Last night I watched the election results at Adam Clayton Powell Square in Harlem. We were just going to stay in and watch it on tv, but they kept showing the huge party 3 blocks away. So three white girls from Utah walked past the ice sculptures at Sylvia's, high-fived people on the street, and bonded with a guy with an Obama doll. We got into the square and joined the party, watching the coverage, dancing, cheering, talking to reporters. There was everyone there-mostly black, but white, hispanic, young, old, children. When the race was called, everyone went crazy. The governor of New York spoke, and a hip hop guy, who I'm not familiar with. The sense of accomplishment was amazing. The issues are most important, and that is why I, and I believe most Americans voted for Barack Obama, but it is a historical time, and I think there is a lot to be proud of. In the speeches I heard, there were references to overcoming slavery, and the civil rights era, and it seems that everyone felt what a great victory this was. That things are now possible that people didn't believe were.
Most people who know me know I'm a pretty skeptical person. I don't give my support easily or blindly to anyone. So it felt unusual to me being there last night and actually feel hope, and pride for my country, which I haven't felt in a long time. When Obama came on to give his speech, I was again impressed by his humility, his non-divisive language, and his ability to inspire.
As I walked home in the middle of the street, part of a parade of people, cheering and dancing and feeling good about their country and their place in it, I've never been happier to live in Harlem.
2 comments:
This is so cool!
I'm glad that you had the chance to go to this party.
We had a good time at our party, and I loved watching Obama's acceptance speech. It was awesome. I don't know how much he's paying his speechwriters, but they should be making double. :)
I'm with you on the hope. I'm really excited, too. There's a good thread by Ronan at BCC. It's a foreigner's perspective on the election.
Fireworks were let of in my little Sugarhouse abode.
I've hit on a few of my friends blogs to see "Sad" and "Disappointed" and "I didn't vote for him" as their titles and it makes me sad that people feel that way.
He is an amazing man and I think he will become even more historic as his term progresses.
I felt a bit light with hope myself.
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