My voting experience in Tennessee - Reflection

[ravencalling]

I voted weeks ago in Memphis Tennessee. I waited for at least an hour before I could vote. The line was very long, it was raining and cold. However, no-one budged which is a good sign. I could afford to take off work early to stand in this line. But I bet that I was one of the few standing there that could have said that. It was around 3pm. I looked around me at the line of people, majority black in this neighborhood. I was probably one of about perhaps two in the entire line that was white.

The church where I voted was surrounded with McCain Palin signs. You don't see many Obama signs in this part of town. There in none in my majority black neighborhood. To date, I have seen only one on my way to work. And to date, I have only seen one Obama sticker on a vehicle again on my way to work. My guess is that people don't want to be threatened because of what they believe in. McCain supporters are verbal, in your face, insulting, caustic, and yes, racist, whereas it seems like, based on my observations where I work, that there is a silent majority of Obama supporters that just smile, don't say a word, don't show anything, quietly do their best to ignore the ugliness around them. And let's face it, they are experts in this red state of Tennessee.

Back at the church were I stood to vote, most comments, "I've waited all my life for this!", beaming smiles as people walked out of the church after voting. They greeted people they knew. There were knowing hugs and hand shakes and pats on the back.

I felt great to be there. It was the most wonderful feeling of camaraderie in this historic time, and I felt privileged to be able to witness the hope that was visibly drawn on the faces around me. My life is way too busy. I rush from work, to school, to daily chores only to repeat the same week in and week out, with hardly a breath allowed for reflection. But the day I voted seemed like a time where everything in the world had stopped. To see that look of hope, that look of pride, the tears in the eyes. You don't see that everyday. And you can feel it. The memory will be with me for a very long time!

[pklaz96]

1. Beautiful description

of both your own feelings and impressions and those who were standing in line with you.
Let's hope that everyone is able to wait in line AND this time have their vote count.
To anyone reading my post, call and/or email everyone on your contact list - tell them to vote and contact everyone on their contact list. etc, etc.
And thanks, ravencalling, for starting my day on such a high note!

[southernleftylady]

2. I voted last week in Memphis too :) nt

[ravencalling]

3. Nice to meet you neighbor! :)

You probably know very well the sentiment that I am speaking of here!

[Warpy]

4. My experience was very similar in NM

except for the part where I was voter caged into "inactive" status, something that was cleared up by a phone call before I got LOUD.

My part of town is a total rainbow. The line ten days ago wasn't very long at mid afternoon, only half an hour.

People were beaming as they got out of the polling place. You could tell they knew they were doing something for the history books.

[Celebration]

5. Hello fellow Memphians!!

Man, my neighborhood is full of McCain Palin signs. HELLO! Where have you all (McCain supporters) been in the last eight years? Clueless in Memphis?? Obama has written off Tennessee. That's probably a smart move. But there were a lot more Kerry signs around in east Memphis than there are Obama signs. We had a lawyer from Connecticut drive through our neighborhood and he was just astounded by all the darn McCain signs. That just doesn't happen in Connecticut neighborhoods.

Anyway, I'm voting on Tuesday. Generally I don't have to wait too long. Right now I am at the Tennessee River, and I haven't seen a single Obama sign here. Aachh. I do have to say that there are plenty of crooked Democrats in Memphis. They do not do the party proud. Oh, the Republicans? Many of them are no better. Politics in Memphis is hugely discouraging.

Go Obama!

[Fly by night]

6. Raven, TN is much bluer than you think. You just have to come east ...

... about two hours, to the hills and hollers south and west (and north and east) of Nashville, which IMHO is one of the bluest state capitals in the old South.

Here's hoping, with an Obama presidency, we can begin to clean out all the corruption, cronyism and incompetence that passes for the current TN DINO party. I think we've got a lot more going for us than our state party at this moment. But hey, we're doing our part, and our time may be about to come again. (I hope, I sincerely hope.)

GOBAMA. From a newly re-enfranchised (and consenting to be governed) Maury county voter. Fly, Tennessee, to be precise.

Bordered by the Natchez Trace, Leiper's Creek and Water Valley.

We're not the end of the world, but you can see it from here.

All y'all come.

[johnaries]

7. Howdy, neighbor! Cheatham County here.

I grew up in Nashville, but I found 20 acres of woods just outside it and made them mine a few years ago.

Yes, Mid-TN is blue, except for Williamson County. Which also happens to be the richest county in TN. Coincidence? :hi:

[reflection]

8. I early voted in Memphis also.

I can attest to both the lines, and the good vibes. Glad to hear so many positive stories out of Memphis. :)

[democratdoug]

9. Early voting in Cordova at the Agi-Center, just outside of Memphis

Cordova is just minutes away from Memphis. It was very nice last saturday. Me and my girlfriend waited about 1.5 hours. The line monitor was very helpful, even taking us inside when we first arrived so we could make sure we were indeed on the registered voters list. Everyone was very polite and waited patiently. It was a pleasant experience.

[ravencalling]

10. This is where my fiance voted two weeks ago!

Great pics! Thank you!

[Celebration]

11. Cordova is part of Memphis, isn't it?

I thought it was annexed a few years ago. I have to say that I am a huge Shelby Farms fan. I love, love, LOVE Shelby Farms. I think I have been on every trail there--as a walker, not a runner. Buy produce at the Farmer's market at the Agricenter! If you ever go, and the people from Mississippi bring their local honey, be SURE to buy it. It's great.

I'll let everyone know what it is like to vote on Tuesday in Memphis.

[ravencalling]

12. Looking forward to your report!

And yes, Cordova is a part of Memphis. My fiance lives in Cordova.

[tnlefty]

13. I drive people to the polls to vote and the smiles are the

biggest difference that I've noticed this year from years past.

Wednesday I had 3 elderly women, all who used canes, in my car to take to vote. After I helped them get into the car and everyone was settled and we were on our way, I mentioned how much better they would feel after voting. I mentioned that I was giddy for about 3 hrs. after I voted during the evening of Oct. 16th. My comment was met with some skepticism, chatter, etc., and after we arrived at the election commission and they were out of the the car and on their way, I mentioned, "you just wait, you'll be smiling and in a much different mood when I see you again."

Sure enough, they exited with broad smiles on their faces. After helping them back into the car and on the way to take them home the oldest spoke up, "Young lady, you're right. If I were younger and didn't have this cane, I'd go out dancing tonight. As it is, I think I'll try to dance at home where someone will find me if I fall." We all laughed and continued chatting.

After I returned them safely and helped them out of the car, I was hugged by one, and thanked repeatedly by all three, and it was a nice moment for me in particular...it makes the volunteering worth it because I get to meet some really nice people, and there are people and times that I won't forget.

Hamilton County, TN, BTW. :hi:

[ravencalling]

16. Thank you for your service

Great story!

[Atania of Sargeras]

14. Hi there! Memphis here too...

I've seen quite a few Obama bumper stickers around, especially in South Memphis, and the other day there was a truck pulling a HUGE Obama/Biden sign attached on the back of a trailer on 240. I guess he was driving around the loop just for show during the afternoon rush. I actually live in Southaven, but work in Memphis. My co-workers are about 90% for Obama and there are several Obama yard signs up in my neighborhood. I am very hopeful this year.

[ravencalling]

15. Very Cool!

Good to know that there are a few Obama stickers. I mostly see the W plus the McCain ones!

I have a lot of McCain supporters where I work, but I also know there are many Obama supporters as well, they just don't talk about it.