Overpowering Selflessness

I watched the tears stream down many faces tonight. Their backgrounds, as similar or different as they may be, shared in hearing many powerful narratives delivered at Denver's Democratic National Convention tonight. It was a testament to our will to strive to better ourselves and those around us. This is the root of the Democratic Party and why I'm so proud to support it.

The night's keynote speaker was Michelle Obama, our next First Lady. Any innuendo that she is "bitter" or "cold" should immediately be withdrawn. Her life's story is extremely enriching and empowering. First, I was impressed by those closest to Michelle who described the type of person she is. What struck me is something that I fought for growing up. At one point, her brother, Craig Robinson, an educator and men's basketball coach at Oregon State University brought up an interesting antecdote.

When they were young and supposed to be at sleep, Michelle would ask him who was having a hard time at school. They would talk about it, and Michelle set her sights to reach out to these people. Her strength, courage, and compassion at this moment never subsided. She reached out to those who were ostracized or feeling left out then, just like she continues to do so today. It's this strength that inspires me to do the same, whether it has been through journalism stints that led to engaging people about those who face overwhelming odds or setting my sights on future endeavors that might include public service.

One man stepped up to the podium tonight who has overcome so many tragedies and triumphs -- Sen. Ted Kennedy. Undergoing extensive treatment for a brain anneurism, he still had plenty of his fiery passion to attend this event. The Kennedy family over the years have been my champions. No one exemplifies that more today than Ted. He has never backed down in his more than 40 years of service in the Senate to champion health care and education reform. And through all this tiring work, he still sets time aside for his family and even strangers who are in dire need. A picture of Ted should be in the dictionary next to public servant.

These stories heard tonight -- working to pay your way through college, parents working very long hours to ensure their children attend college, organizing community groups to build homes and businesses, and sharing a vision that this country can provide opportunities if we strive for them, all are a part of my personal experiences. My father remains to this day the only one out of his rural Nebraska's high school class to leave the state. He also has worked long hours and ensured my brother and I receive his attention by way of vacation, sporting events, and time spent together. A relative of mine attended this event tonight as a delegate. What an event it must've been to see it firsthand.