I'll keep this short, and ask a question we'll be asking for generations to come: "Where were you when Barack Obama was elected president of the United States?"
My answer: O'Hagan's Irish Pub, Lusaka, Zambia.
Actually, by 6:00am Zambia time when the official announcement was made, I was slouched half-awake on my living room sofa, weeping hopelessly in my tired state. (No pictures of that, I'm afraid.)
Anyone else? Where were you?
6 comments:
I am getting the ball rolling...
Where was I when Obama won?
I was in London, England. I am studying Comparative Politics at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Weeks before the election, excitement was building on campus amongst the student body (80% of which is from abroad). Obama signs, pictures and t-shirts were everywhere. McCain was nowhere to be seen. The same was true around London - on the tube, in the papers and on the television.
On election night, I was hoping to watch the elections with hundreds of other students in the Student Union Building but it was impossible to get in. I then debated going to bed at 9:00 pm and waking up at 4:00 am to catch the results. But I couldn't stay away from the TV...
So, I went home and watched the election unfolding in the basement of my residence with about 6 Americans and 35 international students.
Unfortunately, the time difference got the best of me and I went to sleep at 2:30 am. I set my alarm for 6:00 am to see the results. At 6:00 am, I woke up, saw that Obama had won on the New York Times website, sighed a huge sigh of relief and went back to sleep only to be woken up two hours later by Louis who was beside himself.
I have to admit that I also cried.
It was amazing to watch history in the making and to witness a change in politics in the US. I was blown away by the mobilization of thousands of people in support of Obama and the commitment of American youth throughout this election. I was astounded by the intense support of international students for Obama, who would not be their leader, but nevertheless moved them.
That is where I was when Obama won.
Jess
I was in Manizales, Colombia. Here there was a mixed reception to the election. In another department of Colombia (Meta, I think), there was a local campaign in support of Obama and the departmental lottery put his picture on their lottery tickets for a few weeks. However, in a discussion with a high school teacher about the election I was asked straight up 'Isn't Obama a communist?' I suspect this is because CNN and Fox news dominate the news coverage of all things American here. Amidst the business class, there was greater support for McCain given his strong support of a rapid and comprehensive free trade deal with Colombia. Amidst many member sof the popular classes, I think that there was an understanding of Obama as a symbol of hope, change, and social solidarity. However, this morning I saw a small part of a breakfast television show that seemed to be mocking Obama, and I'm not sure exactly why (it struck me as pretty racist).
While the feelings about Obama are mixed here, I think that the victory was a bit of a surprise to almost everyone, who assumed it was impossible. I was (needless to say) truly thrilled and inspired. But I think it is vital to keep in mind that this is only a miniscule step in a long process of change, worthy of great celebration, but to be kept within the broader perspective of the many challenges ahead.
Mike Lawrence
I was asleep as I had just finished exams. Was woken up by a classmate who called me to tell me that Thursday was a holiday and we should therefore get an extension for an assignment deadline. He couldn't believe I didn't even know that Obama had won and he wondered how I could sleep through the making of history! Woke up and watched his acceptance speech. Deep.
Joyce
I was in Dakar, Senegal, in the El Toro bar in the Almadies area of the city. Lots of beer, lots of shouting and hugging and weeping. We headed out at 8pm GMT and rolled back up at home at 6am GMT. And then we all went to work... Totally worth it!
Sadly, at my desk in Dhaka, Bangladesh. I followed some of the results on CNN before I left for work (my British partner kept switching it to the BBC - what the hell?! It's the AMERICAN ELECTION!) Then I, along with 100 Bangladeshis, anxiously kept clicking 'refresh' on our computer screens to see the latest updates. Unfortunately, I couldn't quite fully express myself, or at least colleagues couldn't understand and reciprocate, due to language barriers, but oh my was it a good feeling.
Yes Louis, this will be a "where were you when kennedy was shot?" question for decades. Good, good time.
In a hotel in Kolkata, with my girlfriend and the hotel manager. Just as it was announced an American guest walked in and the manager said 'He won!'. The guy just said 'did he?', turned around and left the room.
Maybe he also went to cry?
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