While trying to go back in time to remember my most unforgettable mediated experience, I could not help my self from thinking of ELECTION DAY, NOVEMBER 4TH 2009. More precisely election night that started around 7pm, after polling stations around the country began closing and slowly reporting results of the presidential election.
Since I woke up on that special Tuesday, I had a feeling that it was gonna be a day with a turning point in history which I would remember all my life, and was hoping for it to be the case.
I started work as usual at 6pm and the first thing I did when I got there was to change the TV channel to CNN, which I have been closely following for election coverage throughout the campaign, eagerly waiting for final results and reports that could hopefully make Barack Obama the next president of the United States.
Interestingly, this past election have been a unique experience for the country unlike any other. Especially for the youth who have been very much affected by mass communication and media such as the internet. This time it was the Youtube/Facebook/Myspace/twitter generation that dictated how presidential campaigns ought to be run and managed. Consequently, Barack Obama did a good job in taking advantage of such channels, and was successful in broadening and involving his constituency by reaching out to them through social networking.
Thankfully, unlike some other elections where it took more than one day to find out who is the next president. At 11pm on that Tuesday, as I was watching with disbelief and excitement, CNN reported that Barack Obama has won and will become the 44th president of the United States. It was a very emotional moment for me and my co-workers who were standing next to me, where senses of inspiration, hope and achievement were at their peak level.
Importantly, television has played an significant role in shaping our lives. And it is amazing how much historical events we become part of thanks to its existence.
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I think for everyone this election has changed all minds. I agree this was was indeed a very special and moving day. I went spur of the moment down to time square and stood side by side with everyone. We all looked at each screen watching as the counts in favor of Obama began to get bigger and bigger, and then finally his number began blinking, Obama President of the United States. It was insane and everyone different, gender, color, race, religion background all in tears of what has just happened.
ReplyDeleteI think this election was huge for many people for various reasons. It certainly was extremely emotional for me - it was almost unbearable how hard my heart was pounding in my chest. I had watched the debates, I had argued all the positions with my friends (Rep and Dem), I had even changed my mind from Hilary to Obama POST primary, so it had been an even longer road for me from mild supporter to true believer.
ReplyDeleteBut once I saw the first debate I was positive I wanted him to be our president. I wanted to be proud to show my blue passport no matter where in the world I was traveling and having him as our president gave me that pride. From the election night, watching the states being colored in blue, til the first utterance of "we have a new president elect" I don't think I took one full breath. And once his name was pronounced, I don't think I stopped crying and communicating with my friends in a state of euphoria for hours after that. Days even...
True -- Mehdi, you point out also how TV allows us to experience historical events in real time. Indeed, most of us only ever experience politicians through television.
ReplyDeleteThis was a very important historical moment for myselef as well. I was amazed and excited to see how long the poll lines were the morning of the election. I was happy to be a part of history. The media played a major role in this event and helped shaped our lives.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you and I picked this event up too. Obama was the first person who brought a presidential election by a social networking like Facebook, MaySpace and YouTube. Then we can analyze where obama was distinctively different from any other past presidents and how much he could have a strength to have more possible votes. He did a good job about attracting his/her mind through the easy tool of internet for everyone now. What people really had a passion to watch this historical moment was not only in United states but also all over the world.
ReplyDeleteThe past presedential election was one of the most electrifying elections in history. I have voted twice prior to this one, but never really took part in finding out what the candidates' views were. I believe it was through social networking that really exposed this to me and it was a genius idea. This definitely gave hope to all the people of America that we can dare to hope and dream.
ReplyDeleteThis day was a huge day in my life as well. The weeks coming up to the election,i was at school here at hunter and it was great to see how many people were involved and how important it was to them as well.I agree with you on how the voices of the youth of the country used media to express there opinions and stay involved.
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