Flashback: Euphoric fist pumping, face streaked with tears, an unfortunate back-up-the-booty-dance and a few too many sips of sparkling wine… that was how my evening capped off a year ago today. Believe it or not, I was not yet blogging (I know, seems like I've been here for years already) or on Twitter or Facebook so my primary forms of broadcasting my emotions were to send out multiple texts while dialing furiously on both cell and home phone. BougieMom and I did a modernized version of the twist while chanting, "We did it, uh-huh, we did it, okay! Obama! Obama! Obama!" (You had to be there, it was very catchy.)
After I talked to everybody I ever met, I settled down in the middle of my bed (still clutching the wine) to watch the Grant Park celebration. And then I stayed up half the night watching and re-watching every pundit, reaction footage and news clip available. It was overwhelming. I am a confirmed conspiracy theorist and I firmly believed that "they" would find some way to deny Obama his victory. Still sometimes today, I look up when they announce the President of the United States and think – oh yeah… and then I smile. In the immortal words of Mr. Sam Cooke, "It's long, long, long time coming but I know a change gonna come." Well, he's trying to bring it to us, folks. We are living history.
You may have noticed that I've made a dedicated effort to avoid politics for a few weeks, I just got burned out. Too much vitriol on both sides of the fence. This doesn't mean that I don't believe that each of us are the drivers of change. Whether you believe he is doing a great job or driving the country into the ground, it's noteworthy to take a moment and appreciate the mountain he climbed to get where he is. So today after you get out and get your vote on, take a moment and raise a toast up to the 44th President of these here United States: Barack Obama. Tonight, HBO is kicking off their documentary about his historic election: By the People. Be sure and check it out. Here's a trailer:
Any memories of election night 2008 to share? Where were you a year ago today?
11 Bougie Thought(s):
I was dancing around my apartment with my (now Ex) S.O. You would've thought we won the lotto. I called my grandfather (who is 87) and he just said with a deep sigh - glad I made it to see this.
First may I say your drinks always look delicious! Why a Blue Hawaiian - wait, now I get it. Blue for Democrat, Hawaiian for Obama - I'm slow - that's funny!
ANYWAY - I was kissing strangers in Grant Park. No lie just dancing and crying and hugging people I had never met before. I didn't get home until four in the morning and yes - I went extra-Negro and called in with the We-Gotta-Black-President-What-Ya'll-Gonna-Do-About-It-Flu the next day.
I worked the phones that day and drove a very people to voting stations so I was at an election watching party that night. I like you thought for sure they'd find a way to keep him from winning even though every poll we had said he was in. I started drinking early. And yes, I stayed up late. Like you said - living history. I didn't want to miss a moment.
Downtown Denver at a watching party - I don't recall having felt that joyous and hopeful about this country in my life. Didn't take them long to kill my post-election glow though.
I was sick as a dog and feel asleep early and woke up at midnight saying - what happened? What? He WON? Got up danced around, took some Nyquil and back to bed. Then the next morning I had to double check that it wasn't a dream.
Funny - I had that same flu - LOL
I was at my mom's house holding my breath. As you said, the whole thing seemed surreal. Definitely never thought I'd see it in my lifetime.
I was visiting friends in Atlanta and went to a watching party at a huge church near Buckhead. Afterwards, we went someone's house and cried, laughed, drank champagne - listened to a lot of Stevie Wonder. great night, I hope they give him the opportunity to do what he's trying to do.
I was too nervous to go to a party, I watched from home until after the announcement. Then I went out and got my party on
Blue Hawaiian are delicious but taste like Blue Koolaid and will knock you on your ass if you don't watch it. I was in Grant Park as well. Most amazing outpouring of group love that I have ever seen. I told someone - Grant Park was my Woodstock, thank you!
I'd never seen the picture of him waiting on returns - great shot.
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