Photo by Ozier Muhammad for the New York Times
Editor’s Note: This is not an endorsement of any presidential candidate. I just happened to attend this event.
I was one of the 1,500 who packed into the Apollo last night to hear Senator Barack Obama. The wait in line was no joke. The line wrapped around to 126th Street and it took a little more than an hour to reach the door. I’ve waited in shorter lines to see platinum-selling artists. Seriously, my husband and I went to see Wu-Tang last year on Valentine’s Day at the Hammerstein Ballroom and we had a shorter line there. Elected officials have a little more juice than entertainers (sometimes), so I’m okay with waiting a little longer to see Obama than Method Man.
All the cold and waiting aside, it was definitely a show. The Harlem Gospel Choir performed, a young lady playing the electric violin (I think that’s what that was) did a couple songs and there were some celebrity appearances. My favorite intellectual, Cornel West, was wonderful and fabulous. He’s a great speaker and I love him to pieces. Chris Rock also came out. He was funny in the few minutes he was on the mic and Rock is the one who actually introduced Obama.
Obama was funny and gracious and definitely seemed polished and confident. I had never heard him speak in person before and I suppose now I can see the charisma and energy people always talk about. Obama hit a few major points. The ones that stuck out to me were providing universal healthcare during his first term, raising minimum wage every year to keep up with the cost of living and pulling troops out within 14 months. He had a lot more to say, but that is just what stuck out to me. He also mentioned the Jena 6, which I don’t believe I’ve ever heard him talk about. By the end, he had the crowd on its feet.
As far as Harlem politicians, State Senator Bill Perkins was there to say a few words and he made note of City Councilman Charles Barron and other city council members being in the audience. Perkins and Barron were definitely the most well-known New York politicians in the building. Just about everyone else has already endorsed Clinton.
All in all, it was a good night. Did you go? What were your impressions?
Below are some links to local and national coverage of the event.
Obama Plays the Apollo
New York Post
Obama Takes His Campaign to Harlem
New York Times
Obama turns up heat with Harlem fundraiser
Newsday
Obama Puts On A Show At The Apollo
WCBS TV
Obama Deplores ‘Jena 6′ Nooses
AP
Obama Courts Black Vote on Clinton’s Turf
ABC News
michael
December 1, 2007
In case you missed it the link to the speech is on http://www.harlem4obama.com with candid footage of Dr. Cornel West. It’s great stuff and includes some of the Jazz from the After Party held at Lenox Lounge. What a great night. History is about to be made and Chris Rock said it all – Don’t you want to be on the right side of history on this one- Obama 2008.
roisinmcginn
November 30, 2007
I love my Uptown Flavor RRS feed.. that’s how I find out all the interesting stuff going on up here!
loveisdope
November 30, 2007
Thanks for the link love! ‘Preciate it.
-Demetria
Justin
November 30, 2007
fired up, ready to go!
yeah cornell broke it down fo’ real.