The evening was amazing. A crowd of several thousands scrambled for a front seat view of history. We were a coalition of races, classes, age groups and backgrounds, united under the category of humanity, to one united message - we are greater than what divides us.

We danced to soul music, we sang the national anthem, booed Sarah Palin and cheered what may be John McCain's most important speech. (McCain has once again shown why Americans grew to respect him. His early concession of defeat will hopefully go a far way in helping to heal the scars left by a campaign replete with vitriolic, untrue statements.)

The crowed was filled with leaders from the black community such as Jesse Jackson and Oprah Winfrey. I stood in the crowd with a feeling of pride: I played my part.

The radio interviews, voter turnout and house events were worth it. By 9 p.m. (Central Standard Time), it was clear that we had won the election. The promise of a president for the people, by the people, had been fulfilled.

When our new president graced the stage at 10 p.m., the atmosphere had the feel of a rock concert except, the crowd was a few hundred thousand strong and the headline act was the President-elect of the United States of America.

His speech did not disappoint. We left challenged and motivated that although our movement had just started, impossible is nothing if we act together. Yes we can!

I am, etc.,

OMAR NEWELL

o-newell2011@nlaw.north

western.edu

Chicago, United States