To preface, I first heard Barack Obama speak in Vegas in the early spring of 2007. Since that sunny afternoon at the Clark County Amphitheatre I knew that this man is who America needed for so many reasons.
I was excited all to day to get done with work and head over to the Old Town office to volunteer for the campaign. I first knocked doors and left door hangers in my old neighborhood in Old Town and then headed off to help meet people in line at the Cora Kelly school off of Mt. Vernon. I called 9 pages of people to remind them to vote, ask if anyone needed a ride, and translated for a few in Spanish. Then we went to the Carlye in Old Town for poll watching.
CNN called PA for Obama, then a while later they called Ohio for Obama. Finally, hours after the polls closed in VA they called VA for Obama! Cheers went up louder for VA than any other state. Just a minute or two after that the loudest cheers of the night could be heard as CNN called the election for President-Elect Obama.
Senator McCain gave an amazing and truly humble speech. I really admire him for saying what he said, he really took the high road and I think his words will help the nation move forward.
President-Elect Obama gave a speech that will be held along side those of Lincoln and other amazingly motivational presidents that were able to effect a great positive change for the spirit of America. As he gave his speech my eyes filled with tears as I recognized how life altering this election has been for those black Americans who personally, a short 50+ years ago, lived in a country where just the color of their skin was cause to have them beaten, scorned, and denied other basic human and American rights. I couldn't help but admire those black women, who worked this campaign, hug each other and clasp hands listening to our newly elected president. Their wait is now over.
As we continued to watch the TV they aired the growing "block party" out in front of the White House. I decided that this was something I couldn't pass up. I drove in DC and as I rolled up 14th street the city was alive! It was if DC had one the super bowl. The cars were honking constantly, Obama fans were yelling and high 5'ing" each other in the street. In short it was a party in progress and ground zero was at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Throngs of hundreds were walking, but more like marching, down to the White House. A crowd of hundreds soon turned into thousands. I can't really say why everyone else went down, but for me I wanted to be with others in celebrating Obama's victory, our victory. There were people of all colors, races, orientations, people from other nations, both male and female a like dancing and singing together. People were singing the American Anthem, America the Beautiful, and This Land is Your Land. Also, the crowd did chants like Ole, Ole Ole Ole, Shannah Nah Nah, also one that was very popular...."Pack Your $H!T".
It was a mix of people from all backgrounds uniting. This was a representation of our nations potential. Yes we can, yes, we can be united and get out of these hard times. This is the test for our generation, will we use this newly formed hope to become stronger? I went down the Lincoln Memorial, my first time, and read his Gettysburg Address. In it he says of those that gave their lives, "It is for us, the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they have, thus far, so nobly carried on." I think that tonight those that gave their lives can rest peacefully knowing that our generation is now carrying that torch for a more perfect union.
