Lisa at the Obama Election Night Event, November 4, 2008, Grant Parkit's been hard to shake off this feeling of complete euphoria at the election of barack obama a little over a week ago. the day at work was such a buzz that it was hard to focus on anything. i had the jitters, bad, and i couldn't shake them. i left with three of my coworkers around 5 to eat burgers with bacon and cheese inside, and an onion brick, and down a few hard ciders while we watched the returns come in for kentucky, pennsylvania. we walked to grant park in a mob of other people, all trickling toward the same destination. we passed street vendors selling buttons, "I Was There.", and t-shirts with the profile of a man who now is recognized, everywhere. a roar of applause and screaming spread amongst the crowd when people announced that obama had taken ohio; they'd received the updates on their cell phones. we stood in line for a little under an hour near the entrance of grant park. the city was so alive. a building across the span of grant park lit up U.S.A., and against the already perfect skyline, the view didn't get much better.
once inside grant park, we had barely found a spot to stand when it came across that obama had taken virginia. virginia. it was an unbelievable excitement. we were still celebrating that fact when suddenly a news update flashed on the screen. president-elect barack obama. he had taken it. so soon, so sudden, it was his!
there were tears streaming down faces. kids were on their parents' shoulders, pumping their fists in the air. we turned and hugged each other, and others. we shook our heads and smiled. my cheeks hurt from smiling. not a few moments later, mccain's concession speech was broadcasted on the large video screen. the audience, aside from a few booes, was respectful and quiet. i think we used his moment of acknowledging defeat to absorb the fact that we had won.
several minutes passed. oldies songs streamed from the speakers and everyone continued to jump around, dance, hug, smile. so much smiling. then, a reverand took the stage and led is in a moment of prayer. he was followed by a beautiful rendition of our national anthem. and then, we were led in the pledge of allegiance. i held my hand to my heart and for one true moment, a beautiful moment, i felt pride. i will never forget listening to the echo of the crowd saying those words in unity, as you would a prayer.
the sky was clear. it must have been 65 degrees. the air was blowing gently. it was perfect. no one was crowding or pushing. then it was announced. the next president of the united states of america, barack obama. he took the stage holding hands with his daughters and wife. he looked tired, but elated. genuine. his voice sounded different live. deeper. it was hard to concentrate on his words because i felt like i was in a dream. i couldn't register the fact that he was mere yards away, speaking, at this moment. and what i heard wasn't a recording, it was his voice.
when we filed out of grant park after his speech, michigan avenue was a flood of people. groups of people were banging on trash cans, everyone was honking their car horns, people were break dancing in the middle of the street, there were chants of yes we did.
