Where were you?
Last Updated on Monday, 10 November 2008 01:21 Written by Steve Monday, 10 November 2008 01:21
We have all lived through a defining event in American history. This country was founded on language so eloquent it remains an inspiration to the world. Yet even as Thomas Jefferson was setting his thoughts on independence and human rights to paper, our country was stained with the sin of slavery.
On Tuesday we elected a President of African descent and said, collectively, officially and for the first time, that race is not a disqualifier from holding our highest office. We have finally showed we are willing to move on from our 400-year-old conflict, and get to the hard work of living up to those words written over two centuries ago. We have a long way to go, but Tuesday signaled we are ready to go there. Now there is just the work to be done.
Where were you when it happened?
I wanted to be home with my family. I wanted to have my children experience the overwhelming excitement and emotion I felt when the victory became likely, then highly probable, and then official. I wanted to sit on the couch with my wife and take it all in. Just as we watched so many primaries and whether in victory or defeat, we found ourselves surprised at how inspired and touched we were by this amazing person. I wanted to check election results on my home computer where I invariably found myself after every primary, whether in victory or defeat, giving more money to Barack so that he could make it to today.
But I wasn’t at home. I spent the election in San Francisco, at a work convention.
I have to tell you that I am incredibly lucky. When I go to Dreamforce I drop into an amazing community of leaders who are showing the world how we can make the better place. I get to meet so many new folks and hear about the great work they’re doing to address the challenges we all face. I get to connect with good friends I’ve made over the years through this work.
When we all headed over to the breathtaking Starlight Room at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel, the election was already in the bag. The TV was on as the middle of the country rolled in, cementing the win for Obama. And then at 8 PM the west coast came in and the networks called it.
The room erupted in a prolonged cheer, and you could hear the relief, disbelief, and unadulterated happiness all wound up in it. Everyone in the room realized that we were witnessing a moment that would live in American history for a long time. And we got to witness it together.
The Salesforce.com Foundation hosted us at the Drake, and it was a lovely party. The Foundation has been a core driver to the work I do. Without them I would be hacking php at home. But with their support I get to put the world’s best CRM platform in the hands of nonprofits who couldn’t otherwise afford it, and couldn’t otherwise use it. They are making a large impact in the world. Seriously large.
That night, I was honored and humbled to be presented with the Salesforce.com Foundation’s first annual Community Hero award and an incredible gift of $10,000. I was humbled that these amazing folks–Steve Wright, Meghan Nesbitt, Tucker MacLean, Bryan Breckenridge, Chris Atwood, Suzanne DiBianca and so many others–recognized me for work that for me is just plain fun! Thanks so much to you all–we couldn’t do it without you.
After the party was over we headed down to the street and found Powell Street lined with Obama supporters. Everyone was cheering and dancing. Cars were honking their horns, with passengers leaning out windows waving Obama signs. We stopped and watched, joining in the improptu celebration. I didn’t want to go anywhere. I wanted to stay and share the moment with San Franciscans.
Then about 30 men in colorful sweatshirts marched up Powell and formed a semi-circle in the crowd next to us. They began to sing acapella songs about freedom, equality, and Obama. We all listened as they waved their rainbow flag and sang beautifully. These men were celebrating Obama, but they had a lot more on the line in this election than I did. Californians were at that moment voting to strip gays of the right to marry. At the time the result was not known, but everyone was very worried that prop 8 would pass, which it did in the wee hours of the night.
The chorus then broke into our national anthem. We all sang along, and I could tell that many in the crowd were singing our anthem with conviction for the first time in a long time.
I sang, too, and was moved by what my country did that day. I didn’t think we could do it, and we did. I have mouthed the words to the national anthem countless times, but I realized last night that I thought I lived in a different country than I do. None of the vast injustices we’ve perpetrated over the years were made right that night. But we took a step in the right direction. The electon showed me I was wrong about who we are and what we can accomplish. We can move in the direction of love and respect, and we might see that out of this presidency.
So that’s how I spent this historic election night. I was away from my family, but with a community I care deeply about, with many very good friends. I’ll never forget that night. I’ll never forget the hope and joy in our uplifted voices. Thanks to all my friends who were there. Congrats to all who worked for Obama and this hard-fought victory!
Moving description, Steve, of an unbelievable night and how appropriate for you to receive the community hero award at the same time.
I can hardly believe how different the world feels on this side of the election, but it will be each person’s hard and meaningful work that’s going to make this new opportunity a reality.
So, I celebrate what you do that made you worthy of the community hero award as much as I do Obama attaining the White House. In the end, it’s one and the same.
Aw come on! Obama rocks so much more than me!
Thanks Brooks. That’s very kind of you. It is all about everyone and the work we all do. Obama never would have won if it was about him. And he won’t be a great president without our hard work. I can’t wait to see how he engages and challenges us to step up. It should be interesting!
Steve, What excites my about Pres Elect Obama is that we are each more important than he is. Now we have to internalize that and behave in a way that is commensurate with that responsibility.
Peace and Love
Right on brother!