I ate breakfast and headed to my polling place - Monsanto Life Sciences Building at the University of Missouri Campus. I waited in line for about an hour to cast my vote. Under normal circumstances, I would have voted Libertarian. So much was at stake with this election and I couldn't have lived with the regret and guilt if I had voted Libertarian. Rightfully, I voted for change - for a stronger economy, for better health care, for affordable higher education, for reformed early childhood education and increased support for teachers, for a cleaner environment and renewable energy, for equal rights for everyone, and for a more diplomatic approach to foreign affairs. I voted for Barack Obama.
I headed down to the Obama headquarters in town around 11:30. I met up with an awesome woman from Kansas City named Greta. Turns out she lives a half block from where I used to live in KC. We canvassed Columbia's First Ward district - a predominantly black, low-income neighborhood. As I walked down the street in my Obama t-shirt, people of all ages, races and classes yelled and honked in support. It was so much fun connecting with people, encouraging them to get to the polls, urging them to vote and helping them to believe that their vote DOES matter. If they needed a ride to the polls, I called and arranged it. Seeing all the people come together to instill change in this community - in this country - was breathtaking. I'm proud to have been a part of it.
I spent the evening at the Ragtag Cinemacafe's Election Coverage Party. The crowd was eclectic and excited. Some were visibly nervous. A girl with whom I shared my table spilled a full glass of water missing my laptop by millimeters. Phew! Still others passed out blank maps of the United States and red and blue crayolas. We colored our maps as the election results came in state by state. The music was about hope and change and happy times. People were bubbly. Soon, the room hushed, all eyes diverted to the TV as McCain delivered an eloquent secessional speech.
People danced, whistled, screamed, clapped and cheered with delight at the news of Obama's victory. Some, even cried. My words will never be able to convey the emotion of the night. Here's what it looked like:
What's an Election Day without cupcakes?
Even Bunnies Luv Obama!
A portion of the crowd during McCain's secessional speech
The headline on MSNBC's website during McCain's speech
Obama's victory speech
MSNBC's headline during Barack's speech
Yours truly on Election Day 2008Yes, we can!
