By Jamela Joseph
Tuesday, Nov. 4, was a day that I would remember forever. I jumped out of my seat in Howard University’s Blackburn Ballroom full of excited students and faculty shouting with joy as we looked to the screen to see that Barack Obama had won another state. Iowa! Students performed original pieces of inspirational poetry, danced to the upbeat music, chanted “Obama!” as our hearts continued to beat faster and faster as the clock ticked.
Throughout the night, I made eye contact with a few of my school mates, connecting through our tears of joy. Suddenly, a new update at around 11 p.m.! I tried hard to see what CNN was revealing, but I simply could not see above the other anxious students standing tall on the chairs in front of me. The room instantly transformed into a place with even more exuberant and ecstatic individuals overcome with happiness, shouting, yelling and crying.
Though I had not yet seen what was on the screen, I, too, began to shout. As the yells grew louder and the tears grew stronger, I suddenly knew what the screen read. I looked deep into the eyes of my friend and I could see her mouth moving but I could not make out the words. However, it did not matter, I felt her energy and I knew my president was black.
I glared at the screen and saw, "Barack Obama Elected President." I became almost static for a few seconds, while a million things ran through my head. I thought about all that my black people have been through and have worked hard for and then suddenly launched off my feet and jumped around the room, hugging the people around me. Being such a calm person, I do not think that I ever celebrated in that manner. I was elated! My eyes continued to pour with tears as I stood proud, looking up to the ceiling, thanking God. I was happy to glance at my phone to find voicemails and text messages of excited friends and family members in California, where it was only 8 p.m.
We linked arms to sing “We shall overcome” and raised our fists to “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and then heard the powerful words given by the great Professor Greg Carr and prayer delivered by a Howard student. As I laughed, cried, smiled and took pictures, R&B singer Ryan Leslie put on an upbeat performance that coincided with the joyful mood. I walked out of the room with red eyes, hugging individuals, making phone calls and sending messages to my loved ones. I was so proud of Barack Obama and felt truly blessed to be a part of this beautiful, historical day at Howard University.
Yes we can!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Shine and Be Heard
By Chable Bracken
Becoming the first black president is a great historical leap, no doubt, but the face of a change has to be more than just a pretty picture. The first African-American to hold the ultimate executive power in his hands represents his entire brotherhood, his heritage, his history. Not very many of us can sit here today and, without hesitation, say that we could jump up and grab the reins of a once prosperous nation in need of desperate repair.
Barack Obama is what one would call the voice of his people. Now, that can be both a good and bad thing because of the substantial number of people his voice will soon represent. His actions are the actions of all black people, his words are the speech of all black people and his opinion is the opinion of all black people, whether he, or we as the black public, like it or not.
There’s something about finally having a person of color in the most superior position in America that has given many African-American people the idea that “yes they can” say and do anything that they would like, too. Why is it that some black are walking around like they’re the ones who won the presidency and now have the power to do and say anything?
Perhaps it’s the built up excitement from seeing a biracial man stand behind a grand podium on Nov. 4, 2008, and accept his overwhelming triumph in being the first person of his kind in the history of this great nation to be in that position.
Perhaps it’s the pride in millions of hearts that know something new and real is actually beginning to take shape in this country, and the days of corruption, deceit and neglect are possibly fading behind us.
Where do we go from here exactly?
It’s one thing for all of us to be ecstatic about having Obama in the position that he’s in, while we sit and wait and watch for change to magically appear and conjure up some reform. We have to stand up and push forward and make it easier for Obama to make the changes needed to get this country back to the way it was.
What good are we as citizens, as black citizens for that matter, if we kick up our feet and gaze at the man destined to bring his people through the fires of struggle and inequality and send them beaming with hope toward the promised land — America, the land of opportunity.
People of the United States of America and basically all the people of color who have been left to fend for themselves in the background, let’s not give others reason to look down own us with disdain.
This is our chance to shine and be heard in a way that is dignifying and actually suitable to our true nature as people. “Yes we can” … rise up!
Becoming the first black president is a great historical leap, no doubt, but the face of a change has to be more than just a pretty picture. The first African-American to hold the ultimate executive power in his hands represents his entire brotherhood, his heritage, his history. Not very many of us can sit here today and, without hesitation, say that we could jump up and grab the reins of a once prosperous nation in need of desperate repair.
Barack Obama is what one would call the voice of his people. Now, that can be both a good and bad thing because of the substantial number of people his voice will soon represent. His actions are the actions of all black people, his words are the speech of all black people and his opinion is the opinion of all black people, whether he, or we as the black public, like it or not.
There’s something about finally having a person of color in the most superior position in America that has given many African-American people the idea that “yes they can” say and do anything that they would like, too. Why is it that some black are walking around like they’re the ones who won the presidency and now have the power to do and say anything?
Perhaps it’s the built up excitement from seeing a biracial man stand behind a grand podium on Nov. 4, 2008, and accept his overwhelming triumph in being the first person of his kind in the history of this great nation to be in that position.
Perhaps it’s the pride in millions of hearts that know something new and real is actually beginning to take shape in this country, and the days of corruption, deceit and neglect are possibly fading behind us.
Where do we go from here exactly?
It’s one thing for all of us to be ecstatic about having Obama in the position that he’s in, while we sit and wait and watch for change to magically appear and conjure up some reform. We have to stand up and push forward and make it easier for Obama to make the changes needed to get this country back to the way it was.
What good are we as citizens, as black citizens for that matter, if we kick up our feet and gaze at the man destined to bring his people through the fires of struggle and inequality and send them beaming with hope toward the promised land — America, the land of opportunity.
People of the United States of America and basically all the people of color who have been left to fend for themselves in the background, let’s not give others reason to look down own us with disdain.
This is our chance to shine and be heard in a way that is dignifying and actually suitable to our true nature as people. “Yes we can” … rise up!
Saturday, November 8, 2008
First-Time Voters Blog About Experience
By Alexis Cook
There is widespread agreement that this election cycle represents an historic landmark in American history, because of the potential election of an African-American president or a female vice president.
But, for one group of voters, Nov. 4, 2008, has its own significance. It marks the first time that these Americans have stepped into a voting booth, and many have memorialized the experience online.
Blog sites such as Hotair.com have received numerous posts from first-time voters, ranging from funny to serious.
One writer, “CSM126,” posted: “I took a very pleasant walk to my polling place as soon as it opened (6 a.m.) to cast my vote for McCain/Palin. I definitely couldn’t let living in solid Blue NY keep me down. This is my first time being eligible to vote for president and it was an exciting thing to do. Fingers crossed!”
“SKYFOX” wrote: “This will be my 19 year old daughter’s first vote. Strong pro-life, strong second amendment (pretty good shot)… I have not asked her who she will vote for but I’m confident she will do the ‘right’ thing.”
Some of the first-time voters were immigrants, and they, too, posted comments. “Thomasaur” wrote: “My wife will be voting in her first Presidential Election (naturalized in 2004). She is from Canada so it took a while to explain conservatism American style. She was liberal when we met but it was due to the fact she was uninformed. She is so excited that we are in CO and her vote could swing things. VOTE.”
There is widespread agreement that this election cycle represents an historic landmark in American history, because of the potential election of an African-American president or a female vice president.
But, for one group of voters, Nov. 4, 2008, has its own significance. It marks the first time that these Americans have stepped into a voting booth, and many have memorialized the experience online.
Blog sites such as Hotair.com have received numerous posts from first-time voters, ranging from funny to serious.
One writer, “CSM126,” posted: “I took a very pleasant walk to my polling place as soon as it opened (6 a.m.) to cast my vote for McCain/Palin. I definitely couldn’t let living in solid Blue NY keep me down. This is my first time being eligible to vote for president and it was an exciting thing to do. Fingers crossed!”
“SKYFOX” wrote: “This will be my 19 year old daughter’s first vote. Strong pro-life, strong second amendment (pretty good shot)… I have not asked her who she will vote for but I’m confident she will do the ‘right’ thing.”
Some of the first-time voters were immigrants, and they, too, posted comments. “Thomasaur” wrote: “My wife will be voting in her first Presidential Election (naturalized in 2004). She is from Canada so it took a while to explain conservatism American style. She was liberal when we met but it was due to the fact she was uninformed. She is so excited that we are in CO and her vote could swing things. VOTE.”
Friday, November 7, 2008
At Home in Obama Central
By Victoria ThomasMy first time voting was very exciting. I went to several different polling places with my mom, who is an elected official for the City of Chicago. Although her election day began at 3 a.m. to make sure the polls in her ward were ready for the day to come, I joined her much later at 10 a.m. We went to a local polling place, where I cast my vote. Since this was my first time voting. I was excited that I had some say in who would be our country's leader.
Going from one polling to place to another, observing the surroundings, you could feel the excitement yet seriousness that was in the air. People were making comments to the polling judges such as, "OK, explain this to me, because I can't mess this up." Outside each polling place, there was at least one person saying, “Go Obama!" It was clear that Tuesday in Chicago was Obama central.
Having attended the same school as Barack Obama's children and with my mom being in politics for 15 years, I have been familiar with the Obama family for a while. I did not realize the impact he was making across America and the world until he began his election campaign. Just three years ago, I was listening to the senator talk to the community about running for president and trying to win votes; now he is going to be making decisions that affect America and the world. Being from Chicago and to actually know Obama, one cannot help but to feel an overwhelming amount of pride, inspiration and excitement for President-elect Obama.
Politics in Chicago has always been the most talked about matter among Chicagoans, hence our nickname, "the Windy City." Chances are, if you’re from Chicago, you’re pretty familiar with politics. But since Obama began his run for president, many people wanted to part of his campaign. After 2005, it was a big accomplishment to be working on the Obama campaign.
As soon as various polls came out about how close Obama and Sen. John McCain were in this election, I decided that I wanted to vote in Illinois. I wanted to experience Chicago during crunch time for the election, and I am so happy I made the decision to come home. Celebrating an election for someone you know and someone you have spoken to is so exciting and unbelievable. In January, I can honestly say that I know the president of the United States!
Victoria Thomas with Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas (top) at President-Elect Barack Obama's victory celebration at Grant Park in downtown Chicago. Earlier on Election Day, Victoria attended a watch party hosted by Illinois Senate President Emil Jones Jr., D-Chicago, in a suite at the Hilton & Towers across from Grant Park. Jones is considered Obama's political grandfather and gave the president-elect key assignments when he was a state senator.
New Years’ Came Early
By: Valita A. WalstonThe night erupted with fire works, champagne, music and dancing in the streets.
Sen. Barack Obama has been elected the 44th president of the United States of
America. Scores of people converged on the U Street corridor as the news broke
of Obama’s win on Election Day. Cars stopped in an impromptu parade and a
crowd overcome with emotion, bubbled up in excitement in celebration of the
historic event.
“Obama said I could do what I want,” said Robert Dushay, as he ran through
the crowd with drumsticks and a crash cymbal.“ I’m going to take over the
world,” Dushay chanted as he made his way toward the 14th Street intersection.
Celebrants spanned the entire U Street corridor as other revelers marched down
14th Street, making their way to the White House. Vernell Garey watched from her
car, its windows painted with the message: “Obama, 400 yrs.” “I’m almost
60 years old and to see this in my time is amazing,” she said. “I wish my
mother was here to see this.”
Fireworks flared from the rooftop of Republic Gardens Lounge. Drummers were
drumming in front of the Reeves Center, and dancers were electric sliding at the
intersection of 14th and U. It was the same intersection that a riot and fire
broke out 40 years ago at the news of the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin
Luther King. Tonight there was only a riotous celebration. “Yes we did.”
“Obama, Obama.” “It’s a new day,” chanted the crowd until the wee
hours of the morning. It was like New Year’s Eve came early this year.
photo and video by Valita A. Walston
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Early Returns Favor Obama
By Jessica Morris and Mary Godie
Early returns on the afternoon of election day are predicting an Obama landslide according to various real time Internet polls. From the opening of polling centers, Obama has been in the lead accoring to many web sites.
The Huffington Post reports that Sen. Barack Obama started the day off at 93 percent of the popular vote while Sen. John McCain obtained only 7 percent of the votes. At around 2pm, Sen. Obama rose to 95 percent leaving Sen. McCain at only 5 percent.
Many sites are also predicting the probable electoral college votes. The election is depending on many swing states. “Virginia has voted Republican since 1964, but its changing demographics and Barack Obama's strong presence in the state have polls showing that it's leaning Democratic this year. If Obama wins Virginia, he's expected to do very well in other states,” according to AOL’s election site.
The swing states which are currently leaning toward Sen. Obama are Virginia,Ohio,North Carolina, Florida, New Hampshire,and Missouri, and those leaning toward Sen McCain are Montana, Georgia,and Indiana. “New Hampshire may only have four electoral votes, but McCain has spent so much time in the state that it would be considered a bad sign if he lost there,” according to AOL’s election site.
USA Today predicts that Obama will have 311 votes while predicting McCain to have 145. They only put 82 swing state votes as too close to call. Politico shows Obama leading in electoral votes 338 to Sen. McCain’s 200. The Huffington Post also had an electoral college prediction which had Obama with 364 votes and McCain with 174 with only 26 swing state votes that were too close to call giving most swing states to Obama.
Beginning at 6pm the first polling center will be closed and the real results will start to pour in. Sites such as AOL Election, The Huffington Post, USA Today and Politico will all have real time real election results.
Passing the time at Bell Multicultural
Passing the time in line at Bell Multicultural –
By noon, most lines' early morning crowd had dwindled., but outside Bell Multicultural High School, Precinct 39, people were still lining up outside to enter the building to vote. They weren't idling, though. Most of them were occupying their time with reading or music. Here's a sample:
John Wehlmann was reading Children of Dune by Frank Herbert. He got through ten pages in line.
Ricardo Ortiz was perusing through Caramelo, a novel he had previously read, by Sandra Cisneros.
Henoch Gebreamelak was catching up on reading for his job.
Philip Mueller was reading the lastest issue of Smithsonian Magazine.
Morgan Dibble, a GW grad student in international affairs was reading two articles about McCain and Obama's foreign policies from Foreign Affairs Magazine.
Dakota Fine was listening to Will.I.Am's pro-Obama song "Yes We Can." He said it was helping him get pumped to go vote.
John Truesdall was listening to The Sea and Cake, "Lightning."
--
Traver Riggins
Managing Editor, The Hilltop
815.274.9301
traverriggins@gmail.com
triggins@huhilltop.com
By noon, most lines' early morning crowd had dwindled., but outside Bell Multicultural High School, Precinct 39, people were still lining up outside to enter the building to vote. They weren't idling, though. Most of them were occupying their time with reading or music. Here's a sample:
John Wehlmann was reading Children of Dune by Frank Herbert. He got through ten pages in line.
Ricardo Ortiz was perusing through Caramelo, a novel he had previously read, by Sandra Cisneros.
Henoch Gebreamelak was catching up on reading for his job.
Philip Mueller was reading the lastest issue of Smithsonian Magazine.
Morgan Dibble, a GW grad student in international affairs was reading two articles about McCain and Obama's foreign policies from Foreign Affairs Magazine.
Dakota Fine was listening to Will.I.Am's pro-Obama song "Yes We Can." He said it was helping him get pumped to go vote.
John Truesdall was listening to The Sea and Cake, "Lightning."
--
Traver Riggins
Managing Editor, The Hilltop
815.274.9301
traverriggins@gmail.com
triggins@huhilltop.com
Don't hate. Chill out, and just go somewhere and vote
Please do not get mad at your friends and family who forgot to send in their absentee ballots or if they decided, "Eh, I don't need to vote." Maybe it won’t matter if they don’t cast a vote in a reliably blue or red state – not that they should be allowed to forget that they failed to exercise their right.
States that are considered "a given" - California, New York, D.C., Massachusetts - that classically run blue for the Democratic candidates like Barack Obama, can spare a few non-conforming registered voters without changing the outcome. Polls in California, especially, Obama appears to be winning by a pretty long, green mile.
Similarly, Texas and Alabama may fall short of a few thousand voters but it seems likely that they'll be Republican-leaning states for a long time.
But, you ought to whup your friend's, boyfriend's, co-worker's, or teammate's sorry tail if he or she is from a state like Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania or Missouri and hasn’t made the effort to go out and vote. Those votes are necessary. Those votes could turn the election, seriously!
Their not voting is like saying, "I don't care about how much I pay in taxes next year," or "I know exactly what we are doing in Iraq, and the war does not need any new framework," or even "I could use four more years of my current president."
I really hope no one is thinking any of the former things – especially that last one.
States like Missouri are teetering on the line of driving black people and white people alike crazy, and leaning mostly toward a Democratic electoral possibility. Indiana voters are evenly tied in their decisions for the next president, according to CNN.com. McCain, who claims he's going to be the underdog winner in this race for the presidency, says Indiana will remain red. Furthermore, and more importantly, I think, voters should not waste their time in states that either candidate has given up on. For Obama, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi. For McCain, Michigan, California and D.C...
Has McCain even come through D.C. more than once? I don't think so.
If they are putting in the effort, why should you?
Funny moment of the day (and possibly for life): Palin voted today in Alaska. When asked who she voted for, she said she wouldn't tell, saying she's exercising her right to privacy and is "not telling you."
by Christina Burton, Reporter
States that are considered "a given" - California, New York, D.C., Massachusetts - that classically run blue for the Democratic candidates like Barack Obama, can spare a few non-conforming registered voters without changing the outcome. Polls in California, especially, Obama appears to be winning by a pretty long, green mile.
Similarly, Texas and Alabama may fall short of a few thousand voters but it seems likely that they'll be Republican-leaning states for a long time.
But, you ought to whup your friend's, boyfriend's, co-worker's, or teammate's sorry tail if he or she is from a state like Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania or Missouri and hasn’t made the effort to go out and vote. Those votes are necessary. Those votes could turn the election, seriously!
Their not voting is like saying, "I don't care about how much I pay in taxes next year," or "I know exactly what we are doing in Iraq, and the war does not need any new framework," or even "I could use four more years of my current president."
I really hope no one is thinking any of the former things – especially that last one.
States like Missouri are teetering on the line of driving black people and white people alike crazy, and leaning mostly toward a Democratic electoral possibility. Indiana voters are evenly tied in their decisions for the next president, according to CNN.com. McCain, who claims he's going to be the underdog winner in this race for the presidency, says Indiana will remain red. Furthermore, and more importantly, I think, voters should not waste their time in states that either candidate has given up on. For Obama, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi. For McCain, Michigan, California and D.C...
Has McCain even come through D.C. more than once? I don't think so.
If they are putting in the effort, why should you?
Funny moment of the day (and possibly for life): Palin voted today in Alaska. When asked who she voted for, she said she wouldn't tell, saying she's exercising her right to privacy and is "not telling you."
by Christina Burton, Reporter
Long Lines but High Hopes at Latin American Youth Center Precinct 36
Traver Riggins - Update
Lines at Latin American Youth Center precinct 36 were running about 90 minutes at about 8:30 a.m.
Depsite intimidating lines, voting seems to be going smoothly at precinct 36.
Will Bordelon got in line about 30 minutes before the polls opened at 7 a.m. and was finished casting his ballot at 8:05 a.m.
"I expected to stay about that long" Bordelon said. He made sure to cast his ballot early so he could get to work on time. He said he voted to Senator McCain, but would be happy if Senator Obama won too.
"I think some of these people are going to go home," he added. He said some people won't want to wait in the long lines, especially if they have to get to work or have other commitments.
The line started at the door of the center at 1419 Columbia, about 70 feet. (shaky estimate) from the corner of Columbia Road and 14th Street, and stretched down the block to 15th Street. At one point in the morning the line wrapped around the block on to 15th.
Emily Johansson also thought the lines might deter people from voting, especially in the District where people are nearly certain that the area will go for Obama. But the long line won't stop her from voting.
"Today is a big day in the history of our country, so it's nice to be a part of it," she said looking to her boyfriend in an inside-out Obama T-shirt for confirmation. Johansson misjudged the weather and took his green sweater to keep warm, leaving Gordon Fournier to flip his shirt or be in trouble for campaigning near an election site.
"We're cautiously optimistic about Obama's chances," Fournier said.
Alexandra Sevilla is hoping for an Obama presidency.
"Everything about him will make him a good president," she said. "He's got good policy views. I think he's going to be engaging of people who have contrasting views…He's a young guy and that will bode well for thinking about the future."
Sevilla's family is from Nicaragua, but she said that being of Latin American descent didn't influence her voting decision.
"I grew up here I don't have the same sort of like issues of like a recent immigrant," she said. "I do understand that my parents did, so compassion toward those types of issues is important, but in terms of I would say as a block we tend to be very pro life or very conservative in some aspects and I'm not that way at all."
Sevilla said she has been voting since 1992 and this was the first time she felt it was really important that she voted.
In order to make sure everyone's vote is counted, Ward 1 Specialist of the Mayor's Office of Community Relations and Services is making round to the 16 different polling precincts in Ward 1. He has a ballot technician with him who can troubleshoot any problems that come up with the machines. He discovered one problem at the Latin American Youth Center.
"One of the electronic ballots is getting stuck on audio mode so right now we have a technician coming to either repair it or replace it," Gonzalez said.
He said its important that every machine works so everyone can have a chance to vote.
"You see how long these lines are , people have to be able to vote, every machine has to be working efficiently," he said.
--
Traver Riggins
Managing Editor, The Hilltop
815.274.9301
traverriggins@gmail.com
triggins@huhilltop.com
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