History, Justice, Freedom and Victory Throughout the World

By Dena Newman
Writer
www.choice-enterprise.com

On the morning of Election Day, I got up early to prepare for what I thought was going to be the longest day of my life.  I packed my camera and water and made sure that I wore my comfortable shoes just in case I had to stand up for several hours.  As I arrived at the election polls, my neighbor greeted me and we agreed that it was our day and we needed a landslide to win the election and win it fast.  We were both in excitement to see the long lines and the number of cars parked on both sides of the street.  I decided that I would interview some of the people in line and take as many photos as possible.

It was rejuvenating to see so many young people voting for the first time.  I talked to several people who, until now, did not believe that voting ever made a difference.  It was evident that Obama had made an impact on their decision to vote. These people, both African-American men and women between the ages of 30 and 45, believed in Obama’s message of change. As I moved closer to the entrance of the building, my conversation focused more on why we believed that Obama would win the election. The majority of the people that I talked to were concerned about high gas prices, the economic crisis with the real estate industry, the high rate of unemployment, health care costs and most important, bringing the troops home.Once inside the building, I noticed that the line wrapped around a long hallway before making it’s way through the doors where the voting booths were. One hour had passed by and we finally made it down the first hallway. As I stood resting against the wall, my feet were getting tired I was getting thirsty. My neighbor, who was standing in line next to me, found a chair and several of us were able to take turns sitting. As funny as it may sound, we pushed that chair along and waited patiently in line for another 45 minutes. As we waited, a volunteer saved the day by dropping off several cases of bottled water and my thirst was quenched.

Suddenly, a voice said to me, “Right this way, please.” I walked swiftly to the next available person and gave my name and presented my driver’s license.  The computer appeared to be broken and I began to get a little nervous but it had nothing to do with me and just needed a minor adjustment. I received my voting card and off I went to cast my vote.  I took my time and was relaxed.  When I was done, I received my “I Voted” sticker.  I felt popular as I walked out of the building that day and I knew in my heart that it would be the day that we would “change.”  It appeared to me that every person realized, his or her vote counted on that day and together we could make a difference and together we could make a change.  Later that night, I met my friend and photographer, Linda Shaw, at the LaFontaine Blu Hotel for the Democratic Election Results Celebration.  It was my first time attending and there was an enormous turn out.  Many politicians were in attendance including, County Executive Jack Johnson, Senator Anthony Muse, Congresswomen Donna Edwards and others. We were ecstatic as the results rolled in so quickly. The atmosphere was almost unbelievable. Senator Anthony Muse delivered a prayer that resulted in a roaring cheer and everyone began to chant, “Yes, we can!”  It was the most amazing night and it included people from all walks of life–from the mailman to the Upper Marlboro lawyer. We were there for one purpose, one result and one man.  As the final numbers came in we were watching the screen like our lives depended on it. It was just moments until we would witness the declaration that Barack Obama had won the election deeming him the 2008 President Elect of the United States of America.  I took a deep breath and was teary eyed and happy all at the same time. As I looked around the room, people were screaming, crying, hugging and chanting, “Yes we did! Yes we did!”

It was a little before midnight when President Elect Obama gave his acceptance speech and I think my favorite part of the speech was when he said the following: “The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you. We as a people will get there.” That was a day that the Lord had made and we rejoiced and were glad in it.  I don’t believe that He brought President Elect Obama this far to leave him.  Many people around the United States and around the world celebrated President Elect Obama’s victory.  I asked a few friends and my mom, who is 82 years young, to send me a quote about what it felt like the moment they witnessed the results on November 4, 2008:
 
“I’d always believed that a black man could be President of the United States of America. I just thought they would never let him win. I’m happy that I lived to see it and I knew one day the bottom would come to the top. The Bible speaks of it.”

 Mary Elder
St. Mary’s County, Maryland 82 years young
 
“President Elect Barack Obama’s win has restored my confidence in the American Dream and further confirms the fact that with God all things are possible!”

Karon Mason-Etienne
Brandywine, MD

“At the end of every tunnel is light.  After eight years in the tunnel we have seen the light!”

Carla White
 Laurel, MD

“Wow!  Blessings!  President-Elect Barack Obama!
 I felt great.  I felt good…but the struggle is still on to achieve equality. ”

 Ed & Delores Saunders
 
“I have followed Barack Obama and the Democratic Campaign since as early as May 2007, when he spoke in Richmond, VA. I traveled to most of the Virginia campaign stops and photographed multiple events including the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Denver, CO, and the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) in Washington, DC.  I knew that he was going to the White House.  Words can’t really express how I feel.  When Virginia turned Blue for the first time since 1964, everyone in the room screamed to the top of their voices with joy.  Minutes later, I joined the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) students that flooded the streets of downtown Richmond… jumping for joy, playing drums, and dancing in the streets.”

Paulette Singleton - saintsinpraise.com

“As an American living overseas I often have people coming up asking me what I think about this or that where America is concerned, as if I am personally responsible.
As for Barack Obama being elected President of the United States, it makes me proud that we, as a Nation, were able to over look the color of a man’s skin to choose the better of the two candidates.

With that being said, I eagerly await the adventure we shall travel together as I watch his presidency unfold.”

Renee Ellison
Barbados

“I felt shocked, overwhelmed and fear all at the same time.  Shocked that he actually won, overwhelmed with emotion from where we’ve come from to where we are now and fear for him and his family’s life.”

Kia Phillips

“I was excited to share in the celebration of what was predestined to happen. 
Change is now and unity is the key to a greater nation. Yes, we can!!!”

Beatrice “Sistah Peaches” Elliott
Charlotte, North Carolina

“When I heard the news about President Elect Barack Obama I was filled with emotion.  I not only felt honored to have a man of his caliber as our next President, but I felt proud to be an African American and American.  The Democratic process is still alive.  I will cherish this moment in history for the rest of my days on this earth.  Now I can tell my daughters there are no limits and have the proof to back up my statement.”

Shaunna Carroll Long
Lanham, MD

“Not withstanding the significance of this historic event, it is the global response that clearly suggested the real need for diplomacy that would lead to ‘positive change’ in their relationship with the United States.” 

Michele A. Wilson
“Your” National Sales Manager

“Thank you, America!  Anything is possible.
The history books have a brand new chapter: ‘From Slaves to the White House’…Yes we can!”

 Micheline Bowman
 Bowie, Maryland

“Wow…what can I say?  With Barack Obama becoming the next President it makes me feel like anyone, black, white or otherwise, can do anything!  It’s a beautiful day.”
Andrea R. Williams, President of Tehillah Enterprises, LLC & DCGospelNewsUpdate.com – Fort Washington, Maryland
“Hey girlie, I am still in awe at what the Hand of the Lord has done, because only God could bring about a change in such a time as this.  Imagine…his man of all cultures had people all over the world praying for him.  It just goes to show that when we put our hand in the Hand of God, yes, anything is possible.  Barack is our new president, but never forget, it was God’s plan that made it possible!”

Valencia Reid
North Carolina

“The first thing I thought was “God is in complete control!”    As I took pictures at the Democratic Electoral appreciation dinner of guests at the LaFontaine Blu, I was in awe… As I wiped away the tears and snapped photos of those crying, hugging, jumping, high fiving each other, shaking their heads, calling their family, praying and shouting, ‘Yes we can and we did!!!’

As he gave his first speech as the ‘Presidential elect’ I was so proud as we (Dena and I) stood beside…Donna Edwards, Anthony C. Muse, First Lady Leslie Johnson and Jack Johnson.  I have always been proud to be an African American but at this point I felt… we have only just begun.  I have a peace that I know God has ordained. I hear Dr. Martin Luther King’s mountain top speech when I was young and I am seeing it now…”
 
Linda A. Shaw
togodio@verizon.net
www.lashawsphotography.com
This is the beginning of a new era in history. Finally!  Finally! Is it real justice, real equality, real freedom? If not, it’s victory and “change” and it’s bitter sweet and we’re not turning back.  For the first time, I participated in the election from start to finish and I believe and understand the election process.  Yes, we can and yes, we did! Dr. King said it best “My eyes have seen the coming of the Lord.” I stood in line this time for my great, great, grandmother who could not vote, for my ancestors who were slaves in this country, for more opportunities for my son, Rashad, for my mom who is an 82 year-old breast cancer survivor and for me, an African American woman who wants change. The world is watching. “Yes, we Can! Yes, We Did!” 

Dena Newman
Camp Springs, MD