And if one voice can change a nation…it can change the world.

I have been rather quiet in the recent weeks, yet a loud cheer comming from the south is pushing me to break this silence. I chose to write it in english (hopefuly not too poorly) to dedicate it to my fellow neighbors.

I am a 23 years old Montrealer and loosely Quebecois who witnesses the cynicism and divisionism of our politicians on a daily basis. At this very moment, the people of Quebec are stuck in a fierce debate about their identity, building xenophobia and incomprehension toarwards members of other cultures, notoriously fueled by demagogic medias and unscrupulous politicians who seem to solely thrive for power. This empty discution, among others, is steering the national attention off of the major challenges that we are currently facing (global warming, global poverty, global ignorance, to name a few) and is constantly raising a sense of dissillusion among the people. Myself included.

In a not so distant past, I was an active member of the local political life, making phone calls, posting letters, attending rallies and, most importantly, trying to convince my friends and family that voting and staying informed was of capital importance. I faced a lot of opposition, more against the whole democratic process than the party I was defending and that feeling ultimatly affected me, rendering the previously idealistic young adult that I liked being into yet another cynic. In the last federal election, I even enjoyed saying that I was voting «just to pay a coffee and a donought» to the candidate. My passion for civic life was at it’s lowest.

Then, only a few weeks ago, this spark of hope lit up again in my eyes and to my great surprise, it had nothing to do with something happening in my city, in my province or in my country. It came from the other side of the border, where most of my compatriots saw very little, if anything, to dream for. Since I work in a field where I have the chance to meet a lot of young americans, I know that the image that the Bush government sent to the rest of the world is utterly erroneous. I remember with passion the witty rhymes of those hillarious kids from New Orleans; the eccstatic laugh of the girls of the «french learning club» of Uboston; the grave, yet generous manners of JFK’s students; the crazy stories of that drifter turned indie-rocker from Miami; the work of a photograph from Cali who just came back from Vietnam with his wife; along with so many others that it would take entire tomes to express the greatness of their vitality, intelligence and courage. These guys tought me, probably without noticing, that the American people had a formidable potential, yet I didn’t knew at this moment how they would develop it. Until…

Until I saw «One voice» from Barack Obama. This speech is, to me, even from the other side of the border, one of the most important historical moment of this young century…and the best is still to come! A well travelled, educated and genuinely caring candidate is nice enough, but what thrills me even more is this fabulous mouvement that you beautiful people are putting into place. I am supporting you with all my heart and am only saddened that I cannot help more. May this fifth of febuary 2008 be the begining of a new era for you and for the rest of the world.

 

An hopeful friend,

Eric Lescuyer