November 4, 2008

I will never forget where I was the night Obama was elected President. It seemed like the day would never come, after almost two full years of intense campaigning. In that week leading up to the election, it was inconceivable that this whole ordeal would be coming to an end in a few short days. At the same time, however, the campaign felt like it was at it's end. No new points were being made. The candidates were making their closing arguments. The election was in the hands of the voters.

Everyone at Guilford College was optimistic. People were saying things like "when he wins..." I was more cautious. Having seen the 2004 Ohio election where Kerry lost the election, I wasn't as confident that Obama could do it.

After what seemed like an deathly long day, election night finally arrived. I worked in the Library until 6:00 so my night could be free. I joined a packed common room filled with students and faculty alike. Tonight, everyone was waiting. Waiting for history.

The room got focused as the election results began to come in. Every time a state went to Obama, the crowd erupted. When McCain won a state, the room was largely silent. I was impressed with the surprising politeness of the crowd. They weren't being negative towards McCain, it was pro-Obama.

When McCain lost Pennsylvania, I became overjoyed. McCain needed to win Pennsylvania. He was banking on it. But he lost big, which meant that in swing states, maybe undecideds weren't McCain supporters faking it after all. When Obama won Ohio, I went nuts. At that point, it was impossible for McCain to win. He wouldn't win California, Oregon, and Washington. Yet at the same time, it was hard to believe. Was the United States REALLY about to elect a man, a black man named Barack Hussein Obama no less, to the highest office in the land? It was so wonderful, so utterly monumental that some part of me refused to believe it.

The Crowd counted down until the West Coast states closed. 10..9..8..7..6..5..4..3..2...1. They cheered, laughing becuause it was like New Years. When CNN projected that Obama was the next President, the crowd erupted. Jubilation filled the air as the room deafened as people screamed. We were hugging, crying. It was unlike anything I have ever experienced. The sheer joy of everyone, white, black, young, old was such a powerful testament to the power of our country.

After hugging everyone there (I was shaking at this point), I joined an impromptu crowd that was quickly gathering at the President's House. The crowd became a mob, and we began to go through the campus. We traveled to Bryan, where we congregated in the courtyard. The crowd quickly grew as people came out onto their balconies, and joined the crowd. I brought my American flag, and people began grabbing on. It was a beautiful movement. People were proud of their country, proud to hold the Stars and Stripes.

The crowd grew in size as we left Bryan and marched down the campus towards the entrance. I remember people screaming, cheering, all so happy at the results of the election. Photographers for The Guilfordian were taking pictures of my flag, and the surrounding faces. By the time we crossed West Friendly Ave. the crowd had grown to over 300 in size. We marched through the Hess station and down Guilford College Rd. People were honking and cheering out of their windows. Try as they might, people couldn't be kept out of the street.

We headed towards Harris Teeter. I think people wanted to celebrate with everyone possible. There was no destructive feeling to the crowd, although we did knock down an old wooden fence. When we got to Harris Teeter, some people tried to march through, but the vast majority of the crowd turned back towards Friendly Avenue. The crowd re-congregated at the Guilford Sign on the corner. An impromptu rally was held there. People got on top of the sign and started cheering. I handed my flag up to them, and they waved it around. There was so much pride for the nation, for the restored faith in the electoral process, and how people's voices counted.

After the rally at the sign started to break up, we towards the Old Apartments, via Miner. We paused in Milner to hear Barack Obama give his acceptance speech. Tears welled up in my eyes as I heard him speak. After so long, we had accomplished our goal. The crowd in Grant Park was electric. It was a victory speech not only for Obama and the Democratic Party, but also for equality. Obama was only the fifth African-American Senator ever elected. In four short years, he had been elected to the highest office in the country.

At the same time, I feel as though I can't possibly describe the true magnitude of the election. Although I've lived my whole life in a racially diverse area, I'm white. I can't comprehend the trouble that African-American's went through. In addition, my generation has grown up in a society that for the most part treats everyone equally. My generation has never known a time when people couldn't vote simply because of who they are or what color skin they have. This, however, could be an explanation for why the young vote was so vocal for Obama. We saw a leader who had that unique American optimism even in times of trouble. We didn't see the color of his skin, the "non-traditional" name. We all have unique backgrounds, and Obama's didn't seem so outrageous.


To reflect on the election, I hope that Obama fulfills his promises. More than any other candidate in history, he's earned the trust and respect of many people, significantly the future of America. The expectations will be higher than ever before. Obama will have to be honest with the American people, even if it's not good news (and based on the Economy and the War, it probably won't be). But if you ask me, I think he'll handle it correctly. He'll be honest, yet understanding. I hope that he leads the country with the grace and maturity that propelled him to the Presidency.

Congratulations, Sen. Obama. Congratulations, America. We've cleared a hurdle many thought they would never see in their lifetimes. We have a ways to go. But to quote the Obama campaign, "Yes we can." With that optimism and a new outlook on the world, I would bet that America is on it's way to new heights. We're on our way to a society that will lead the world not with an iron fist but with a helping hand.