Yes We Did

After this recent election, I feel an overwhelming sense of pride. I am so proud that I am a real part of this historic event. I am almost twenty-one. This is the first year that I voted. I go to school in Chicago, but ended up filling out an absentee ballot for Indiana. I am so proud to be a Hosier right now. Indiana voted to elect a Democratic candidate for the first time in about forty-four years (LBJ). This fact in itself is absolutely huge.

I am also incredibly proud to currently be in Chicago. On the night of the election, there was a feeling in the air that is really hard to describe. It was a feeling of hope, mixed with a little anticipation and worry, with a hint of cheery lightheartedness. At around 9 pm, I went to a little on-campus cafeteria to find the guy serving the french fries and pieces of pizza shouting, "Obama," and singing (using a broom handle as a microphone). The streets were crowded with people.

Almost immediately after the results were announced, fireworks starting going off outside my window. Car horns began honking. People were shouting in the streets. None of it was angry shouting. People were suddenly experiencing pure, unadulterated joy. It could not be contained. Why should it? After a long period of political turmoil and uncertainty, this was a true relief that we were experiencing.

I was watching CNN during the counting. I looked to the screen and saw so many people crying in Grant Park. This was such a true relief. I could not help but cry a little too. This was a truly wonderful and historic event, and I was part of it. I am so proud of myself, my school and my town. I am proud of America. I don't mean the history of America or the ideals or symbols behind it. I mean its people. We were a part of this. We were the ones that did it. We are the ones that will change America. Yes We Can and YES WE DID!