Today I bumped into an Italian man who has lived in this country for 30 years. Since I can still speak some Italian from my college year in Florence, I started a conversation.

He spoke about what has changed in Italy, his mom, how he met his wife. And he told me he became an American citizen when Obama was elected.

He said that he knew he would finally be accepted as a real American because this country elected a black man  - Obama - as its president. Now he could feel accepted, too.

“He is the smartest man we ever had as president. And now he has accepted everyone when he (Obama) said he supports marriage for everybody,” said my Italian acquaintance.

“He is a man who is smart and has a good heart.”

It is a good time for all – all people, no matter how they define themselves – to be a citizen of the United States.

(S-R archives photo)

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