Senator Obama's Visit to Jacksonville, FL September 2008

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Obama Visits Doooooooooooo-vall County (Jacksonville, FL) 9/20/2008!

Greetings Everyone!

I pray you all have had great weeks of late. Mine have been kinda "janky" (i.e. filled with ups and downs, hits and misses, missteps, frustrations and openings filled with grace from our Lord), but i'm still here. Last week, I spent time recovering from a number of things---including the Obama visit to Jacksonville... or as one of my students reminded me "um, Dr. Anderson, we kinda "ghetto" here in Jacksonville so you might here people say i'm from Dooooooooooooo-valllll" (meaning Duval county)---and he was a white student helping me get oriented on the first day of class...God bless him...

Lest I digress...back to the Obama visit.

Now I wasn't exactly familiar with the location, but made my way to Metropolitan Park after a morning SAT/ACT tutoring session at a local church. Traffic was astonishingly crowded near the park so I drove around until I found parking on a side street...and just prayed I would not be towed. Then, I just walked over to the gathering as the exercise would surely do me some good and help me clear my head for the event.

It had rained for a a good portion of the morning so I had no sense of the turnout given the weather. But, after finding my parking space, I was just glad to be in the number and curious about the turnout with so much talk about Duval county being a blood-red Republican county forever and ever historically.

However, as I walked toward the park, I overheard a woman behind me on the phone with her uncle. She and her girlfriend were probably in her early 30s, sassy, full of attitude, with plenty of urban glamour. We greeted one another as I passed them in my very understated orange and blue Illinois t-shirt, jeans and open-toed shoes (an unwise choice that would haunt me later).

As I walked ahead of them, I noted one of the women were talking on the phone to her uncle. She said "Now Uncle, you know I wasn't even gon' come to this thing, but you know I decided to come to this event for grandmama who didn't live to see this day... but would have been so proud". She said "Uncle, you wouldn't believe it, even the thugs IS here." I laughed at the latter remark, but her comment about her grandmother nearly stopped me in my tracks. Her desire to be there for her grandmother hit me in my core as I crossed the street and just humbled me inside. It was then that I knew this might indeed be a special event for Jacksonville.

As I found my way into the park, I met a line that wrapped around the facility with folks of every stripe awaiting entry with vendors selling all matter of shirts, visors, caps, buttons, etc.,. I went alone and at first wished I was there with someone else---but eventually felt quite at ease among the crowd.

A 50ish white couple in front of me shared with me how good it was to be there. "I feel less alone now to see so much support especially in Duval county, a Republican stronghold." It was as if the event itself gave them permission to support Obama publically without fear. Another older 70ish white couple behind me beamed with anticipation cracking jokes while doing magic tricks for little black kids in line. The spry senior then cackled "I wish we could all vote today since we're all here anyway."

A coolly elegant Black man with his family chatted with me marvelling at how amazing it was to see so many folks out, but he observed "Now, the trick is to get all these folks to vote." I added that getting to the polls is indeed an issue, but making sure the votes ACTUALLY COUNT AND ARE ACTUALLY C-O-U-N-T-E-D is my greater concern. He paused and gazed down at me saying "You right about it. But isn't it funny that our system of voting is so antiquated when our technology allows folk to find me whenever they want me" as he waved his cell phone in the air. He continued "statistics show that on any given day, we pass by at least 15 cameras, but there is something WRONG when I can't trust that the same system will do all it can to count my vote". I said "Well, come on church...preach that thing, my brother!" and we all fell out laughin'.

Periodically, as I made small talk and socialized with the crowd, I would hear the high-pitched squeal of "Dr. Anderson, Dr. Anderson" and I laughed inside as I knew that a student of mine must be nearby. Many of my current and former students were attending the rally or working as volunteers and were just brimming with enthusiam about the chance to be there. We hugged and chatted and told them how proud I was to see them there and working in the community on this very special effort.

Once inside the park, I continued to mix and mingle with folks and took pictures. However, there was a downside to the event. There were private planes flying overhead with signs that said "Florida is McCain and Palin country" and "Raising Taxes is Not Patriotic". The crowd would then explode with "boos", but their motors unfortunately drowned out the speakers on the podium. I went cold inside and grew frustrated as the scene was a reminder of how early voter intimidation begins in these parts.

And true to form, this was indeed a diverse crowd of the young, the brown, the white, the old, the Muslim, the Indian, the Asian, babies in strollers, folks in wheelchairs and on canes, adorned with all manner of official, bootleg, and homemade Obama gear. Again, I wore an Illinois t-shirt just to represent Illinois up in there (smile). In an interesting exchange a group of college students came to stand beside myself and two retired educators that I met there. When one of the women commented that she didn't know if she would be able to see past these college students, a biracial Asian/African American young man said "Uh-uh, don't worry mama I got you, I got you. He said "We'll lift you up on our shoulders if we have to." We screamed and he continued "Yes We Can! Yes We Can!" And it was just that kind of good natured foolishness that was apart of so many encounters between folks that day. Folks were chill, friendly, helpful and glad to be in the space together for just a lil' while.

And sure of enough, in my effort to "represent" I got clowned by an "eccentric" (bless her heart) Black woman carrying a fur in upper 80 degree heat whose arms, hair and clothing were covered in grass as she claimed Chicago roots. From about 20 feet she yelled out "Hey, you from Illinois, me too. Guuuu-uuuh (girl), where you from?" Embarrassed, I said "Chicago" smiling weakly cursing this Illinois shirt as the crowd enjoyed the spectacle. She said "Chicago? Me, too. Me, you and Barack." She then said "You my angel. I'm gon' call you "Angel" because you my angel." And she then came over and hugged me and we fellowshipped a bit as the crowd howled with delight.

She then asked a lady standing next to me if she could borrow her binoculars "Cuz, chile, mama can't see to good." Interestingly, she turned around and said "Look at those boys up in the trees". And I turned to see young men who had climbed trees for a better glimpse of the stage. I didn't know at the time, but the city authorities turned away 8000+ people from attending the event because of regulations allowing for only 20,000 people in the space. Papers would later report that between 20,000 -40,000 attended the event.

Soon after, however, we began to note helicopters overhead and a big black tour bus pulled into view and the crowd went wild. Scores of folks poured off the bus as we awaited a glimpse of Barack. "Oh, look, there he...then nope, that wasn't him" said a fellow supporter. "Here he...no, that's somebody else"...again the crowd would get excited and then have hopes dashed just as quickly. As the crowd expanded, the overhead aerial intimidation intensified with two planes flying even lower overhead in their campaign of discouragement.

And then, the crowd on the platform went wild. One plus-size Black woman on the podium jumped and danced in her best Price-As-Right victory dance (yall know that dance!!!). In an instant, Barack jogged up on stage with his typical energetic zeal wearing a white shirt unbuttoned and tie-less, blue slacks, endless grin with generous greetings for the crowd.

He marvelled at the size of the crowd thanking us for attending--- especially considering there was plenty of football on TV that day. He then launched into his talking points concerning the Wall Street Bailout, health care for every American, new education and energy standards, affordable college for all who want it, better pay for teachers, an end to the war, etc.,.. He was really loose and funny and a bit "hood" in that he had a real "street" word and demeanor for the people.

From saying, "listen yall, my opponent has been telling lies on me, so I need to go on and tell the truth about him; to talking about McCain's accusations that it was Barack's fault that the markets are suffering as Barack declared defiantly "There is only one candidate who has argued that the fundamentals of the economy are sound and it ain't me, yall, that candidate ain't me". In another humerous passage, the candidate promised that he was fighting for the dreams of all Americans---your dreams, my dreams, my children's dreams...and even Pooky's dreams. Yeah, yall, i'm fighting for Pooky's. Pooky's got dreams too" and the crowd roared with delight. At various points he reminded us not to be "hoodwinked" or "bamboozled" by his opponent...or let the Republicans pull "the oke-doke" on us.

After his formal remarks, he signed autographs and shook hands with folks. I headed up closer to the podium to take some better photos and just drank in the atmosphere of excitement and positivity in the crowd. The sun was beginning to depart and clouds rolled back in as volunteers gathered empty water bottles, took photos and stragglers just stood around the park smiling and reflecting in silence as the sun disappeared. It was a historic visit in a historic election and I think many were grateful to have attended and been apart of it.

After standing for five hours in less than ideal shoes, I then began the arduous journey of heading to my car praying that I hadn't parked in an illegal zone. As the crowd moved lazily out of the gates, there was a congested area where folks had stopped to get a glimpse of the motorcade as they departed. I, however, could see the clouds gathering and really wanted to get to my car more than see the buses off. So, I kept it moving, though, I do admit: I did stop by a t-shirt table and picked us a couple of great t-shirts for me and mama for posterity...and was then was busted by yet another student squealing "Dr. Anderson, what you gon' buy me?"

Finally, outside of the stadium, I strolled along with a group of four of five Black and Latino youth who had attended the event and were walking in my direction. Suddenly, we heard the blare of sirens and turned to see a fleet of motorcycles speeding past us. We looked at each other--- eyes wide with delight---and knew instantly: the buses were coming our way. Then, we all ran back to the curb as the three buses turned the corner. We spread out along the curb jumping, waving, shouting "Good bye! Bye Barack! Good Luck! God bless you!" I could see Barack inside the bus as we offered up our exuberant send-off. The following two buses were filled with staff and reporters that smiled, honked, waved and grinned wildly at us as the 2nd and 3rd buses pulled past us.

There were just a few of us on that corner that got to see buses depart and I was indeed glad that I had worn my orange and blue Illinois shirt (after all) to let folk know that we Illinoisans are supporting the campaign even in Northeast Florida.

When I finally reached my car, I sat and nibbled on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich that I had left in the car and wiggled my weary toes. While I snacked on my sa'mich, two lil' chocolate Black children shiny and beautiful--- an older sister and littler brother---skipped past the car donning their Barack Obama t-shirts with "Yes We Can" on the backs of their shirts as they disappeared around the corner. And in that moment, I was reminded of just how much this campaign has meant to all of us---the young, the young at heart and everyone in between.

36 Days and Counting...Yes We Can! ...Have a great week!

---Nicole Anderson

The Final Leg of Election 2008: Keeping Our Wits About Us

Evening all! Greetings from Nicole.

I know it's been too long since we've talked and I do hope you are well. And I know I promised to comment on the McCain VP selection several weeks ago and have not yet done so. And there has been a reason for this.


I have been just dumbfounded by the swirl of activity, media, coverage, email traffic, focus on this Republican VP choice...However, to God be the glory, apartment repairs resulting in no cable has spared me much of the spectacle---though dear friends have kept my in-box filled with articles swirling about the nation...sigh...

The interesting thing is that I did here her speech at the Republican convention. And in my own assessment, her remarks reflected an individual that was so partisan and narrow and inaccessible to folks like me. I was willing to hear her out, but clearly she wasn't trying to holler at your girl.

Rather than being compelling, her remarks felt so dated, so old school in all the wrong ways, so isolationist. The remarks felt like a plea to her base--- instead of reaching out to the ENTIRE nation that she would be helping to govern as VP. Her focus on war, fear, insults and foreign threats communicated a desire to keep Americans in conflict with each other and the rest of the world---instead of creating a climate of cooperation between Americans themselves and the global community.

My questions remain: Does patriotism only exist outside of the city limits? Can people of color love this country and live in an urban environment? Where is it written that love of country is only possible for folks in small towns or who are working class? Can't educated middle class, upper middle class city dwellers love this country, too? Or is it mandatory that I shoot something (or someone) in war or sport to be deemed an American patriot? And why is it that the most valued brand patriotism so often defined in terms of shipping our folks off to war to fight, kill, die or be maimed abroad---as opposed to giving them something to live for and work for in this country?

Furthermore, it is more profound to watch the Obama campaign defend itself against these old school Republicans masquerading as "mavericks". There was little "new" about their remarks...it felt (wearily) like the political priorities that have informed the last eight years. But, it has been fascinating to observe people's willingness to believe that something "different" is being presented to them--- when it's just the same old message just delivered in a shiny, more provocative package.

As I have been traveling from Florida to Illinois and find myself in and out of airports, restaurants and other public venues, and I always happen to overhear groups of gentlemen of varying ages (most often white men) discussing the election. And their final assessment are often that Barack Obama was nothing more than "a good speech" as they took comfort in their resistance to Obama. Now, it seems to me that all the candidates are making speeches and promises at this juncture so I haven't understood why they don't describe McCain's offerings in a similar fashion? And then recently, it struck me: The McCain/Palin ticket is a source of comfort for them.

With the emergence of the McCain/Palin ticket, its as if the nation was waiting for SOMETHING, ANYTHING to eclipse the coverage of the Obama campaign. And I understand---with the exception of the Cosby show and subsequent well-to-do Black comedian-centered sitcoms---we are a nation accustomed to African American families "stretchin' and suh-vi-vin" and entertaining the nation while we war against each other on court TV, reality shows, dramadies and Tyler Perry offerings. Thus, many of our fellow Americans are accustomed to African Americans as a source of entertainment, humor, curiosity or disdain. So, they reject outright the idea of accomplished, talented, educated, thoughtful, loving, African American family at the helm of the political, intellectual and economic life of the nation. It's just too much to bear for some. So, instead, they would rather vilify them as aloof, elitist and out of touch while celebrating those who claim to champion working class and small town values.

And yet it is a reminder that the bar for African American acceptability is a narrow tightrope that is ALWAYS shifting despite our best efforts---and even when you thought education, grooming, political savvy, connections, coalition building, innovative campaign strategies that harness the best of human and technological talent might just be enough to finally bridge the racial divide...sigh...

Folks, we have a few more days until election 2008 will end---and God knows I'm ready for it to be over. What will Americans do on election day? It is PROFOUNDLY unclear to me. However, if you can be convinced that the election is a close one, the return of the ghosts of elections 2000 and 2004 are likely.

So, I ask you the following?

---Are YOU registered to vote?

---Do you know where your local polling location is? Has it changed? If so, why exactly?

---Are folks that you encounter---your new neighbors, new church members, new co-workers, new clients and college students away from home---registered locally or voting absentee in the home communities they left?

---What are the voting methods being used at your polling site?

---If you do make an error in voting, receive the wrong ballot, spoil your ballot etc.,. what will YOU do? Who do you talk to at your polling place if such an error occurs?

---Once all the ballots are cast and the polls close, what happens at your polling place? What happens to the ballots and related documentation? Where are the ballots taken? What then happens to them?

---Will your candidate of choice make sure every vote is counted? Will they prolong the proceedings, spend the money, go to court, call for recounts when and where ever necessary to protect the votes they are working so hard to make sure are cast in their favor?

For more information on voter protection, check out The Advancement project at:

http://www.justvote08.org/readytovote.php

Be well, y'all, keep the faith---but get ready!

---Nicole