| At each jamboree Miss Angert attended, she observed people were extremely patient and polite. No one pushed or shoved in a horde of hundreds, or in a throng of near twenty thousand. Conversations were not casual. Nor was interest in the event pedestrian. The people and the discussions were profound. A man in a dark blue suit stood sweltering in the sun. He, just as Betsy, arrived early on Friday. Each hoped to have a close encounter with the candidate, although neither expected to. The two understood that they were in Sunrise to be with others who were as they were, concerned citizens.
John expressed excitement for an endeavor that captured much attention. He, along with others in the area, had advanced an award winning film, Sugar Babies. Human Rights was the issue of import for all those involved in the production, John among them. As he and Betsy stood in line he spoke of how another President, a Democrat, who presided more than decade ago, ignored what occurred in the Caribbean. When the former leader of this country learned of how children were mistreated in the Dominican Republic, he did nothing to help.
The previous Chief Executive acted in accordance with the wishes of sugar company tycoons. Tearfully, the man who now awaited an Obama arrival in Florida choked as he contemplated the plight of the babies who toiled so that Americans might have sweet sustenance on their tables.
John was not the only person in the crowd with purpose. Each individual had a story as Betsy quickly discovered. She chatted with a retired television network executive and his daughter who were nearby. Apparently, Samantha turned eighteen that day. This would be the first time in her life the young adult could legally vote. Sammy was enthusiastic; however, faint. The ninety plus degree heat had taken a toll. John offered his suit jacket as an sunshade. The two were covered in sweat, as were all those who waited patiently.
Perspiration was barely visible on the face of a baby who slept in his mother's arms. A young boy looked cool; however, his expression affirmed the temperature was high. The lad's father covered his son's head with his hands. The heat was oppressive. Still, the sense of hope and purpose freed the crowd.
In front, of Betsy and her newfound friends another group stood in wait. One of the woman in the cluster of three women and a gentleman, had to kneel. She was close to exhaustion. The High School teacher thought she might collapse. The sun scorched her physical spirit; yet, her emotional sensibility remained untouched. Each in this group had skipped school. None were students. This flock of a feather were Educators.
A middle aged Mom would be at the Bank Atlantic Center before Barack Obama took the stage. This frail female had fallen ill with cancer. Her regular treatment occurred at 2:00 on that very Friday afternoon. Certainly, she would be too sick to see or hear Barack Obama. Besides, it would be late by the time she finished with the physician. The cancer victim's daughter drove her to the doctor's as she always has. Mom was never strong enough to manage once she received the "cure." However, this time was different, just as the Obama campaign is for many Americans.
Mother and child exited the medical center and the woman who had just undergone chemotherapy said, "I need to go to the Barack Obama rally." The younger lady thought to object, and did question her unwell parent. Yet, Mom was relentless. She spoke of how important it was for her to support an agenda of hope and change while she still could. Dutifully, the daughter traveled to the arena.
The parking lot was full. The overflow was in a shopping center a decent distance away. Medicated Mom insisted they park, and hastily walk to the Bank Atlantic Center. The two were gratified; they made it! Each insists; this was a sign. The Senator from Illinois is destined to be President of the United States.
Betsy wonders if the many elderly and disabled she saw in wheelchairs feels as this family does.
Might some be longtime supporters as the thirty-two year old wife Betsy met the night before? This graduate of Harvard law School saw Barack Obama on countless occasions. The now accomplished attorney heard the candidate speak often at their shared alma mater. The then Senator often addressed an audience of avid listeners at the University. He discussed the importance of community service, just as he did this Memorial Day weekend at Wesleyan University.
Possibly, people are as an older white woman Miss Angert met at an earlier gathering is. A spry little lady became interested in the Obama campaign, for she saw the candidate had vision. Just as Barack Obama's Mom actively encouraged her son to seek wisdom, perhaps more so than most parents do, Helen did the same with her children, and now her grandchildren. In Barack Obama, this retired Social Worker, who is very interested in community, parental involvement, and education, sees more than a politician. Helen watches Barack the man with his family. She is impressed.
Perchance, there are countless in a crowd of close to twenty thousand who feel as Jayne Chapman does. Jayne expresses, "For me, [the interest in Barack Obama and the inspirational message] takes me back to being 22 in 1968." Ms Chapman recalls "(T)hat June night, when Bobby said it is was on to the rest of the Primaries . . and then it happened." As she relates, Jayne sorrowfully sighs, "I still remember the way he looked that day and the way he pushed the hair out of his face. I didn't vote that year or in the next Presidential contest either. I was disheartened and really was down on my government and felt disconnected."
Ms Chapman, a Boca Raton resident offers, "When I heard Obama give his 2004 convention speech . . . my heart actually jumped. When he said "There are no blue states or red states. There is the United States of America!" I gave a little gasp . . . When he said ""we worship an awesome God in the blue states and yes we have some gay friends in the red states" Jayne Chapman felt an authentic connection. Jayne reflects, "I turned to my husband and said, 'Who is this guy? He's astonishing!' She muses, "I waited to hear anything else from this man."
Years passed before Ms Chapman heard more. The now committed South Florida organizer for the Barack Obama campaign ponders and proclaims, "I saw him on the Oprah show. She [Oprah] was half teasing him and half annoyed that he wouldn't accept her offer to use her private jet but was flying commercial to DC and back. Imagine!" Jayne smiles. She recalls, "He said that if he did that he would lose touch with his constituents. My heart jumped! The day he announced I knew I would do whatever I could to help him. I thought it was probably not going to happen but I was in it 100%," Jayne asserts.
Ms Chapman continues. She speaks of her decision to travel to the campaign through cyberspace. On her home computer, Jayne typed in BarackObama.com. "I put in my zip code [so that I might] join a group. There were none close by." As she recalls a moment of stress Jayne Chapman says, "I knew Nothing about running a group like this, but I decided then and there that I was too impatient to wait for someone to start one . . . [I] started my own group. It has been a roller coaster ride. We've been up and down - discouraged and thrilled."
Yet, for Jayne Chapman, the trek was worth the sweat and tears. This week Jayne had an opportunity to witness the fruits of her labor. "When I watched him enter the Bank Atlantic Center to the screams and shouts from almost 20,000 people the other day it was surreal. The first time I saw him was over a year ago, there were just several hundred of us there. I was amazed then. Now I know it is most likely going to happen that on January 20,2009 Barack Obama will be sworn in to become the next President of the United States." A prideful and appreciative Jayne Chapman sighs as she states, "What a journey."
Indeed it has been, for Jayne, for Barack and for Bob George. He has seen the evolution here in The Everglade State and shares why for him, this election is as no other. Mister George ruminates, "For me this campaign means the opportunity to take back our government for the people." Bob offers his personal travel; "For a long time I felt nobody was listening. Now I realize I was not speaking loud enough, often enough to have my voice heard."
Mister George reveals two and one half years ago, "I became active in a local peace movement and a group that is working actively to impeach George Bush and Dick Cheney. Even though I thought it a long shot, I believed something needed to be done to create a different reality." Bob felt it was vital to speak, to act, to lobby, and to demonstrate for peace, justice, and impeachment.
He supported another Presidential candidate early in the election cycle. "At the same time, I felt a resonance within the Obama movement." Over time, Bob perceived Barack Obama believed "in the power of ordinary citizens." As an advocate for democracy Mister George believes in the refrain Barack offers; "it is our election, our government, our world to guide." This is a message the activist "honors and respects." Bob explains, "For me the words of this election are "If it is to be it is up to me!!!!"
A man permanently employed as an usher at the Bank Atlantic Center, in Sunrise, observed that perhaps that statement defines all Obama supporters. After the rally ended, the attendant told Miss Angert, he never saw such a clean group. The staffer confided; in all his years of employ at the arena, this was the first time he saw people use receptacles for trash. It was obvious to the jobholder; Barack Obama is not as a rock star. Nor were those at the rally fans who lived in a fantasy world. These people obviously cared about the community, the Center, (and cleanliness.)
The older man who worked at the Center for many years, smiled. He observed, principled people remained true to expressed values. The attendees demonstrated a genuine concern for conservation and community.
Another worker mentioned what he thought a wondrous moment. Treacherous thunderstorms rolled in while tens of thousands waited in line. The doors to the amphitheater had just opened moments before the deluge. Few had passed through the metal detectors. Those who were protected by a canopy immediately passed their umbrellas back to the people who were exposed to the elements. People worked as one. No one selfishly clung to property. One individual was not considered more prized than another. Well, that is with the exception of infants and toddlers. Everyone worked to ensure that the little ones stayed warm, dry, and safe from the storm.
Perchance, that is the purpose of this campaign. Barack Obama has helped to build coalitions rather than destroy the fragile bonds that sustain a society.
Betsy, an experienced elector who has participated in many a political campaign since her teens, senses this campaign, this candidate is different. It is not only the more than 3.5 million new voters, who have joined in a movement towards democracy that astounds Miss Angert, it is the bank teller who learned of the rally, and expressed her glee.
The tollbooth worker Betsy met on the way to the Bank Atlantic Center encourages her to believe that this time, change is possible. When Miss Angert shared with the man who collects fees on the highway where she was off to, this average American asked for details. The laborer thought, maybe, he too could be a part of the political process. After all, he was scheduled to leave his post before the event began. The eyes of a "commoner" sparkled with delight at the prospect of what might be.
The nascent reality expressed by the man, who after an elegant Obama affair revealed his newfound truth had a profound effect on Betsy. Miss Angert watched as this well-connected chap waited for the valet to return his vehicle to him. Once the luxurious, late model automobile arrived in front of the hotel where hundreds still patiently lingered, the well-dressed gent pointed to his "Obama '08" bumper sticker and declared, "For the last sixteen years I was unwilling to place a placard on my car. Now . . . look!" The crowd applauded.
In Florida, in May 2008, and perhaps nationally, something is happening. People are changing. Hope is in the air, and a veteran voter wonders; are miracles possible, probable? Can the dream be achieved? Betsy reflects and considers . . .
"The ninety and nine are with dreams, content but the hope of the world made new, is the hundredth man who is grimly bent on making those dreams come true"
~ Edgar Allan Poe
References to Reach for Democracy . . .
- Obama in Florida, By Jeff Zeleny. The New York Times. May 21, 2008
- Obama Asks Jewish Voters to Judge Him on His Policies, By Jeff Zeleny. The New York Times. May 23, 2008
- Obama plans Hollywood fundraiser during S. Florida swing. Sun Sentinel. May 13, 2008
- Sen. Barack Obama caps off South Florida tour with massive rally in Sunrise, By Anthony Man. The Sun Sentinel. May 23, 2008
- AP Impact: More than 3.5 million new voters, AP survey finds. The Associated Press. Las Vegas Sun. Tuesday, May 6, 2008 (12:02 a.m.)
- Standing In for Kennedy, Obama Embraces Legacy, By Katie Zezima. The New York Times. May 26, 2008
- pdf Standing In for Kennedy, Obama Embraces Legacy, By Katie Zezima. The New York Times. May 26, 2008
- The Story of Barack Obama's Mother, By Amanda Ripley. Time Magazine. Wednesday, April 9, 2008
- Obama draws rock-star-size crowd at Sunrise rally, By Michael C. Bender. Palm Beach Post. May 23, 2008
- Barack Obama, 2004 Democratic National Convention Keynote Address. American Rhetoric.
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