Election Day

At 5:55 am on Election Day, this “Morning Monster” woke up five minutes before the alarm, threw on comfy clothes and rushed down to Precinct No. 107.1. Much to my surprise, there was already a line and the poll did not open until 6:30. Waiting in line was an uplifting experience. Complete strangers were chatting about the election and current events and drinking in their right to vote, much like Corporate America drinks Starbucks. Oh, and did you know that Starbucks is offering free coffee today to anyone who votes?

The Grandfather in front of me was proud that his Granddaughter was going to be able to participate in the Kids Voting. The couple behind me had me take a picture of them in line together, as they usually go to the poll separately, but not on this Election Day. The wife, a beautiful African American woman probably in her mid-30s, shared with me that her 90-year old grandmother, who had grown up picking cotton in South Carolina, was thrilled by the possibility of Barack Obama being the first African American to win the presidential election. In the “New South” which as much as we would like to deny that race is an issue, it is still very much on the radar.

However, on this Election Day, I greatest hope is that this very phenomenal person named Barack Obama will transcend race, political attack ads, personal tragedy and will become our 44th President.