...in Washington, DC last night. I got done with work and walked out of the building at 11:02pm Eastern. This coincided perfectly with when the networks apparently all called the race for Obama. All around me I heard an eruption of car horns and shouting.
On the three block walk to my hotel I saw...
An older black man standing in the middle of a very busy intersection waving a huge flag and singing, to his own tune, "Yes, We Can" over and over as tears streamed down his face. Car after car honked and waved at him with many stopping to get out and hug him.
A group of 15-20 young African American women bouncing up and down, squealing, hugging each other and dancing in the street. Literally, dancing in the street. One, in tears, ran up and gave me a hug repeating to anyone who would listen "This is crazy! I can't believe this," before running on to hug someone else.
A car full of young men, black, white and asian in a small sports car stopping at every stop light and getting out and dancing while chanting "Obama! Obama!"
Cab after cab flying down the street with flags hanging out their windows, honking like mad.
I got to the White House late. There were a few thousand people gathered there. Apparently I missed the airheads who were hurling vulgarities at the building. Airheads because they couldn't be heard. Airheads because if they were it wouldn't matter. Airheads because rage and gloating got in their way of enjoying this community, this celebration, this new beautiful America. By the time I was there it was a sea of happy and inspired people just hanging out. Not really doing anything. Just hanging out. Happy to be in Obama's America. Happy to believe, again.
Yes.
Posted by: Miss Bliss | November 05, 2008 at 11:13 AM
The DJI was 9616 when Obama was elected. It's down 900+ points since then. I guess I'm not sure that we can afford an ENTIRE week of him. We'll see.
Posted by: Obama Wallstreet Rally | November 06, 2008 at 10:30 PM
Gorgeous, just gorgeous.
Remember to do this story in one of your shows!
Posted by: Kay Kirscht | November 07, 2008 at 05:52 AM
Amen, brother!
Suzanne and I were enjoying a victory party on Wednesday night at our local jazz & blues joint...singing and dancing after working 12 hours on Tuesday to coordinate rides to the polls for 200+ voters. This was a fitting climax to our 3+ months of working on the campaign in Fulton County, GA.
To the sounds of a young African-American belting out an adaptation of What's going on? (Marvin Gaye) - he would call out "What's goin' on?" and the very diverse crowd would respond with a lyrical "O-Baaa-ma"...and it just went on and on until we ended with hugs & shouts of joy.
That was an unforgettable experience for me...thanks for sharing yours.
Posted by: Rockhopper | November 07, 2008 at 09:35 AM