Blog for Oregon

It was well worth being outside on the field for the brief opportunity to hear Sen. Obama’s voice in person.

We walked, we waited, and my 4-year-old never gave up hope she might see Sen. Obama until we discovered we were around 200 people short of making it in. We migrated with the other turn-aways to the soccer field. Of course her little legs and my little-ish legs just couldn’t run fast enough to get a front row view, and we certainly couldn’t see over all the adult heads.

Thank you, thank you THANK YOU to the members of the crowd who, on my spontaneous plea, graciously parted to let two little African-American girls see Sen. Obama for a brief moment before he went into Mac Court.

With their shoulders pressed against the police tape and tears in my eyes, I said to the girls, “Remember what he looks like right now and that this is a special day. Remember this so when you are old ladies you can tell your families about it. We are so lucky to be here.”

The full magnitude of what it means to be “here today” is incomprehensible to them right now at their tender ages, but I know they have a keen sense something big is happening. It is about suffering, struggle, hope, opportunity, healing and a new reality within reach.

I hope Sen. Obama wins. Even if he doesn’t, I hope we continue to recognize and nurture this new reality: That people of color can indeed lead in our country and there are more people committed every day to making liberty and justice a truth for ALL.

Filed under:
Event Reports, Lane County, Oregon by admin