Clark Diaries

10th Nov, 2008

Elections!!!

Hey everyoneSo it has finally happened! History was made around 11pm U.S.A Eastern Time on the 4^th of November 2008, Barack Obama became the 44^th president of the United States of America and the 1^st ever African-American president this country has had in its 200 years of existence. America has come a full circle now, from the times of slavery and oppression of African Americans, to the now President Elect Barack Obama. Obama’s father was born in Kenya, making Barack, in fact, a true African American in every literal sense of the word, and as an African myself I congratulate him for his victory. Since I can’t vote in America, I feel it is not my place to comment on the future of America now with the new Obama presidency, but from an international perspective, It seems people all over the world (sources are mainly from my foreign friends and foreign news networks we all listen to) this new presidency brings a optimistic boost to American foreign relations abroad. Clark University is located in the heart of the state of Massachusetts which is a solid blue state (tends to always vote democratic) so the pandemonium that went on in the Café when Obama won was unbelievable. The Democrats of Clark University put together an Election night Extravaganzas in the Café where they had snacks and games, while we all waited for the election results on the projection screen. They had American Election history quizzes, Raffles and “colour in blue state/ red state” games that all resulted in prizes with a political theme. For example they gave away the candidates favorite CD’s; Obama’s being the Black Album by Jay-Z and McCain is ABBA. They also had t-shirt making booths where people got a chance to make their politically correct and incorrect t-shirts. I played the American Election History game and it is safe to say I know nothing about the first catholic Presidential nominee for the Democratic Party in the early 1900’s or which state has a 97% rate of always voting for the winning candidate.Later that week, on Thursday, after the commotion settled down, I went to the Hillel midnight bagel brunch to get some free bagels and orange juice and listen to Jewish acoustics performed by a very talented Clark student and his guitar. But overall it was a pretty eventful week, can’t believe it is already November? Outside the leaves on the trees have changed into beautiful red and yellow colors, brining the beauty of autumn and the hint of winter to campus. Wonder what this upcoming week has in store……Be back soon