By Alexzenia Davis
November 2008
It is one for the books! The history books! Students in JCSU’s Union erupted in celebration as the 44th and FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT was announced: Barack Obama!
The slogan of choice, “My president is black!” was intertwined with screams and tears as CNN called the election just after 11 PM.
It had been a long road for many Smithites, most of whom were first time voters. With the weight of possibility riding on their shoulders, this election called for a massive level of participation. The voter registration drives, phone banks, canvases, and workshops were an active part of both campus and community life for just over a year. The results were exactly what the Democratic Party and most Smithites were hoping for.
November 4th at JCSU did not fall short of political excitement. Just around 3 PM, the JCSU Drumline marched to the block to deliver a powerhouse performance; a pre-celebratory boost if you will. As students, faculty, staff, and guests gathered around to observe, an odd emotion could be sensed. There was a special vibe on campus—one that was light-hearted, positive, nervous, and proud.
The 2008 Watch the Vote Party kicked off the day. The event, set up by Rushmore Drive and NS News TV in conjunction with the Communication Arts Department, featured a live DJ, food, giveaways, and up-to-the-minute election coverage. Students took part in dance battles, election panels, and surveyed the various booths that were set up around the room. Smithites were everywhere: filming, being recruited as impromptu hosts, and discussing the most pertinent issues of the times. Later on, the jazz band performed in Biddle as event organizers were treated to an intimate reception.
But it was the evening that everyone was waiting for. It was the race to 270. It was the moment when we would all find out whether our votes, time, effort, and prayers were enough.
Herbert “Mr. G” Gidney and alumni Struthers Johnson sat side by side in the rotunda as approximately 30 students stared anxiously at the big screen. I asked Gidney if he was excited as the Electoral College marked Obama at 207 and McCain at 138.
“I won’t be excited until that number reaches 270,” he said honestly, “I’ve been voting since before you guys were born… I’ve been watching elections like this before you guys were even born. When I was in college I never thought I would see this moment. I’m not even talking about him winning. I mean all of this.”
He was talking about the fact that he never thought he would see the day when a black person would even have a chance to win office. I asked if I he would allow me to take a picture of his reaction when the results were finalized.
“I will be outside taking a moment to myself,” Gidney said.
“[This is] very real. I saw [John F.] Kennedy get shot. I saw Bobby get shot. This feels very real to me. I’ve seen a lot of Charlotte. I’ve gotten slapped for drinking out of the white folk’s water fountain when I was three years old,” said Johnson, a 1972 graduate.
“This is just the start of a change in this country. Never before have [we had] a diverse [group] of people come together for a common goal—to get rid of the republicans,” Johnson said. “Black, white, Hispanic, and Chinese... Everyone’s been saying what the republicans have been doing to us. There needs to be change. It’s like diving-- either you’re going to drown or get up and keep swimming.”
McCain’s rankings shot up to 141 and students anxiously awaited the results from California. As CNN’s poll tracker counted down, students chimed in—New Years in November.
3, 2, 1… “Obama elected president”.
There was a slight hesitation as we all realized what had just happened. A few moments prior we were waiting for California’s votes to be accounted for. We were now hit with the realization that we had actually witnessed what will probably be the most historic moment in our lifetime.
Everyone ran to the television screen, ecstatic and emotional. I looked at Johnson he gave me two thumbs up, smiling from ear to ear. It had been a collective effort and it was an inherent victory. For those who really understood the significance, it was a deeply rooted reward for African Americans in this country. It was the moment of truth and it was the beginning of a new day of work, labor, and progress.
It was the coming of a black president as witnessed on an HBCU campus… and it was amazing!
The slogan of choice, “My president is black!” was intertwined with screams and tears as CNN called the election just after 11 PM.
It had been a long road for many Smithites, most of whom were first time voters. With the weight of possibility riding on their shoulders, this election called for a massive level of participation. The voter registration drives, phone banks, canvases, and workshops were an active part of both campus and community life for just over a year. The results were exactly what the Democratic Party and most Smithites were hoping for.
November 4th at JCSU did not fall short of political excitement. Just around 3 PM, the JCSU Drumline marched to the block to deliver a powerhouse performance; a pre-celebratory boost if you will. As students, faculty, staff, and guests gathered around to observe, an odd emotion could be sensed. There was a special vibe on campus—one that was light-hearted, positive, nervous, and proud.
The 2008 Watch the Vote Party kicked off the day. The event, set up by Rushmore Drive and NS News TV in conjunction with the Communication Arts Department, featured a live DJ, food, giveaways, and up-to-the-minute election coverage. Students took part in dance battles, election panels, and surveyed the various booths that were set up around the room. Smithites were everywhere: filming, being recruited as impromptu hosts, and discussing the most pertinent issues of the times. Later on, the jazz band performed in Biddle as event organizers were treated to an intimate reception.
But it was the evening that everyone was waiting for. It was the race to 270. It was the moment when we would all find out whether our votes, time, effort, and prayers were enough.
Herbert “Mr. G” Gidney and alumni Struthers Johnson sat side by side in the rotunda as approximately 30 students stared anxiously at the big screen. I asked Gidney if he was excited as the Electoral College marked Obama at 207 and McCain at 138.
“I won’t be excited until that number reaches 270,” he said honestly, “I’ve been voting since before you guys were born… I’ve been watching elections like this before you guys were even born. When I was in college I never thought I would see this moment. I’m not even talking about him winning. I mean all of this.”
He was talking about the fact that he never thought he would see the day when a black person would even have a chance to win office. I asked if I he would allow me to take a picture of his reaction when the results were finalized.
“I will be outside taking a moment to myself,” Gidney said.
“[This is] very real. I saw [John F.] Kennedy get shot. I saw Bobby get shot. This feels very real to me. I’ve seen a lot of Charlotte. I’ve gotten slapped for drinking out of the white folk’s water fountain when I was three years old,” said Johnson, a 1972 graduate.
“This is just the start of a change in this country. Never before have [we had] a diverse [group] of people come together for a common goal—to get rid of the republicans,” Johnson said. “Black, white, Hispanic, and Chinese... Everyone’s been saying what the republicans have been doing to us. There needs to be change. It’s like diving-- either you’re going to drown or get up and keep swimming.”
McCain’s rankings shot up to 141 and students anxiously awaited the results from California. As CNN’s poll tracker counted down, students chimed in—New Years in November.
3, 2, 1… “Obama elected president”.
There was a slight hesitation as we all realized what had just happened. A few moments prior we were waiting for California’s votes to be accounted for. We were now hit with the realization that we had actually witnessed what will probably be the most historic moment in our lifetime.
Everyone ran to the television screen, ecstatic and emotional. I looked at Johnson he gave me two thumbs up, smiling from ear to ear. It had been a collective effort and it was an inherent victory. For those who really understood the significance, it was a deeply rooted reward for African Americans in this country. It was the moment of truth and it was the beginning of a new day of work, labor, and progress.
It was the coming of a black president as witnessed on an HBCU campus… and it was amazing!
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