For the first time since 1996, Chicago hosted the Democratic National Convention (DNC). I was lucky enough to secure tickets from my uncle to attend the convention’s second night on Aug. 20, 2024. The opportunity to be part of the event was unparalleled; here’s what stood out the most to me.
As soon as I turned onto Madison Street, I saw just how packed the area outside of the United Center was. I had heard reports of the previous night’s protests led by groups that were advocating for the Biden/Harris administration to stop shipping arms to Israel. Initially, I was expecting to see a continuation of those protests. And while I did see a few individuals decked out in Code Pink attire, the majority of the demonstrators were white supremacists and Christian nationalists. They mocked the crowd, repeatedly asserting that all the attendants would “go to hell” because they had different political agendas. The group held signs with racist, misogynistic and homophobic messages. Ironically, the protesters relentlessly bullied without discrimination. I sifted through the line with hundreds of others, trying to tune out the bigots screaming the entire time for hours.
After I bid farewell to the protesters and passed through the security checkpoint, I made it inside of the United Center. I met my uncle and we took our seats next to my two cousins. I had arrived near the end of the Delegates’ roll-call. I saw such speakers as governor Gavin Newsom of California and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi announce California’s support for Kamala Harris; I saw the Wisconsinites with their cheeseheads. I did, however, miss Lil Jon’s surprise appearance earlier that night, which was very disappointing.
In contrast to the ravenous protesters just outside, the United Center was filled to the brim with eager supporters. Each of us were handed a light-up bracelet similar to those used at Taylor Swift concerts. Once every state and territory had pledged their support for the Harris ticket, the first speaker came out: Bernie Sanders, Senator of Vermont. His presence was immediately felt in the crowd; the convention center fell silent to listen. For many democrats, Sanders was the ideal choice for president in 2016 and 2020. Speaking with a hoarse New Englander accent, Sanders made his case for Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign. He argued that, with a Republican victory in the election, America’s middle class would shrink substantially due to the many tax laws proposed by Republican administrations. After Sanders, Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker went up to the podium. The two politicians had gotten the audience to pop; each of their speeches had an energy that got crowd members cheering, booing, clapping and standing on their feet. However, this energy wasn’t permanent. The next two speakers were remarkably dull. Former CEO of American Express Kenneth Chenault’s speech was so mind-numbingly boring that many people across the arena, including my uncle, used the time for a bathroom break. We were eventually rescued by Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, husband to Kamala Harris, who mercifully gave the convention its spark back. Recalling his memories with Harris, he made the crowd applaud, say “aw,” and laugh. He expressed his pride for his wife and mentioned his appreciation for her excellent parenting of Emhoff’s children from a previous marriage. Emhoff’s family was in attendance and were shown several times on the big screen along with old photos of them with Harris and Emhoff.
Finally, the headline speakers came out: first, former First Lady Michelle Obama. Obama walked out to a raucous crowd expecting a brilliant speech, and the former First Lady delivered. She focused her speech on the idea of hope: a central theme of her husband’s campaign in 2008. In one of her most memorable lines, Michelle Obama announced that, “Hope is making a comeback,” earning her deafening applause. Her speech was also laced with witty one liners directed towards former President Donald Trump. All in all, her message was fantastically put together and it got the crowd on their feet for the night’s finale: 44th President of the USA, Barack Obama. The president, who served as an Illinois Senator from 2005-2008, got the Chicago audience members eager and excited right off the bat. Obama’s oratory ability has been lauded for decades, and I can personally attest; his ability to craft a story with just his cadence was simply incredible. By the time he finished, I was equally star-struck as I was inspired.
My time at the DNC was something that I’m never going to forget. As a hopeful political science major, part of me was nerding out over seeing these politicians in person. For me, it can be hard to remember that the people we see in press conferences are real people with real stories just like everyone else. Seeing all the people in the crowd, from all walks of life, unified was astounding.
My final takeaway: if you or anyone you know will be 18 on/before Election Day on November 5th, 2024, please register to vote! It’s a very quick process that is worth your time. Use this link to register.
