Politics in NYC

Election Night. A night in which part of the US population is thrilled and hopeful, part of the US population is depressed and angry and part of the US population is not even paying attention.

In NYC it looked like only one part of the population is living here.

This was the most energetic election night I remember in a long time. I remember the Bush election when I went to sleep before the results were all back just because I was hoping for a miracle. I remember the last election when I knew beforehand that it was a lost cause and the group of us spent the evening flipping back and forth between channels on the TV and drinking heavily. Both elections were spent either in my own apartment or the apartment of a close friend with a private group of individuals.

This year we went another way. We went out to dinner and then to Times Square.

Times Square was amazing. There were people all over the street and covering the sidewalks. All of the huge screens were broadcasting election coverage and CNN was handing out free coffee and hot chocolate and popcorn. Obama shirts and stickers and banners were everywhere. I heard a ton of different languages, tourists were everywhere. It is impossible to describe.

I know I will get in trouble for the following comment but; I don't believe that Obama is the savior of the USA. I'm actually afraid that because it is unrealistic to believe that he can fix the problems we are currently facing, he will be remembered as a failure instead of the leader I think he could be. I think that there are some big problems. I feel that perhaps the current leader didn't always choose the correct path in his decisions. However, I don't trust that all of the issues can be solved by one administration, or frankly any administration.

However the love and excitement permeating the crowd on Election Night was exciting and refreshing.

Up by our apartment the party went on outside until 3:30am. The kids from the university came down the hill to Harlem and the kids from Harlem came up the street. People were hanging out of cabs screaming, people who have never met before acted like fast friends, posters and buttons and stickers were everywhere. The excitement was palpable.

No matter what the outcome.

Onward and Upward