At the Rally with Amber (and President Elect Obama)!

Yes We Can! And Yes we did! (And yes, the road ahead is very very long.) Last Tuesday as the nation waited in anticipation and watched as the returns come in for the most historical presidential election in our time I was headed down to Grant Park to take part in the rally. (I apologize for the delays (cough- cough, Mom and B) but here it is...

Even though the gates opened at 8:30 PM for ticket holders, I had this little inconvenience I like to call "grad school" and so I wasn't able to get downtown until 8:30 and drop off my purse at Kathryn's (my plus 1 and new friend from Loyola) and then jumped back on the el and headed south to Grant Park. Braving the crowds and long lines going through a securities we finally reached the rally around 9ish and it was packed...


Both of us being "vertically challenged" we had to be satisfied with occasional glances at the jumbo-tron which was tuned to CNN and the crowd would go wild as the results came in (I even did a little gig when the Ohio was welcomed as a blue state-all it took was for me, Mom and Don to move but we still sent in our new absentee ballots!)
We took a break from the patiently waiting revelers and got some deep dish (a rally in Chicago would not be complete without some of their famous pizza) and then back to stand and dance and cheer with the crowd.
The amazing thing about the crowd was how diverse it was which I think is symbolic of this election. There were all kinds of people down at Grant Park. Young, old, black, white, American born citizens and new citizens who voted for the first time (and insisted on filming the entire rally-crazy crowd and all). And everyone was so happy! And cheerful! And respectful when CNN aired McCain giving his concession speech and everyone clapped when his supporters booed Obama (but it's easy to be gracious when your pick wins). But I think it is important to keep in mind that this election is not only a triumph for the Democratic party in what was a knock-down-drag-out election but a significant triumph for the American people. The first African-American elected to the highest office in our nation but an amazing voter turnout (so thank you to all those PSAs and volunteers) and I think that our country is at time when we can stop being blue states and red states but be one big purple country! And we can once again unite and take pride in our great nation. Last Tuesday night was the first time I could say how proud I am of America as awhole and to say I am an American (don't get me wrong I have been proud of previous "American moments" but never in my last time.)

That's me throwing out the "peace sign". I was torn between thumbs up and the peace sign and I went the timeless peace sign because "they" say every single person votes for one or two reason or issues. (the economy, the war, social issues, health care, fill in the blank here______.) I decided that I vote for peace: world peace, peace among our citizens and peace of mind.

And then the grand news came that America elected Barack Obama as the next president of the United States! And the amount emotions I felt at the time and following are too numerous to list but lets just say I was moved to tears by his speech and the significance of that moment and still can't put articulately into words. And so with my fellow Chicagoains (even Oprah was there) and fellow Americans I watched and listened (I had no idea that such a large group of people could be so quiet) with anticipation as President Elect Obama addressed the country.

We were pretty far back so I had to take pictures of the screen and it was extra zoomed and my hand wouldn't stay still so I apologize for the blurriness.

The first family! I love the Obama family. They are so cute, charming and an American family. (And regardless of what the talking heads said, I loved Michelle's dress and how she coordinated the girls with her dress and his ties). And I am so so so excited to have a young family in the White House!

P.E. Obama addresses those of us at Grant Park and the nation. My favorite part of his speech was when he spoke to those who didn't vote for him and told them he would be their president. I could definiately pick up on the somberness of his demeanor and I wonder when he began to realize the burden and work he has ahead of himself. (So if you are praying person or just a "warm thoughts thinker" pray/think of P.E. Obama and our country because we came along way last Tuesday but we have a lot further to go and I think he is the man that can get back on our feet.)
Looking back at the crowd...keep in mind this is only section. There was the VIP section which was right by the stage, the ticket holder section (where we were) and then the general crowd that was a ways back beyond the Buckingham Fountain. And then everyone spilled out onto Michigan Avenue which was an amazing spectable and one those moments I will remember forever. Side note: soon after moving to Chicago I realized that I am happy to be here now but I don't plan on staying here after I get my master's so I have set about collection "Chicago moments" and this night at the rally and walking down one of the most shopping streets in the world in the greatest city.


And then I headed north on the train which took forever because it was so crowded. And I apologize that I didn't capture the euphoria of that night (my fault for procrastinating) but it was a significant night and as a professional historian who spends considerable amount of time studying these significant moments (and interpreting them) I feel so lucky to have been there. Although I don't wish away time I look forward to hear and see what historians say about this election and that night. So regardless if you agree with me or not, this was a great night for America!