PRESIDENT ELECT OBAMA CHANGED THE GAME
By Keith L. Forest
I cannot begin to describe the anxious joy I felt in my heart on Election Day. I knew we were on the dawn of history and I like so many folks of color, felt restless. I guess our restlessness comes from carrying the burden - though much lighter - of being decedents of slaves. As the “promised” decedents of former share croppers and domestic servants, we have been carrying the burden of claiming our ancestor’s “40 Acres and a Mule” for some time. Though Presidential hopeful Obama cannot amend the wrong this nation has done to a people nor distribute those mules and acres, the audacity of helping elect a man of color into the white house is award enough.
This election was laced with so many promises and inspirational “hope” not just for African Americans but people in general. Hope for an end to the war; hope for more jobs and better healthcare; hope for a better America. However, most importantly it gives our children hope that they too can aspire to think, do and achieve the impossible.
In Bed Stuy, I shared this awesome sense of being a part of history with neighbors as we like thousands of Americans all over these United States, got out of our beds at the crack of dawn to stand in long lines to cast a vote for a President that just so happens to be African American was overwhelming. Unlike our ancestors before us, we were not attacked by baton wielding cops, angry dogs or sprayed by fire hose to intimidate us. Fortunately for us our legal right to vote was sealed by the blood of those ancestors who marched before us. Yet, a nervous, somber peace rested on our shoulders as we anticipated casting our votes in what was sure a historical election. This shared anticipation was embraced by light chatter and pleasant conversations and laced with hope and aspiration. There was the lady behind me who well in her thirties was nervous and embarrassed to admit that she was voting for the first time. There was also the smiling faces of our neighborhood elders who proudly shared their stories of the segregated south and tearfully relived the painful memories of barking dogs, police brutality they and others endured in an effort to enforce this basic human right. This was truly an remarkable day filled with limitless possibilities.
After voting I was overwhelmed with a desire to do something, anything to seal the faith of this profound day. So I headed over to Obama’s local Bedford Stuyvesant headquarters to volunteer. The attendant asks if I could pass out some call polling volunteer fliers at my polling station. When I returned to the polling station, I was so amazed to see the steady stream of traffic of voters. There were so many young folks; young parents brought their children and older children brought their parent. One young man I met was accompanied by his sleepy 5 year old son. “Tell them what you did?” the father shouted. “Tell him how you pulled the level for Obama! O Bam A, O Bam A,” he gleefully screamed causing his bashful son to smile.
Even the misquided young men we see spending countless hours on the corner made it to the polls. “Yo, did you vote yet son?” I heard one ask another. “Yo kid don’t bring you’re sorry (bleep) over here unless you vote fam.” He said.
After voting and volunteering for the Obama: Biden ticket I went to work where my co-workers and I anxiously busied ourselves throughout the day. All of us avoided following the news for fear of jinxing the process.
After work a friend and I headed over to Rockefeller Broadcast plaza where there were 4 jumbotron screens broadcasting the historical event. Upon entering the compound, souvenir maps were handed out explaining the Electoral College. On the back was a list of all the states with their corresponding electoral points. As I watched the numerous tourists and people from various nationalities buzzed around for a position to view this defying moment, I heard the voice of Harlem call and obediently answered. For a moment like this I wanted to stand in the place Marcus, Malcolm and Martin stood. I wanted to feel their spirit surround me as Senator Obama ascend the proverbial mountain top Martin promised. So we dashed towards the subway to catch the fastest train heading uptown where we were greeted and embraced by a sea of people just as excited and anxious as we were to lay their burden down and embrace a change so desperately needed.
The first results had already started coming in placing Obama at around 170 to McCain's two-digit figure. More Midwest states pored in pushing McCain's closer to capturing a hundred points. Then PA came in with a sizable electoral votes going to Obama. The crowd roared. Sometime during the evening, Pennsylvania had come in placing 21 additional electoral points on Obama Side. Virginia followed declaring an additional 13 point. Ohio, another swing state swayed its way to Obama’s side with Florida prime to follow. Then the clock began counting down the polls closing on the west coast where Obama was projected to sweep California, Washington, Nevada, and his home state of Hawaii. Five – all eyes were transfixed on the jumbotron screen; four – couples and family members began to embrace; three – lips tightened in anticipation; two –the moment of truth finally arrive; one - "CNN has projected SENATOR OBAMA THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES” flashed across the screen causing the crowd to let out a roaring cheer. Scream vibrated throughout the universe, justice was served.
It has been a few week and yet I still get choked up with joy. Tears flow ever so freely down my cheek every time I relive that moment in time. Tears shed for the sealed future of our children who have been given limitless hope and opportunities now that Senator Obama has cracked the glass ceiling. Yes they can be president of these Unites States. Yes they can dream their biggest dreams and accomplish their brightest goals. Yes they can. Yes they can. Yes they can.
By Keith L. Forest
I cannot begin to describe the anxious joy I felt in my heart on Election Day. I knew we were on the dawn of history and I like so many folks of color, felt restless. I guess our restlessness comes from carrying the burden - though much lighter - of being decedents of slaves. As the “promised” decedents of former share croppers and domestic servants, we have been carrying the burden of claiming our ancestor’s “40 Acres and a Mule” for some time. Though Presidential hopeful Obama cannot amend the wrong this nation has done to a people nor distribute those mules and acres, the audacity of helping elect a man of color into the white house is award enough.
This election was laced with so many promises and inspirational “hope” not just for African Americans but people in general. Hope for an end to the war; hope for more jobs and better healthcare; hope for a better America. However, most importantly it gives our children hope that they too can aspire to think, do and achieve the impossible.
In Bed Stuy, I shared this awesome sense of being a part of history with neighbors as we like thousands of Americans all over these United States, got out of our beds at the crack of dawn to stand in long lines to cast a vote for a President that just so happens to be African American was overwhelming. Unlike our ancestors before us, we were not attacked by baton wielding cops, angry dogs or sprayed by fire hose to intimidate us. Fortunately for us our legal right to vote was sealed by the blood of those ancestors who marched before us. Yet, a nervous, somber peace rested on our shoulders as we anticipated casting our votes in what was sure a historical election. This shared anticipation was embraced by light chatter and pleasant conversations and laced with hope and aspiration. There was the lady behind me who well in her thirties was nervous and embarrassed to admit that she was voting for the first time. There was also the smiling faces of our neighborhood elders who proudly shared their stories of the segregated south and tearfully relived the painful memories of barking dogs, police brutality they and others endured in an effort to enforce this basic human right. This was truly an remarkable day filled with limitless possibilities.
After voting I was overwhelmed with a desire to do something, anything to seal the faith of this profound day. So I headed over to Obama’s local Bedford Stuyvesant headquarters to volunteer. The attendant asks if I could pass out some call polling volunteer fliers at my polling station. When I returned to the polling station, I was so amazed to see the steady stream of traffic of voters. There were so many young folks; young parents brought their children and older children brought their parent. One young man I met was accompanied by his sleepy 5 year old son. “Tell them what you did?” the father shouted. “Tell him how you pulled the level for Obama! O Bam A, O Bam A,” he gleefully screamed causing his bashful son to smile.
Even the misquided young men we see spending countless hours on the corner made it to the polls. “Yo, did you vote yet son?” I heard one ask another. “Yo kid don’t bring you’re sorry (bleep) over here unless you vote fam.” He said.
After voting and volunteering for the Obama: Biden ticket I went to work where my co-workers and I anxiously busied ourselves throughout the day. All of us avoided following the news for fear of jinxing the process.
After work a friend and I headed over to Rockefeller Broadcast plaza where there were 4 jumbotron screens broadcasting the historical event. Upon entering the compound, souvenir maps were handed out explaining the Electoral College. On the back was a list of all the states with their corresponding electoral points. As I watched the numerous tourists and people from various nationalities buzzed around for a position to view this defying moment, I heard the voice of Harlem call and obediently answered. For a moment like this I wanted to stand in the place Marcus, Malcolm and Martin stood. I wanted to feel their spirit surround me as Senator Obama ascend the proverbial mountain top Martin promised. So we dashed towards the subway to catch the fastest train heading uptown where we were greeted and embraced by a sea of people just as excited and anxious as we were to lay their burden down and embrace a change so desperately needed.
The first results had already started coming in placing Obama at around 170 to McCain's two-digit figure. More Midwest states pored in pushing McCain's closer to capturing a hundred points. Then PA came in with a sizable electoral votes going to Obama. The crowd roared. Sometime during the evening, Pennsylvania had come in placing 21 additional electoral points on Obama Side. Virginia followed declaring an additional 13 point. Ohio, another swing state swayed its way to Obama’s side with Florida prime to follow. Then the clock began counting down the polls closing on the west coast where Obama was projected to sweep California, Washington, Nevada, and his home state of Hawaii. Five – all eyes were transfixed on the jumbotron screen; four – couples and family members began to embrace; three – lips tightened in anticipation; two –the moment of truth finally arrive; one - "CNN has projected SENATOR OBAMA THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES” flashed across the screen causing the crowd to let out a roaring cheer. Scream vibrated throughout the universe, justice was served.
It has been a few week and yet I still get choked up with joy. Tears flow ever so freely down my cheek every time I relive that moment in time. Tears shed for the sealed future of our children who have been given limitless hope and opportunities now that Senator Obama has cracked the glass ceiling. Yes they can be president of these Unites States. Yes they can dream their biggest dreams and accomplish their brightest goals. Yes they can. Yes they can. Yes they can.
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