PART ONE: My blog post from last
night.
OBAMA RALLY!!!!!!
It took us an hour and a half to get
in and get through security. We found spots to sit on the lawn, near the
GIGANTIC screen. It was POSSIBLE to see the stage from where we were, but the
screen was a much better view. Anyway, picture half a million people booing
every time McCain won a state, and going NUTS every time Obama did. As time
progressed, we got happier and happier, and eventually, while we're all minding
our own business, all of a sudden, there it is:
BARACK OBAMA ELECTED PRESIDENT.
Everyone sitting leapt to their
feet. The African-American lady next to me wrapped me in a huge hug, tears
streaming down her face. I was too delighted to breathe, and just took it all
in. Everyone was in the most chaotic amazing state of glee. People were
pogo-ing, screaming, crying, shrieking...It was amazing.
McCain's speech was, I thought, very
well-said, if not slightly long-winded. (Thank goddess he didn't let Palin
speak, the twit. Nobody wants to hear any more of that.) Then was the Pledge of
Allegiance, which all of us recited with a new kind of pride and hope. The
singer for the Star-Spangled Banner wasn't great, but she realized as much,
laughed off her faults, and had a grand time.
Then he walked onstage.
I've never in all my life been to a
concert as exhilarating as this moment was. It was like...Holy shit. There he
is. In person. Our future president. The one we've spent months praying would
win. I was in the same vicinity of his greatness, and omg, seeing him with his
wife and kids....Michelle is BEAUTIFUL and the kids seem so damn precious. As
soon as Barack came out, before he'd even spoken a word, I literally started
just fucking weeping. Everyone there was a part of history, and felt the amazement
and love and hope and pride that we've been denied by Bush and other
presidents. I seriously cried through his whole speech - except the part about
getting the girls a puppy, which made me giggle like mad. Everyone was so
overwhelmed and in the moment and it was honestly the most beautiful feeling
I've ever experienced.
I was hesitant to leave - something
about Obama's smile is just so infectious and makes you never want to stop
looking at it as it seems the embodiment of hope and leaving it seemed like
dying a bit inside - but we wanted to beat the traffic. Turns out the traffic
was kind of everywhere - ALL major downtown streets were closed off, and
THOUSANDS of people paraded the streets for the next few hours, whooping and
dancing and feeling a joy and release previously unknown to the American
public. It felt like Mardi Gras, but without alcohol. Dad and I went to one of
the very few bars that was open, had dinner and a drink, and called it a night.
I woke up at 4 AM and didn't nap, so
have been awake about 24 hours, but am WAY too Obama-happy to sleep.
I'm just.........I feel so lucky,
for my first time voting to have been a part of this wondrous thing. I watched
the votes add up and up and wanted to burst inside from happiness. I don't think
I have any other words for it than the ones I've already used. It was, as I
said, better than any concert, than anything else ever. It was a true
inspiration, a real MOVEMENT, something we all came together to create, better
than I imagine even Woodstock could have been. And I'll admit, I'm not even
that insanely obsessed with politics. But I know this needed to happen, and I'm
still so freakishly hyper-happy that I'm just kinda....bouncing. I danced and
sang songs from RENT on the train car with other drunk-hyper kids, so that was
a blast.
An awesome night.
An awesome election.
An AWESOME FUCKING NEW PRESIDENT.
Yes, We *Did*.
~
PART TWO: A lot of my friends online - both here and overseas - have been
making posts on their blogs today.
They're short, but sweet, and I wanted to share simply because I've been
so amazed myself at the turnout of young voters:
"Well, well, well!
Never thought we'd see the day.
.....NEXT TIME: A JEWISH PRESIDENT!
~*~ ♥ ~*~
Damn, I miss George Carlin."
"Actually, on consideration,
it's a little odd how proudly patriotic we all feel that America showed a shred
of common sense for once.
It's like congratulating a puppy the
first time he pees outside and not on the rug."
"I cried.
You guys should be so, so proud.
I don't give a fucking toss about
politics, usually, but this has really gotten me. And it affects us all. And
I'm just so, so moved." -(from a friend in Australia)
"To all the poor crazed
psychotic lunatics screaming about how McCain was cheated and there was voter
fraud and how Obama is "not your president," I just want to say: I
understand.
Hell, I felt the same way about
Bush, and still do. It's hard when Your Guy didn't win. But eventually I calmed
down and said "Well, Bush is what we have, like it or not, so I just have
to grit my teeth and deal." I expect the same of all of you, who were so
eager and gleeful during The Reign of Dubya. Now you know how the rest of us
felt during those dark days.
Or you can always leave, start your
own country.
Hell, I even have a name thought up
just for you: Dumbfuckistan."
"Yes. We. Did.
For the first time in my life, I am
genuinely proud to say that I am an American, and genuinely thankful to have
been born in this country. I have never been able to say that before.
Can Europe stop making fun of us
now?
I LOVE THIS COUNTRY."
"Needless to say, I'm bawling
my eyes out right now.
This is the greatest moment of my
life."
"Obama is the fucking
president. I'd have voted for him if I was American... seriously. Great choice,
America!" -(friend in UK)
"Dear America,
Thank you. From the bottom of our
hearts, thank you.
Yours sincerely,
The rest of the world"
-(another Aussie)
~
PART THREE. I wrote a poem today about it. THIS IS BY NO MEANS MY BEST WORK. I realize that. And I do so wish I could do better as the occasion deserves it,
but I'm still having trouble finding any words good enough for it. Anyway, here goes.
YES, WE DID
Some worried about riots
and they did happen,
relief turning the busy lanes
into impromptu parade routes.
They were riots of a renaissance,
of minds snapping to attention,
and even the atheists among us
join in prayer to see a savior in
the works.
Did we know then the meaning of
hope?
Yes, we did.
Some worried about safety,
as masses in Grant Park
have a dirty history.
Yet when the countless raised
their fists and voices,
it was to shout of truth,
of sacred promise renewed.
Even the weather agreed with us,
treating Chicago in November
like a fragile thing for once.
Necessity favored the best in us
and did we appreciate it?
Yes, we did.
Some worried about apathy,
but the lesson of eight years
has been the revelation for
revolution.
Every eye, wet with gratitude,
turned to watch him take his place
at the once-defiled podium,
which somehow seemed safe again.
We watched him kiss his wife
and through our fervor saw a humble
man
settling into the American dream
so we could fulfill our own.
Other countries thanked us
and with pride unprecedented
we thanked ourselves for the night -
the first of many - upon which
Yes, We Can became
Yes, We Did.