As KHOU Channel 11, a local news station here in Houston, Texas, turned to election news at 5 0'clock, I was beginning to think that maybe we would not be on the news after all. Their coverage showed the throng of Hispanic voters in El Paso eager to see the former First Lady and Senator from N.Y., and I just knew our meager rally to garner support for Obama would not be shown. As I waited for our coverage, I was somewhat embarassed about our pitiful attempt at a rally for Obama. However, to my surprise, here comes the footage of my brother, my 2 yr.old son, and me, all passing out flyers to announce the Houston Students for Barack Obama Kickoff on Feb. 19th.
The newscaster said, "UHD student is trying to do his part to gather support for Barack Obama", as the three of us distributed the flyers. I thought to myself I wish there were more people standing with us. I thought maybe I had failed, here was our chance to show Houston that the Obama movement was real, and we only had 2 and one-half men for the job.
Then I began to think back a few months ago when the Illinois Senator was not given much of a chance to gain the nomination. I remembered how the media pundits were to eager to annoint HRC as the nominee before any caucuses or primaries. All national polls had him far back. I remembered thinking it was going to be an uphill battle all the way, and I was not sure if he could do it. Campaigning is hard and the days are long. Could he pull this thing off, I was a bit cynical, but hopeful.
I also remembered what Obama has recited in so many of his heroic and inspirational stump speeches, "what started as a whisper is now being heard across the entire nation" he exclaimed.
That's what has happened with this campaign. One person has joined the call for hope. Then another, and another. "Yes we can" is being resounded across this great nation, as more people join and stand together to be counted as one, as one voice.
Upon reflection, this day was in all honesty a great success. My brother, my son, and me are that whisper at the University of Houston Downtown campus. Will you join us Houston?
Updated: According to the UH Chapter Coordinator, their membership on Facebook grew from 109 to over 300 students in one day after distributing their flyers for the Obama Kickoff!
Update II: Here is how the news coverage turned out. KHOU 11 News
