I am crying as I write this, full of emotion for an awful lot of reasons. I can barely see the keyboard but I have to get this out, both to Newsvine and to Britain. I will feel better when I have said it, if I can find the words to say it.
But this is no time to rush things, so let's begin at the beginning. I started November 4, 2008, being interviewed by phone by Alice Gomstyn of ABCNews.com in New York. She had read one of my articles about the potential impact of an Obama president on 'people of colour' and wanted to question me further. But the day was about to get even better. I was told that I had a letter at the front desk, would I collect it? Yes I did, and received a cheque for one of my books I had actually given to someone after we had been speaking about her problems with her daughter. But she felt the meeting was so helpful, she wanted to pay for the book to help my work. Being surprised at this gesture seemed to be a pathetic understatement.
My emails told me, about midday, that crowds were already gathering in Grant Park. I was promised a ticket from someone rather senior at Illinois HQ but, as the person wasn't around when I was there on my last day, I didn't get it. I resigned to watching on TV. Then a supporter mentioned in an email how her sister didn't want to go and she could take a guest. Suddenly quite a few emails were fired off asking to be her guest. I thought I would do the same too, but didn't think I stood a chance, not really with so much demand. But back came the magical words, to my surprise, "Elaine, sure, please be my guest!"
Joy of joys, I would be in a prime spot in Grant Park!!
Tammy Mack was slim, beautiful with a lovely personality. As soon as she saw me, she hugged me as if she had known me for ages. She was glad I wanted to come as she didn't want to be on her own. We were at the park by 5.30pm in the ticket holders line. There were so many people there so early, when we started to move inside she took my hand firmly and said, "I don't want you getting lost, so let me hold your hand." I felt incredibly blessed at that moment, as though I was with a relative and not someone I barely knew.
Tons of checkpoints later and we were in. The atmosphere was electric as more and more people arrived squashing us all together like sardines, but happy sardines revelling in the moment. Sadly, I did get detached from Tammy who went to see in some friends, but found myself, about 12 rows from the front, among a group of four, headed by Joe who was pretty knowledgeable, pretty vocal and pretty good at taking photographs. He began to announce to everyone around me how I was from the UK, to gasps of wonder! I felt like a star! :o) When the results began to come in through CNN, every Obama win was cheered wildly, amidst shouts of YES WE CAN!, and much dancing with glee, while every McCain win was greeted with loud groans and thumbs down!!
Winning by a Landslide
Then the moment everyone had waited for. CNN announced that Obama was the 44th President of the United States and Grant Park erupted. It was a huge landslide, as I had expected and predicted this past week. People just started hugging me, and each other. The men around me were holding their heads in wonder or crying in sheer disbelief. I kept pinching myself that I was actually the only Brit for miles standing among new friends, of all colours and creeds, saying YES WE DID!! in the middle of Chicago, it seemed so unreal. Words cannot describe that incredible moment in history. People who had feared that Obama might have been robbed of his victory felt they could now exhale in relief. They could stop living on their nerves, they could shout for joy and savour the impossible. And, boy, did they let go!!
The star spangled banner was sung to herald the new man in the White House and the crowd joined in. It was so moving. When President-Elect Obama and his First Family came to the stage, I couldn't believe I was standing just a few feet from them and could see them up close. Wow, wow, wow! Then when he gave his awesome acceptance speech, and told the story of the life of that 106 year old voter, interspersing every event in her lifetime with YES WE CAN! it was more than magical. It was simply surreal as we all shouted the words in unison after him.
Coming out of the park I was interviewed by television crews from Latvia, the Netherlands, Japan and the great NBC which did a long piece on me, as they were obviously fascinated by a Brit being there and wanted to know why. I hope my son in Japan see the interview I did with that crew. My instincts told me I was in the right place at the right time.
For me, the election of Barack Obama heralded a few simple things: in the Park
* People hugging one another without even thinking of race, gender or creed;
* People bonding together very easily without fear or mistrust.
* A black woman giving high fives to all the white people she met while shouting "We did it for President Obama!"
* A young white guy wanting to exchange views about it all, checking on my welfare and how I was going to get home, wanting to see me back safely if I had any fears.
* Blacks appeared to be walking taller and with new confidence in an America that now reflected their presence at the highest level.
The Real Potential
It was a most amazing experience standing without food or water for over 6 hours yet not feeling hungry or thirsty in the least, because the moment was so overwhelming. Yes, we were all tired by midnight, but who cared? There was just no other place I wanted to be except to witness the dawn of a new America in the home state of the man who was about to make that possible.
This morning I opened my mailbox and there was the most amazing email, from Tanilan, on Newsvine. It said simply:
"Last night as the election came to an end and Obama took the stage in Chicago, you were the first person I thought about! Thank you for coming to America and helping out with our political process! You are awesome and, I think I share the same sediments as many on the vine, we love you!"
That just did it, as the tears started afresh. I love you too, my American adopted family. Thanks for the awesome welcome, the hospitality and the tolerance. I have learnt so much about America, about its elections, its people and its potential. As usual, Britain is light years behind America, but we always follow in its footsteps so look for change across the Pond too because everything you do have an effect on us. Believe that we are truly envious of your new beginning today.
A British Barack might not happen in my lifetime, but it is inevitable. However, I saw the American one, up front and personal, and, just for the moment, that's good enough for me! Personally, thanks to Newsvine and my new insights, my life will never be the same again either.
In a few years time, when he has finished his term of office, when I am back in Britain reminiscing on this moment, when someone says: "Elaine, where were you on November 4, 2008 when they elected Barack Obama?"
I will smile smugly, eyes glistening with joy as I answer: "In Grant Park, Chicago, shouting YES WE DID!" And that kind of experience is priceless. As an 'ordinary' person, I helped to make history, and was there when it happened, far more than an official reporter would have done.
Great thanks to Tammy Mack, to Joe, to all my Newsvine friends, to the unknown guy who walked halfway with me because he wanted to hear my views and to make sure I was safe. God Bless America!
Indeed.
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