Euphoria, Relief, Laughter
Woohoo! Now that it's all over, now that the world is exhaling and Sasha and Malia are going to get their First Puppy, it's great to be able to able to relax and laugh at myself, to laugh at all of us who've been so passionate and devoted for so long now. We won!
As the election was called last night and the talking heads waxed ecstatic, I couldn't help noticing that the rhetorical focus was all on the breaking of the racial barrier. This was great, amazing, fantastic--and so dramatic. Of course it was central in the commentary.
But gradually I began to feel a lack. What about Obama's policies? What about the clear vote of the American people for peace, the environment, fiscal responsibility, economic justice? Maybe the commentators considered all that a given; I don't know. The Onion cracked me up by putting all the "historic moment" talk into grim perspective in the column, "Nation Finally Shitty Enough to Make Social Progress."
Lastly, I was struck last night, as I sat with friends watching John McCain's concession speech and Obama's victory speech, by the different tenors of the crowds. The McCain folks booed repeatedly when McCain mentioned Obama, even after he motioned them to stop, while the Grant Park crowd clapped politely (if perhaps a smidge unenthusiastically) when Obama mentioned McCain. It made me think about civility, about behaving with grace and generosity, whichever side you're on. (Granted, it's easier to be genteel when you've just trounced your opponent.)
But I got a whole new perspective on it when I read Tayari's Twitter this morning. On talk radio in Ghana, it's being said that "John McCain has taught the world how to lose," i.e., "No rioting."
Huh. I guess so! That sure put things in another perspective. It made me feel good about it after all. What are a few angry yells? Let 'em vent.
As the election was called last night and the talking heads waxed ecstatic, I couldn't help noticing that the rhetorical focus was all on the breaking of the racial barrier. This was great, amazing, fantastic--and so dramatic. Of course it was central in the commentary.
But gradually I began to feel a lack. What about Obama's policies? What about the clear vote of the American people for peace, the environment, fiscal responsibility, economic justice? Maybe the commentators considered all that a given; I don't know. The Onion cracked me up by putting all the "historic moment" talk into grim perspective in the column, "Nation Finally Shitty Enough to Make Social Progress."
Lastly, I was struck last night, as I sat with friends watching John McCain's concession speech and Obama's victory speech, by the different tenors of the crowds. The McCain folks booed repeatedly when McCain mentioned Obama, even after he motioned them to stop, while the Grant Park crowd clapped politely (if perhaps a smidge unenthusiastically) when Obama mentioned McCain. It made me think about civility, about behaving with grace and generosity, whichever side you're on. (Granted, it's easier to be genteel when you've just trounced your opponent.)
But I got a whole new perspective on it when I read Tayari's Twitter this morning. On talk radio in Ghana, it's being said that "John McCain has taught the world how to lose," i.e., "No rioting."
Huh. I guess so! That sure put things in another perspective. It made me feel good about it after all. What are a few angry yells? Let 'em vent.
Barbara said:
I am home now from Ohio, and now believe I owe the people of Ohio...or at least the majority of them..a sincere apology.
They did it. They came through and voted for Obama. While I understand that the efforts of this single rabid Obama supporter could not change the outcome of the election, I also know my time there was not in vain.
I saw such excitement on the faces and in the eyes of people on election day in Ohio. I monitored a polling place in Lakemore Ohio, and watched as people came by and voted...coming out with a smile and a wink.
They were telling me it would all be ok...
On Tuesday morning I bumped into an older African American woman in the lobby of my hotel. She saw my Obama Labor 2008 tshirt, and said that she had hoped to work the polls but was unable. Her gas had been shut off (gas leaks) and she'd had to move to the hotel for a while. She was disappointed because she wanted to be part of the day, part of the excitement. She asked me to do 'the right work' to make it come home for Obama.
I assured her I would do my best, assuming I would never see her again. Then this morning, still kind of numb from the excitement of our victory. I was in my car, headed to the airport, anxious to be home...and I saw her come out of the hotel. I parked my car (illegally) and walked over to her...reminded her of our conversation...and she folded me into her arms, and we held each other...tightly...two women who didn't know each other...one 70ish, one 53, white, black, unknown to each other...and we held each other and cried. She whispered to me, "God knew this before he was even in his mother's womb."
We let go..and smiled at each other...and I left.
I will remember that moment all my life.
November 6, 2008 4:02 AMFaye said:
For any other journalism/news junkies out there, if you go to this link, you can see a time lapse of The New York Times home page on election night.
http://10000words.net/newyorktimes-election-timelapse.html
November 6, 2008 12:12 PMfayepoet said:
It took a full day for me to come to and fully realize that Obama had won.The outpouring from black Americans has moved me and evoked memories of the many who sacrificed their lives to pave the way for this time.
November 8, 2008 3:50 PMThe pundits are already second guessing Obama and pushing for "hurry-up" and feed us with what's next. I am so glad for our president-elect's considered pace.I am so glad for the line up — the experience and perspective of the people that surrounded him during his first press conference.I am so glad for a "thinking" president, at last!