Yes, we did
I bought a copy of The New York Times this morning (a big deal for someone with an aversion to physical newspapers) because I want to be able to share this piece of history with my future children. It’s all still feeling slightly surreal to me, like a dream.
I spent most of yesterday feeling frustrated and helpless. After a year of being so emotionally invested in this campaign, using my platform the best way I knew how to make a case for why Obama is the best choice for those of us who are dedicated to fighting racism, blogging and speaking and doing media commentary… After all that, when it came down to the final hours, I couldn’t even vote because I’m not a U.S. citizen.
At the risk of completely screwing up a sports metaphor, it felt as if I’d been training hardcore for a solid year, and then had to sit on the bench for the entirety of the big game.
Andrea and I went to an election night party at Public House and rubbed elbows with a weird mix of nobodies (us), media bigwigs (Jim Nelson from GQ, Harvey Weinstein from Miramax), artsy/literary types (Salman Rushdie, James Lipton), and actors (Josh Lucas, Michael Imperioli, and um… Little J from Gossip Girl?).
I still felt kind of detached from the whole thing. When we left at 10:30, it was pretty clear that it was gonna be a wrap. Obama had won most of the battleground states — even Florida! — but I still couldn’t really wrap my head around it.
As our cab pulled up to Andrea’s place (we live just a few blocks from each other), Serge called me and told me Obama had won, and that people in our largely Caribbean/West Indian neighborhood were going nuts. At first I didn’t understand what he was saying — I didn’t realize he meant that it had been officially called. But then we heard it on the cabbie’s radio, and Andrea and I just sat there in disbelief and amazement.
The minute Andrea left the cab, tears started streaming down my face. As I walked to my building from the cab, I heard loud whoops and hollers all around. One guy in my building leaned out the window and shouted to me, “Obama won!” I looked up, smiled, and shouted back, “I know!” I opened my apartment door and fell into Serge’s arms, sobbing.
We spent the rest of the night watching McCain’s concession speech, and then Obama’s acceptance speech. Just when I composed myself, I lost it again when I saw Jesse Jackson crying. And again when the Obamas were introduced as our new First Family. Michelle’s red and black ombre dress? Gorgeous.
I was struck by how somber Obama was. I guess he knows that he can’t afford to celebrate, and he knows the enormous burden that is now on his shoulders.
I’m glad that he reminded us these problems won’t be quick or easy to solve:
“The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.”
Change really does happen. Amazing.
Carmen Van Kerckhove is co-founder and president of 
Phyllis Said,
November 5, 2008 @ 8:46 am
It was pretty emotional and I am sad to hear that you didn’t get to vote…but what you did got so many who probably wouldn’t have voted to get out there and vote – so kudos to you! You were certainly a part of the reason why we got to see such history in the making!
I appreciated the somber mood of Obama because it means that he’s going to take this seriously and it wasn’t just about winning this election – he has really planned ahead for what’s to come and the long road to change. Hooray!
Erica Said,
November 5, 2008 @ 9:09 am
See, now, reading this just made me tear up again.
Thank you, Carmen, for all the work you’ve done to make this happen.
Dumi Said,
November 5, 2008 @ 9:41 am
Carmen- I’m glad that you got to feel some relief in this election season. You definitely carried the banner and fought hard. I was also saddened when I saw your status about not voting, but remember via your work you likely turned on and out hundreds of folks to vote, even in those battleground states. You rock like sedimentary!
tony herrera Said,
November 5, 2008 @ 9:41 am
Not only did Obama capture Florida, but Ohio which knocked McCain out of the race. This morning it looks like Obama may have also captured Indiana, so a campaign full of pleasant surprises continues to deliver.
Most Republicans blame an unpopular President, the War in Iraq and a failing economy, as the reason why they lost. Although these issues contributed to McCain’s loss what they fail to recognize is how much the Republicans politics of division and embrace of anti-immigrant rehtoric, that platform ultimately led to Latinos voting for Obama by a margin of 66%.
How Obama governs going forward is something we all wonder about, but in a two party system the real question is how will the Republican party react to this loss and how will they regroup?
The question to that answer will require lots of soul searching by various factions within the party and only one side will win. Will the party continue with an anti-immigrant platform or will it decide to re-invent itself and set about to court those immigrants and bring them into their ranks?
I’m guessing that after reviewing all the demographics and how the population voted, it will be the latter, so in the end it’s good news for America and even better news for those of us within the immigrant communities.
Yesterday, with the election of Obama a New America was born.
Kandi Henry Said,
November 5, 2008 @ 9:57 am
Obama was more than qualified for this position and he showed that last night. He was like an executive about to take his team through a financial crisis, but knew that with their support, everyone would make it through. He was wonderful. Congratulations to the US and to the world. We will all benefit from a responsible leader in the US.
Thanks, Carmen! It’s too bad that you couldn’t vote but your work made the world of difference.
And that dress, YES! Loved it.
Maha Said,
November 5, 2008 @ 10:34 am
Carmen- even though I did vote I too felt oddly detached- and have through much of this long process. Somehow only last night did I finally get the gravity of what it means to have Obama in the white house. I had the same tearing points as you!
And today in my inbox, a dispatch from Goma that read:
The Congolese prime minister has gone back to Kinshasa. “We hope that the African Union will help mediate talks and arrive at a peaceful solution for all the people, a longterm durable peace” he said, “We hope the Obama spirit will help. We need to remove the spirit of punishment”, referring to some of the rhetoric being bandied about. Referring to the election results in the US, he said, “Now America becomes more interesting. A superpower can bring equal rights to those who can “digest” it. America becomes a superpower because it respects the rights of someone like Obama.”
Philip Arthur Moore Said,
November 5, 2008 @ 8:42 pm
Carmen, you have worked your tail off during the last year to dispel false rumors about Obama, inject positivity into the election process, and show us all that this election is about much more than one single, electronic vote.
Obama’s win was about true change – the belief that Americans and non-Americans alike are ready to work on making our nation great again. You’ve shown that your position in the greater social puzzle is worth just as much, if not more, than your ability to submit a vote.
It is for that reason that I ask you not to feel sad about your inability to cast a vote this week. You did more than your fair share of shifting views and bringing intelligence into the discussion about race and politics in America, and you will continue to do so. We’re all so very proud of you.
Minotaar Said,
November 6, 2008 @ 4:46 pm
Hey Carmen, if its not a big hassle, do you think could you possibly scan the front page of the NYT for us? I looked for it everywhere but couldnt find one. I actually have front page scans of a large number of other news papers, but I’m really wanting to see the Times.
Congrats on everyone’s hard work!
Carmen Van Kerckhove Said,
November 7, 2008 @ 5:49 am
Hey Minotaar, actually you can see it here:
http://tinyurl.com/5jd8f7
Carmen Van Kerckhove Said,
November 7, 2008 @ 8:32 am
Actually try this link intead: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3203/3010713088_3ebeb3f82f_o.jpg
Minotaar Said,
November 8, 2008 @ 7:26 pm
Yay! Thanks Carmen!
Rose Chin-Wolner Said,
November 11, 2008 @ 12:53 pm
I spent the evening glued to the TV stations which were broadcasting the results. The most emotional part of the evening was when my daughter came home excited knowing that her favorite candidate was winning. This was her first election and she exuded a enormous sense of pride in knowing that she participated in an historic moment in America. Her exuberance spread over to me and I felt so happy for her and America. She too, purchased copies of the Times the following day – “something to show my children and grandchildren”.
Millie Said,
November 11, 2008 @ 8:17 pm
It was a most interesting walk home after a very long day. As I passed some apartment houses I heard people inside screaming “Obama, Obama!” and a few buildings later I heard a man shout “Obama is my president!” When I got home I was glued to the television until 3 or so in the morning. I thought about ancestors and history and the future that we now may have because people had the courage to stand for what they believed. Yes, Mr. Obama knows how he has to carry himself, and he will do that and lead this nation incredibly well. He will change the world. We might not see the change immediately but rest assured that the change has already begun.
Harmendra Said,
November 12, 2008 @ 8:50 am
yes a well said Carmen American has created history its dream come true for, not only millions of Americans but for all deprived and minor groups. though India, which is world largest democracy has already a Prime Minister from minority group (Dr. Manmohan Singh is sikh by religion which constitute 2% of Indian Population) he was appointed by the a political party on the basis of his qualification and some other reasons not as direct voted as Obama by the people of USA. this election has given a hope in the time when entire world fighting on religion and race.
Good luck
Keith Said,
November 12, 2008 @ 1:06 pm
I think that election night, was a night to remember,It made me feel proud to be a minority. I’m not suprised Obama won the election, If you look at what Mcain was saying about the economic problems we have, He made himself look dumb.
I think Obama means some progress, but I also think in some areas we have regressed when it comes to racism.
There’s a whole list of things I see that are racist.
I think the work you’re doing is very inportant, because I don’t think running from racism will ever solve the problem, dealing with it will..I LOVE what you’re doing and I LOVE you’re spirit…keep up the good work.