Voices from the DNC Floor: Day 3

By Trinity Webster-Bass, Howard University New Service

CHICAGO — When former first lady Michelle Obama and former President Barack Obama walked out on the stage at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday. The crowd went wild.

Something wonderfully magical is in the air. Isn’t it?” said the former first lady. “But it’s spreading all across this country. We love a familiar feeling that’s been buried too deep for far too long. You know what I’m talking about? It’s that contagious power of hope.”

The Obamas’ speeches were in direct communication with each other. Former President Barack Obama exhorted the crowd.

“We will elect Kamala Harris as the next president of the United States. And Tim Walz as the next vice president of the United States. We will elect leaders up and down the ballot who will fight for the hopeful, forward looking America. We all believe in.And together we too, will build a country that is more secure and more just, more equal and more free. So let’s get to work. God bless you and God bless the United States of America.”

“I was here for the convention when Barack had his ascendancy,” said Michele Jawando,senior vice president of programs at Omidyar Network.

Oprah Winfrey was also among the star-studded lineup of speakers.

“Soon and very soon, we’re going to be teaching our daughters and sons about how this child of an Indian mother and a Jamaican father, two idealistic, energetic immigrants, how this child grew up to become the 47th president of the United States,” she said.

And Tim Walz explained what the election in November all boils to; the American people having the freedom the right to choose what is right for their lives, families, and loved ones.

“When Republicans use the word freedom, they mean that the government should be free to invade your doctor’s office corporations free to pollute your air and water and banks are free to take advantage of customers. But when we Democrats talk about freedom, we mean the freedom to make a better life for yourself and the people that you love.”

Laura Carter is the chair of the Coconino County Democratic Party, which is one of the 15 county organizations of the Arizona Democratic Party. She shared why she wanted to be here in Chicago for the DNC.
“We can heal this nation. We can grow and we can become the people we’re meant to be, the America we are. Haven’t yet been, as White says. But keep striving to be. That’s why I’m here. I’m not only very excited, but we are ready to get to work,” she said.

On the convention floor, Texas representative and delegate Jolanda Jones explains that the vote of black voters matters now more than ever.

“The world is run by those who show up,” She said. “So if the world got a million people and five people show up, the five people going to run the millions, I need to make sure I show up. All I got to say is they all understand. But in a little minute, they’ve got to find out. President Biden would not have won had he not picked Kamala as his vice president. And we’re going to take this country [back] and Black women are going to do what they’ve been doing forever. We’re going to save this.

Sen. Raphael Warnock was also on the convention floor that night.

“This is a moral moment in America,” he said. “Electing Kamala Harris to serve as president of the United States will certainly make history, but more importantly, it will make a huge difference when compared to what Donald Trump is offering. I’m proud of the fact that we’ve done student debt relief even while the Republicans were trying to block it. Proud of the fact that here’s a woman who believes in a woman’s right to choose and believes in investing in historically black colleges and universities like the great Howard University where she’s a graduate. It’s so important that all of us utilize our voices in moments like this. And critical, critical to that conversation.”