 "Photo: Courtesy The Detroit News")
Making history, not only by running to be president but winning, caused a stir throughout the world, even down to Wayne State.
For the past few months, students had been a strong force in getting out the vote. They registered their peers and stressed the importance of taking the next step to go and cast their ballot no matter how long the wait.
“I would’ve waited in line for two days to vote,” said Teresa Sykes, a sophomore and pre-nursing major. “It was either waiting in line or have McPalin in office.”
Wayne State students, no matter their party affiliation, participated in making history. One day after the landmark event, students were still trying to decide what to feel and what was next.
“It’s incredible, I cannot express how happy I am,” Ali Mawri, a junior and accounting major, said. “How he started from zero and took the journey upward.”
Luke Mackewich, however, a senior and environmental engineering major, pinpointed his decision and feeling on Obama’s election.
“It is one of the lowest points in U.S. history. Socialism is going to ruin this country,” Mackewich said.
So many people shared their ideas and views on the significance of Obama winning the election and where the country could and should be headed.
Dixon Kirkland, associate director of housing, believes it is time for people to step up, saying it’s not a black versus white, step up, but “that it’s for everybody.”
Major Smith, a member of WSU’s Gospel Choir agreed.
“I hope black people will choose to act more wisely but more importantly, don’t focus on being black on the move, but making America better.”
Before election results unfolded, many wondered if America was ready for Obama.
Eric Johnson, who is soon applying for medical school, is a libertarian. Although he did not vote for Obama, he is not against his election to the White House.
“I think it’s interesting that we finally have a minority president,” Johnson said. “I didn’t know America was ready for that, but I guess we are.
“It’ll be kind of cool to see what will happen over the next four years.”
“I was just shocked. I thought it was possible to have a black president in my lifetime, I just didn’t know it would be so soon,” said Jennata Crews, a WSU medical student.
Many Wayne State students who supported Obama echoed his slogans when they spoke on the significance of this election.
“We have someone to look up to,” said Sierra Hatley, a junior at WSU and native of Chicago, Obama’s hometown. “We had basketball stars, football players and rappers. Now, we can aspire to something higher.
“It seems like a new day, anything is possible, change is going to come.”
With Obama as the first black president, many students believe that it erases the notion that America is racist.
”Everybody figured we were mostly a semi-racist country, and this election proves that it’s not true,” said sophomore Jody Shields.
Freshman Ryan Hudson concurred.
“Everyone’s willing to accept change and no one cares about race anymore,” Hudson said.
Some students recognize that it is not about black versus white, but being a minority at this time can be very emotional.
Mawri, had a hard time finding words to pinpoint what he felt.
“It opens opportunities for all minorities to participate in politics [on a higher lever],” he said. “When I looked at his name on the ballot, it was something emotional. This guy’s something different.”
