By Mark Ziemer
November 4, 2008 will go down in the history books. It was on this night that a 47-year old product of Kenya and Kansas triumphed after a 21-month battle to become the 44th person, and the first African-American, to become the President of the United States. The loser, Senator John McCain, conceded gracefully, and Barack Obama will move on to start transitioning from a 50-state campaign to a 50-state governance.
It was an election with many firsts. Fittingly, one of the most critical voting blocks that carried Barack Obama to victory Tuesday night was first-time voters and the youth vote, those aged 18-29. Since the vast majority of SCAD students fall within this important category, I thought it fitting to ask some of them what they thought of this groundbreaking election result.
As soon as the major news networks called the election for Obama, jubilation exploded in the streets. Grant Park, in Obama’s home city of Chicago, filled with hundreds of thousands of cheering supporters. Here in Atlanta, the streets were slowly filled with celebration. At Spring House, many students came running out of their dorm rooms cheering and dancing. A few fireworks were even set off nearby. Overall, the scene across America was one of general excitement and happiness at the historic occasion.
The optimism and, yes, hope was quite recognizable in talking to a selection of students who, it should be noted, voted either way. Rachel Ochoa, a third-year animation student, said she was excited about the results, and relieved of the outcome. Second-year animation student Miranda Bradley said “it gives me faith that equal opportunity is more than just talk.”
Brett Miotti, a second-year graphic design student, said Obama’s election left him optimistic. “I think that it represents the possibility of improving our image and relations with others. I also found the fact that many were excited and positive quite telling.” He did note, however, that “[Obama’s election] doesn’t mean things are going to get automatically better.” Jessi Esparza, a second-year broadcast design student, echoed that caution, noting that “yes, the racial barrier has been shattered, but policies matter more, and I’m waiting to see what happens.”
Some students, such as third-year animation student Rachel Bonds, also left with hopes of a more harmonious government, thanks to gains in Congress by Democrats. But that same Democratic majority scares students like second-year graphic design student Lauren Baptist and second-year interactive design and game development student Daniel Plemmons, who remain pessimistic about the results, yet hopeful that they will be proven wrong. “I disagree with what Obama plans on doing but will fully support him if it works, I just don’t think it will.”
Nonetheless, the interesting thing to notice about the reaction to the election has been a lot of celebration and satisfaction with the results. There have not been any legal challenges or major vote problems that have plagued the last two elections. Even if people disagree with Obama’s election, they are ready to turn the page and embrace a new president.