2008.11.06
Election brought out best in many
Dr. Stephanie Nagy-Agren's e-mail popped into my mailbox Tuesday afternoon.
It read almost like a physician's shorthand on a prescription.
"Calling HQ until got thru. did it. got to drive voters early this morning."
At 5:47 p.m., Tina Williams kept one eye on the clock at Dyon's Barbershop on Peters Creek Road in Roanoke and one eye on her client's hair. She had exactly one hour and 13 minutes to drive to her precinct and get in line to vote.
Later, as election results suggested Barack Obama was on his way to a historic presidential victory, Del. Onzlee Ware slid an Obama poster across the conference table in his Gainsboro law office and asked the small group of guests to sign it.
The tentacles of the momentous election touched Roanokers in different ways as they eagerly participated in democracy. Tuesday was no ordinary Election Day because this was no ordinary election.
We know the results.
We're only beginning to discover the longer-term meaning. But you could catch brief glimpses of it in the palpable excitement and touching stories that originated in circuitous lines and polling places across Southwest Virginia.
Nagy-Agren fired off her missive to me shortly before 1 p.m. Monday. She had a van and wanted to volunteer to drive voters to the polls. Did I know where she could volunteer?
I forwarded a number to her and didn't hear anything else until she e-mailed me Tuesday afternoon.
At 6:30 that morning, before Nagy-Agren went to work, she picked up an elderly woman and her 24-year-old grandson at Seventh Street and Dale Avenue Southeast. She shuttled them to Fallon Park Elementary School.
Then Nagy-Agren drove a woman from Gilmer Avenue to Lincoln Terrace Elementary to vote.
The physician downplayed her effort. She deemed it minimal compared to her passengers, who were determined to not let their lack of transportation deter them from voting.
"Driving people to the polls felt more important with regard to their future health and health care than writing prescriptions," Nagy-Agren said.
That kind of commitment was evident elsewhere. In the pre-dawn hours, voters waited in the drizzling rain for precinct doors to open at 6 a.m. It happened in Obama territory, and in McCain territory, too.
As I drove around, I saw people spilling out of doors as they waited patiently to exercise their civic duty. A second trip past a precinct at 24th and Melrose found the line even longer, stretching deep into the parking lot.
The energy was obvious to voters at Ruffner Middle School at midday Tuesday. Two clean-cut teens assigned to hand out sample ballots nearly raced to approaching voters to see which one of them could get there first.
One woman I know told me she and her husband arrived at Ruffner at 5:20 a.m. By the time they left two hours later, they waved goodbye to another couple as if they'd known them for years. They had met in line.
The energy and the buzz about the history-making election made Tuesday different. Voters jumped out of bed in the dark to line up in long queues. Strangers became friendly. The brave broached the subject of politics. Folks burned with motivation to help strangers.
That is community, folks.
The question is, can we sustain that energy and excitement and camaraderie and commitment? And if we're able to, where will it lead us?
I don't know the answers. But they're pretty powerful questions.
Where will it lead us? It will lead us to the right path. And how will we know we are on the right path?
When your life fills with meaning, you are grateful to be alive and you know your life has a purpose and what you are doing serves that purpose, you know you are on the right path. If we can sustain the energy, excitement, camaraderie and commitment inspired by this election in each and every community, it will lead each of us along our own unique path; it will inspire each of us to reach out and help others discover their unique life paths; and collectively we can accomplish anything.
Comment by Ms. Goldenwillow — November 6, 2008 @ 12:43 pm
"The question is, can we sustain that energy and excitement and camaraderie and commitment? And if we're able to, where will it lead us?"
Very good point. It is a bit refreshing and reassuring on election day to see people taking time out of their work/family/personal lives to take personal responsibility for this very important event. Seeing this does subdue the all-too-often feeling that the public at large is just too apathetic on the operation of their nation.
But like you've noted, its like Christmas. Why be jolly just one day out of the year?
I suspect that many of the people working on election day are also the more active ones the rest of the year. Wouldn't hurt if everyone became a least a little more familiar on how the country operates.
Comment by Ed S. — November 6, 2008 @ 1:19 pm
And it brought out the worst, some Memphis residents Just voted for Obama and left the ballot undone how many the number was to high to count, this was reported by people who did it and people in the polling stations.
Philadelphia Black Panthers tried to intimidate voters to vote for Barack Obama or face being beaten up at five different polling station.
This was election were the Black Minority turned on the hoses and relesed the dogs.
Some voted for color, some voted to be with the crowd, I am sorry Shanna I am happy we have a President in my life time.
But some how I feel the deck was stacked, money, greed, power, fear, and
lies.
This was only part of Dr. King dream, the jubilation is not there for me.
Comment by Backlash — November 6, 2008 @ 6:15 pm
Understanding that for many, the vote for Obama was a vote for Peace, and was akin to a love in, prayers are for President Obama to carry this great nation and the world towards a healing and a greater understanding that we are ONE. Sound a little NEW AGE? Well, it is a New Age, and the people that don't get it, who still feel threatened and seperate,angry and fearful, need prayers also. Our desires to change, brought us Obama, and now we all must stick to it.
Comment by Dona Wheeler — November 7, 2008 @ 12:55 am
I hate that some extremists would resort to intimidation to get Obama into office and I'm shocked that I haven't heard more about it. I would love to read more so, Backlash, could you refer me to some of your sources?
I still believe the majority of those who voted for Obama did it because they believe in what he stands for and they believe he is the best man for the job.
Comment by Lo — November 7, 2008 @ 10:57 am
I do remember seeing some video clips of the Philadelphia problems at polling places, but the video also did not seem to convey the image of Black Panthers intimidating people at the polls as the media pestering them by asking persistent questions. Maybe there was more to it that didn't get aired, but something did happen, just can't be sure of what. I'm hopeful that the vitriol and divisiveness that did come out from many voters can be tempered by unity behind out new President, but somehow I doubt everyone will do so. Right-wing radio seems to have renewed energy of anger and hurt feelings after Obama won despite their best efforts, so I'm sure people will stay riled up and angry for some time to come.
Comment by Other John — November 7, 2008 @ 3:16 pm
I didn't realize until I read your article that "race" or "gender" was a factor in the election. I have always assumed that candidate character and his/her platform were the motivating factors. I am confident that you are the "racist" at the Times and I guess your race has to do with your employment there. This is just a considered opinion and nothing personal. As long as there is money to be made by TV/Hollywood and preachers,racism will not died out. By the way, did you know that it is projected that by August 2013 the whites will be a minority? Can you hardly await the day!
Comment by Edward Greer — November 8, 2008 @ 9:25 am
typo
I have no need to lie, yet I've tired of of this little game you choose to engage and play, maybe this don't apply to each, but you get the point.
Yet even this correction will only be a waste of space....
Lo
post as you may, one must venture from the confines of four walls to experience the world that encompasses all...
Making a remark about Superman's Fortress of solitude would be useless since he's....
fictional.
Comment by Backlash — November 8, 2008 @ 3:57 pm
Backlash-
Thanks for your approval. I will continue to post as I may, as I am sure you will. I hope you didn't think I was calling you a liar. I simply wanted to "venture from the confines of [my] four walls" via your sources for your factual data. You really don't take any kind of opposition well, do you??
While I'm here I guess I'll stir up another firestorm. Edward Greer, I am curious as to why you "guess [Shanna's] race has to do with [her] employment" at the Times.
Comment by Lo — November 12, 2008 @ 9:56 am