For the People

Election Day 2008

I have decided that the highlight of my evening actually happened after we left Kara and Jon's little Election Day party. On the way home, we stopped by Kroger and there were 5 people at the front of the store: 4 African Americans, and 1 Sudanese girl. As we walked through, someone announced over the PA system that Barack Obama was officially announced to be the next President of the United States. The people looked up as we walked in, and I gave a little kick of excitement at the announcement. Their faces were lit up with smiles, and this young guy who had just voted in what could only be his first Presidential election, gave Chris a huge high five as we walked past. The Sudanese girl was running around on her cell phone and talking excitedly in another language to the person on the other end of the line. This was not about the candidate. This was about American people feeling empowered and influencial in a governement that otherwise seems distant and unlikely to affect our small lives. I am so excited to stand up with record numbers of Americans, especially young adults, and prove that we can be informed and active citizens, no matter who we voted for today. I am thankful for Barack Obama's campaign, that he gave us a platform to unite us as a group, and I hope that we continue to be informed as the transition begins and real work starts to take place. This is not an end. This is only the tip of an iceberg-for black Americans, young adults, and for people who never thought their voice would make a difference. Welcome to the government that was designed by the people and for the people of America.