Decision2008

After working in Brooklyn Center on Election Day I hitched a ride to St. Paul for the DFL party at the Crown Plaza Hotel. There were as many screens with election updates as cash bars. My group and I were lucky to get invited into a private room with free food and booze with a group called “America Votes.” After being on my feet all day a few drinks were exactly what I needed. I was confidant Obama would win. The people around me said it’s hard for them to be optimistic after working elections that they were also confident about only to lose in the end. I remember telling my dad that I didn’t understand why the Democratics wouldn’t win this presidential race many months ago while my dad responded, “People are stupid Janelle.” After canvassing for almost 3 weeks and talking to so many people, I couldn’t agree more. I honestly think most people are stupid. Political races are jokes. They are insulting to people’s intelligence. People complain so much about rumors and aggressive slanted commercials, but they would never have all these things if they didn’t work. Most people don’t really know what they believe in. Most people didn’t know who they were voting for in the Senate race up until the day. One woman I talked to canvassing in Brooklyn Park got the giggles on Halloween after I asked her who she was voting for in the Presidential and Senate races. When I asked her why she was laughing she said she was embarrassed she didn’t know. I assured her she was not the only one that didn’t know. They say ignorance is bliss, but I don’t believe this. There would be an insane amount of happy people if this were true.
When Obama was announced President Elect everyone went wild. People were jumping up and down giving high fives and hugs to strangers. It was amazing celebrating the moment with so many passionate people. “Celebrate” was playing loudly and people were chanting, “Yes we can!” After McCain gave his surprisingly impressive concession speech, Obama came on. From the moment he walked out onto the stage in front of thousands celebrating people in Chicago, I had chills. I knew it was one of those moments that I would look back on for the rest of my life. I think his speech gave hope to everyone around the world, even his critics.
Not only did it give me hope, but for the first time in a long while, I felt proud to be American.