Im not sure if this election really felt different than others, better than others, or more significant than others to anyone else, but to me, it felt powerful. Im not sure of the difference because I never really payed attention to any other election. I remember being eighteen and my dad took me to the polling place closest to our house. It was the fire station across the street from my elementary school. It was a little grey outside, misty, but not raining. I was wear tennis shoes and jeans. I didn't really know what the voting was for, or who was running, I just did what my dad said, "Vote for any and everything Republican." And as much as I probably agreed with my dad then, because I agreed with my dad about most things, I didn't really care.
This year I took the day off work. I've worked on days when I had fevers, and bronchitis, and pounding headaches, I can take a day off for something that should be a holiday anyway (what's the point of democracy if people can't get an hour off work to participate in it?). It was nice-ish weather. Nice compared to the rain lately (although I do admit I like the rain). I got my coffee, walked into the Army Salvation building, and with only 3 other people in line, cast my vote. When it came down to it I felt a little anxious and nervous that I would accidentally connect the arrow wrong.
I spent half the day at the beach. I haven't been to Ocean beach in quite some time, what keeps bringing me back to this particular beach is the awesome little coffee shop on Judah. I love it. My girlfriend and started talking to this 56 year old woman. This exchange probably never would have happened had both of us not had dogs in tote. I think ours was cuter, but anyway. She commented on how happy everyone seemed, everywhere. And it was true.
After a few mimosas and hours of poll watching later, a bunch of us made our way up to a bar where more poll watching ensued, and just after we filled Ohio in blue on our election maps, Obama was named President Elect. It was pretty damn awesome. I cheered, I teared up, I hugged everyone I saw, and everyone did the same. McCain came on, and really, I felt bad for the guy. I think he is actually a good guy, and has experienced a lot many of us have not. But that does not mean he should run this country, it was not his time, not his year. I think he means well, but his narrowmindedness is outdated. Compared to recent elections I feel like the Obama win was kind of a landslide. He took Nevada for pete's sake. Colorado, Virginia, Ohio. And by the way, no president has ever won an election without winning Ohio.
There were people everywhere. Blocking intersections. Honking, cheering, together. On this same night the people decided to elect a black man for president, of the entire country, the people of California decided that there are still some human beings that don't deserve the rights of others. People are still spending money, and time, and gray hair to discriminate PEOPLE on other fronts. A friend had a post up today that said, "Chickens have more rights than people".
In some counties prop 8 only won 50.4% to 49.6%. To all that 50.4% when do I get to vote on your marriage?
result map and article