Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Obama Forever
Yvonne over at the Rest of Yesterday supplied the alert that you can make these great Obamicons over at Paste Magazine's site. After fighting to keep back the tears as I watched the inauguration,( I was teaching my journalism class and historical or not, I don't think it's a good look for the prof to break down in tears.) I made this one to represent the feeling of hope and pride that the ceremony inspired in me. Words can't even begin to express all the emotions that are swirling, especially when I see familiar Chicago faces like Desiree Rogers and Jesse Jackson Jr. right there with him. It's a special day, a piece of history that I'll never forget.
Labels: 2008 election, 2009 Inauguration, Barack Obama
Friday, November 7, 2008
A.O. (After Obama)
I'm still numb. I live in Chicago ,where I have seen Barack Obama many times before he started his presidential election campaign. I took my 12-year-old daughter and canvassed for him in Gary, Indiana, knocking on doors and venturing into trailer parks. By the end of October, I knew that he would win, if not just because people are suffering in this country in ways that they never have before. I walked into my polling area and was greeted with two different methods of voting--paper or electronic. I didn't take this lightly. I know of many places where the privilege of voting is not guaranteed and there are no such choices. But I hesitated. Which would be the most fool-proof? Which ballot would be guaranteed as counted? I did not take this lightly either. A poll watcher saw my hesitation and explained that both methods were backed up with an electronic disc. I chose electronic because I figured my photos would come out better.
I took a photo of my voting card.
After I cast my ballot and attached my "I voted" sticker, I drifted out of the polling place, dazed. A woman stopped to ask how long the lines were. She had voted early and waited for 3 hours. We talked for an hour about history, injustice and how change would have to come, one way or another. I feel the change already. People are smiling and giddy everywhere. I have received calls and congratulations from all over the world. It's like we all participated in a global push for change and it worked. It's here. It's just going to take a while for me to absorb it.
Labels: 2008 election, Barack Obama, Chicago voting, Obama
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