Nothing too lofty--Just making history.

All over Asheville and especially on campus, anything voting related is all the rage. Lawns all over town are spotted with political signs. Early voting posters plaster halls and windows all over campus. My facebook inbox seems to receive more political postings and invites than friend requests. NPR, or FM 88.1, (my radio station of choice) serves up continuous reports on the Obama/ McCain race as fast as they can form them, interviewing experts, listening to the opinions of average Western North Carolinians. Music continuously plays from all corners of the downtown area in rallies for Obama, including the rally I attended last week starring the legendary James Taylor.
The concert was held in Martin Luther King Jr. Park and it was PACKED. A line all the way around the block, people all bundled up against the cold, an angry republican clown drifiting through the crowd trying to sell balloons, blankets and picnic baskets abundant, a few of my favorite people as shown in the phote above, and older generations of Ashevillians and children alike, all gathered together because of their belief in this campaign or their love for James Taylor. Tickets were begot by voting early, two per voter, only 5000 up for grabs. Thus all of those in attendance where especially pumped, all of us part of this truly momentus election year.
To be a part of a city that is so involved in this election, to be a part of a campus that is so thoroughly commited to its promotion--it is truly great. After leaving the rally concert, I felt the full effect of my time, this era, like a history already in the making. Much like a college student of the '60s, living in times that would make and change history, I am a college student in 2008, that great year of political upheaval, when all anyone can talk about is the state of our nation and how greatly they yearn for change, when the economy every day seems to grow more sour but the people continue to hope for tomorrow, when I could hardly pay attention to my studies out of the desire to be a part of all of these great things happening around town, whether it be Michelle Obama coming to UNCA, Hillary Clinton coming to the Civic Center, or Sarah Palin visiting town this evening.
I am marked and changed by these things, and our nation will feel the same effects in a different way. How remarkable to be a young person, right now, doing these things, in this place.
Only time will tell just how great the effect will be.

JAMES TAYLOR



Alex