On Making History

"I'm asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington... I'm asking you to believe in yours." --Barack Obama from barackobama.com

There are moments in time that stick with you always. And I have a collection of them from last night when Barack Obama was elected President of the United States.

Watching live election results with hundreds of thousands in Grant Park, I was struck by the enormity of this nation and our election. Most importantly, I saw the strength that’s possible when people pull together.

To me, this election was never about Obama becoming the first African American president, although the significance of that accomplishment can’t and shouldn’t be overlooked. Instead, it was about how he managed to get Americans like me to believe in the possibility of a better America again, and to take action to help make it happen. I hope that trend continues and grows during his presidency.

I won’t soon forget what it felt like to be cheering in that crowd when the election was called, or how I felt when I started to cry during Obama’s speech. But I think the smaller quieter moments will stay with me even longer.

I’ll remember the young girl I met in the mob on Congress Street who went all the way to Kentucky to cast her vote because her absentee ballot wasn’t delivered, and then drove back to Chicago to get in a few hours of work before the rally.

I’ll remember the older African American man I exchanged a glance with as he gingerly made his way across the grass with the help of a cane and a companion. There was such a calm knowing in his eyes that seemed to say, “Yes. We are both going to witness history. It will happen. Aren’t you glad you’re here?” He held my gaze, and we both smiled.

I’ll remember walking down the center of Michigan Ave. for blocks in the throng after the rally was over, cheers and Obama chants echoing off the buildings.

I’ll remember the look on my friend Geo’s face when he saw just how close the race was in Indiana.

“I knocked on doors there,” he said. “Maybe some of the votes I got for Obama made a difference!”

And I’ll remember what a friend told me today.

“There’s still a ton of work to do, but we got the promise of our country back.”