My DNC Experience in Denver, CO

I was only downtown once during the Democratic National Convention on Monday. I was giving out coupons for $1 off at my dad's restaurant on 16^th Street Mall. There were crowds, but not none for our restaurant, and only 12 coupons came back to us. While downtown I was struck by how slow it was...not that there weren't big crowds in a few places, but I was expecting much more. I believe the lack of business was most likely due to Denver natives staying home afraid of the traffic and crowds, and unfortunately did not take part in the historical event.

I wish I had gone downtown all four days of the DNC, even though I didn't know exactly what to do downtown. On Monday, I did see a short parade of people promoting different issues on 16^th Street Mall. I also saw two young men holding a giant sign with the image of an aborted baby on it...I didn't see any animal rights protestors at the DNC, but at least they only hold the horrific images toward the fur shops instead of at passerby's.

My school took the week off; in fact, the whole Auraria campus and Auraria Parkway were closed. Everyday at school I have a great view of the Pepsi Center and I sincerely wish I had tickets to see Michelle and the Clintons give their speeches. Invesco Field at Mile High held about 80,000 people. Jennifer Hudson sang the National Anthem and Shawn Johnson lead in the Pledge of Allegiance. There were even average Americans there to give speeches about why they support Barack Obama even though some were lifelong Republicans. One line that stands out from the last of these was by Barney Smith who said, "We need a president who puts Barney Smith before Smith Barney." That line got a big roar from the audience. Sadly, however, I only heard it on the TV.

Despite the fact that I wish I had paid attention to the DNC before it happened and somehow got tickets to see the speeches, especially Barack Obama's speech, I am honored that the DNC took place in Denver, Colorado. No matter who Coloradans support, we should be grateful that this historic even took place near the "snow-capped Rockies of Colorado." And an even more amazingly, Barack Obama came to the Rockies on the 45^th anniversary of famous speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

This is an America I'm proud of where anyone can achieve and where an African-American man can become president. For the first time in my voting life, I will love my Commander in Chief...not dislike, not merely accept, but have pride in him. If Barack Obama is elected President of the United States, I will finally feel the government working for me, particularly with his $4000 College Plan. He still needs to get elected, but I'm already starting to feel more at ease.