As I tried to go where I would be helping with filming and other things, I became stuck in a pass way around the first level. People drawn into the glitz of it all were taking pictures and shooting video and blocking movement. Those going to their seats stood with overpriced popcorn, burgers, hot dogs, pop, iced tea, etc. waiting.
Unable to go anywhere, people pushed and shoved and seemed to think others should get out of the way for them. There was no regard for logic and reasoning to help fix this situation.
A man bumped into a woman, spilling iced tea all over her and proceeded on. You could also hear people saying things like, “I didn’t push you. She pushed me. So, don’t blame me. She pushed me.”
The situation became so bad that the fire marshals had to shut down the entryway I was trying to get away from. When the marshals began to shut down the area to clear out traffic, I was at first not allowed to go anywhere. I was stuck in limbo between the seating in the stadium and the underbelly where vendors peddle their food, drinks, and merchandise.
Next thing I knew, the fire marshal had his hand on me and was pushing me out of the entryway and into the underbelly of the stadium. All was shut down and people were not allowed to get into the stadium for the time being because fire codes were being violated.
I finally made it to the area we would be stationed in, where we’d be filming from---Section 125, Level 1 at the top. We stood among members of the press.
It didn’t take me long once I was in the stadium to look around at all the people and see that it was filled with sheep. Sheep like the sheep in George Orwell’s Animal Farm. The incessant chanting of “Yes We Can” and the frantic flag-waving was more than I could handle.
With less than an hour to go before Barack Obama’s speech, I stood in line to get some overpriced bottled Dasani.
A brother and sister in front of me were talking. Immediately, I was drawn in because it was the first conversation I heard that was discussing politics with some depth.
The sister was saying she didn’t think real change could happen and that Obama wants to do so much but can he. The brother became calmly confrontational as she continued on saying she just thought nothing could be in done in this two-party system and mentioned how it upset her that Obama would think to end the Iraq War and proceed to expand the war in Afghanistan and possibly start another one in Pakistan. Her brother defended Obama explaining how the Taliban was reorganizing and getting stronger and that we could lose Afghanistan. He also sarcastically shot down her mentioning of the constraints of a two-party system by saying you’re not going to vote Ralph Nader, thumb up his butt Ralph Nader.
And then came the good part. He explained how he would love a revolution and was into that in college but look this is where politics is at---This is where things get done and we have to be here to move things to the left.
The sister unwillingly accepted this. I bought my water and left elated that not everybody here were blank slates ready for Obama to etch in what was possible and worth fighting for. It was only one person, but I was greatly relieved that she said this.
I spent the final moments before Obama’s speech wandering through the stadium shooting B-roll footage for the film and taking in all the elements of his occasion.
Verizon, United Airlines, Coca-Cola, and of course, AT&T had nicely corporatized the event.
The “Oprah Book Club” convention was finally about to come to an end. The convention that I went out in the streets to protest was almost over. Michelle and Barack’s touching story of meeting each other was being told on the giant screens lining the upper edifice of the stadium. I did a double take to make sure I was actually in here. I stood amazement at the energy being shown by all those in the stadium. The focus and determination to get Barack elected could be seen in each person’s face.
And then… Barack Obama emerged.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
