What an amazing morning - we have a new president coming in, and he is not old, white and blindered. Still hard to believe. Lots of emotional stories, as people come forward saying it's something they never thought they'd see. Maya Angelou gave a great interview, said "I'm an American, baby!" Yeah. Imagine what women would have felt if Hillary Clinton had got in and multiply it. We are finally a real melting pot, it was crystal clear or should I say black & white: when scanning the crowds at Grant Park last night vs the McCain supporters in Arizona, the overview of who voted for which candidate couldn't have been more visual.
No, it's not all about race. As a candidate Obama is exciting, inspiring, fresh, confident, smart. Yet, the race card is half the thrill. As a counterpart to Obama's triumphant "Yes we can", here is part of the evocative poem Angelou recited this morning, "I rise":
You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.
....
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.
Wednesday 5 November 2008
Tuesday 4 November 2008
Election Day, Chi town
Barack Obama did it. He broke the colour barrier. Amazing. And how much more miraculous that the Americans voted him in. What happened to that Republican manipulation machine? No more funds?
SO happy I made it to sweet home town Chicago for this victory, although it would have been delirious to have been downtown at Grant Park, despite the lack of a helicopter to get me there and back. Instead, I got to watch the hilarious Jon Stewart/Colbert show and lots of coverage on the tube with my family - and a bottle of champagne, of course. This election has been all about breaking records - including the number of voters, the early voting possibility, the outside rally, even the weather!!!
Yes, it's splashy autumn weather, fresh, warm, sunny, and the trees are still glowing, showing off their brilliant reds, golds, oranges. Took a walk in the wood with my sis, who thought there is no way Obama couldn't win. And yet not so convinced - it wasn't until McCain conceded that we popped the cork, and how sweet it was!
SO happy I made it to sweet home town Chicago for this victory, although it would have been delirious to have been downtown at Grant Park, despite the lack of a helicopter to get me there and back. Instead, I got to watch the hilarious Jon Stewart/Colbert show and lots of coverage on the tube with my family - and a bottle of champagne, of course. This election has been all about breaking records - including the number of voters, the early voting possibility, the outside rally, even the weather!!!
Yes, it's splashy autumn weather, fresh, warm, sunny, and the trees are still glowing, showing off their brilliant reds, golds, oranges. Took a walk in the wood with my sis, who thought there is no way Obama couldn't win. And yet not so convinced - it wasn't until McCain conceded that we popped the cork, and how sweet it was!
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