As some of you know, my family and I went downtown last night for the election rally. Some of you asked me to share my experience…I fear I lack Victoria’s literary skills, but I will do my best to convey the magic. Regardless of whether you voted for President elect Obama or not, the magnitude of the evening cannot be denied.
As we hopped on the “el” train at Midway airport we were surprised by the number of people with overnight bags flying in to stay with friends, just to be a part of action. When we got off the train, we walked out of the station into the most amazing atmosphere…the air was warm, people were selling everything from t-shirts to buttons to signs and flags. There was no chaos, just this feeling of cautious optimism…kind of ‘dare we hope’?!?!
It was so surreal to be sitting on the steps in Grant Park with my family and watch the diversity of the people gathering. They were white, black, old, young, gay, straight, rich, poor…but all possessed that same hopeful smile. All I can compare it to is that proud team spirit feeling you had as young teenager going to your first high school football game…kind of school spirit mixed with pride mixed with unity?!?! Whatever it was, it was beyond explanation.
We met an elderly couple from Northern Minnesota who had taken a 12 hour train ride to be there. The husband walked with a cane and was clearly exhausted, but more than that, he was determined to be a part of the celebration.
We did not have tickets to the vip part of the rally and the other designated area was far too crowded for my taste. By the time we met up with my sister, sister in law and their children, the line to get into the fenced areas was over a half mile long. There was not a soul in that line that looked anything but elated.
We ate dinner in an open air café across from the park where they were broadcasting the results. As each state was announced, the crowd went wild (as though we were watching a sporting event). I was fixated on this couple in the restaurant who were in their late 50’s or early 60’s. They were a well dressed African American couple, and I was overcome by his face as they watched the results. He had tear filled eyes that glowed with pride. It was while watching his face and the countless faces of those around me that the true magic of the evening hit me.
Our city has born a shameful scar of racial division sine the riots after the 1968 Democratic National Convention. Perhaps this is why so many officials were against having the rally outside in the same place all hell broke loose all those years ago. On this night, there was not a single incident of violence. Not even as all 400,000 of us filed out of the park toward our hotels, trains and busses. We were all far too consumed with a mix of pride, humility and humanity. I have never been so proud to be an American!!!!
I tried all night to remind my kids to really focus on remembering this…how it felt, the magic that was in the air…all of it!!!
As we hopped on the “el” train at Midway airport we were surprised by the number of people with overnight bags flying in to stay with friends, just to be a part of action. When we got off the train, we walked out of the station into the most amazing atmosphere…the air was warm, people were selling everything from t-shirts to buttons to signs and flags. There was no chaos, just this feeling of cautious optimism…kind of ‘dare we hope’?!?!
It was so surreal to be sitting on the steps in Grant Park with my family and watch the diversity of the people gathering. They were white, black, old, young, gay, straight, rich, poor…but all possessed that same hopeful smile. All I can compare it to is that proud team spirit feeling you had as young teenager going to your first high school football game…kind of school spirit mixed with pride mixed with unity?!?! Whatever it was, it was beyond explanation.
We met an elderly couple from Northern Minnesota who had taken a 12 hour train ride to be there. The husband walked with a cane and was clearly exhausted, but more than that, he was determined to be a part of the celebration.
We did not have tickets to the vip part of the rally and the other designated area was far too crowded for my taste. By the time we met up with my sister, sister in law and their children, the line to get into the fenced areas was over a half mile long. There was not a soul in that line that looked anything but elated.
We ate dinner in an open air café across from the park where they were broadcasting the results. As each state was announced, the crowd went wild (as though we were watching a sporting event). I was fixated on this couple in the restaurant who were in their late 50’s or early 60’s. They were a well dressed African American couple, and I was overcome by his face as they watched the results. He had tear filled eyes that glowed with pride. It was while watching his face and the countless faces of those around me that the true magic of the evening hit me.
Our city has born a shameful scar of racial division sine the riots after the 1968 Democratic National Convention. Perhaps this is why so many officials were against having the rally outside in the same place all hell broke loose all those years ago. On this night, there was not a single incident of violence. Not even as all 400,000 of us filed out of the park toward our hotels, trains and busses. We were all far too consumed with a mix of pride, humility and humanity. I have never been so proud to be an American!!!!
I tried all night to remind my kids to really focus on remembering this…how it felt, the magic that was in the air…all of it!!!
