in my life? Basically, I will say yes, it seems they did. Having survived once the deepest economical crisis in Russia in 90’s, and having immigrated to the USA, I did not expect that here, after going through extreme physical and emotional efforts of getting back on my feet, I would suddenly be threatened to lose it all again. After already established career as a journalist in Russia I had to begin absolutely from scratch in the USA: raise my child, going back to school to be a nurse, and here we go again – crisis …

On November, 4th, 2008 after placing my vote for Barrack Obama I came to the bar-restaurant “The House of Blues” to join democrats of the San Diego city, multiple fans of the young presidential candidate. Whatever media wrote about Obama’s and McCain’s doctrines, from my point of view it did not matter much. The skin color of candidates has played a great role in this battle. At least to say in support of my statement, I did not make it up, but according to statistics, 95 % of Afro-Americans had given their votes for Оbama. My Afro-American brother-in-law, who by profession is a prosecutor, and devoted republican, nonetheless, even he had a bumper-sticker on his car stating: “Republicans for Obama”. Hence, in the evening of November 4th in the above mentioned bar the full democracy was reigned. Friendly patrons of all races were presented in this bar. After mingling a bit with the crowd I have managed to find a truly luxurious sitting spot, in the center of a large room, on a soft couch at front of a huge plasma-screen TV where the last moments of occurring elections were broadcasted. Every time when vote counts in any of the states were closing, and conclusive figures appeared on the screen in favor of Barrack Obama, people simply filled the room with victorious shouts. Even an elderly white woman that was sitting between me and her excited gray-haired spouse, periodically pressed her body closely against me and spraying her saliva over my ear feverishly exclaimed: “Finally! Finally it happened! At last there will be no more of this Bush!” To me it was certainly interesting to observe this entire celebratory picture, but personally somehow I wasn’t feeling wild enough in order to jump and shout, as it was done by many inspired fans.

However, when Obama himself came to the podium, been so simple, so calm, with normal, please notice, natural smile, instead of habitual for America whitetoothed grin, our crowd in the bar instantly silenced. Nobody wished to miss even one word from the newly elected president. Following Obama came out his wife, Michel (in rather original, by the way, dress combined of black and bright red colors, that later has caused subsequently some controversial reaction in media) with their two small daughters in red and black dresses as well. All this looked very touching and solemnly. Then new Mr. President began talking. People had simply rejoiced, both in Chicago, and in our bar-restaurant in San Diego. He spoke easily, without any verbal twists. He thanked us, simple people, for our support. He said that the entire world now can be convinced that our democracy is real. He was talking, and I was looking. I looked at this black man who won in extreme political battle, and mixed feelings began overflowing my heart, forcing treacherous tears filling my eyes.

At this moment I was thinking about his mother. I also was thinking about my black son, Maxim.  Fifteen years ago, my friends at that time having learned that I, a white Russian woman, became pregnant with black child, all of them as one had tried to persuade me: “Do not do it. Get rid of him before he is born. Think about it, in fact he will grow up, and he will probably like black girls, and perhaps he will even marry a black woman. You will end up having black grandchildren.” Later on in life I had to endure even worst statements. During my visit to St. Petersburg one of the colleagues-journalists, having learned that my child is Afro-American, did not hesitate and gave me the whole lecture on harm of blood-mixing. However, it was beyond her comprehension that my child is fluent in two languages from the cradle, and that he is a good looking boy, healthy, also witty, clever, attending gifted programs, and receiving awards for academic achievements… I was looking at Obama, at this brilliant speaker to whom the greater half of all America, if not all world at the moment was applauding; and I thought of his mother, to whom, for certain, people told the same things, that I happened to listened to, if not worst. Yes, everything happened as predicted: her son Barrack has grown, married an Afro-American woman, has brought into the world two charming girls, and now he became the President of the United States of America. I was crying with joy for him, with pride for the people that had stepped over the barrier of racism, and for the hope of much brighter future of my black child, who by the way also, just like me, is the owner of two passports: Russian and American. Therefore, who knows, maybe, subsequently he will also become the first black president of the democratic Russia.

Svetlana Potton (maden name: Drozdova)