The Presidential Elections... In China

Watching what happens with the presidential elections, how each state turns red or blue, the outcome, and how the people act as a result of that outcome can be interesting wherever you are. In China, however, I was fascinated by what I saw and talked about with the people.

As the days to November 4th (or, in our case, November 5th) drew nearer and nearer, the foreign teachers talked more and more about the elections, which candidate we wanted to win, and what would happen if each candidate won. And it wasn't just the American foreigners who were discussing this. I teach with Americans, Canadians, Phillipinos, a Kenyan, and Australians and this topic was on everyone's mind. It is amazing how important the presidential candidates were to everyone in the world - and that everyone was hoping for Obama to win!

The day of the elections, not just the foreigners were watching the live feeds. My Chinese friends were glued to their computer screens as well. 20 minutes before I started teaching, my Chinese friend called me and asked if I wanted to come to her office to watch live footage of what was happening in the United States, so I went. Of course, it was all in Chinese!

Later that day, I wanted to find out more up-to-date news about the elections and looking on the internet wasn't helping me, so I decided to call my parents with skype. My parents, who live in the United States, were watching the news on T.V., so they told me everything that was happening as soon as it happened - I could even hear some of it through the microphone. That was the best and quickest way to get up-to-date news! I even heard about Obama's win the minute that it happened this way! My dad told me all about what was happening in Grant Park, with the people crying and singing "We Shall Overcome". It was a very touching moment that I was able to share even though I am all the way in China. Thank you Skype.

After talking with my parents, I invited my Chinese friend to come watch more live news on my computer (in English, this time). We ended up talking a lot and the conversation spread from Obama and McCain to Bush, the economy in the United States, and even to 9/11. It was a very interesting conversation and it was wonderful to hear everything from her point of view.

In order to celebrate the election of Obama, two of my friends and I decided to go out. We went to a bar to have some wine and there we talked with another Chinese person about Obama. He also said that he was glad Obama had won. It seems to be unanimous that Obama was the best choice, at least with the people that I talk to abroad. We realized, though, that he has a lot on his shoulders now. The whole world is looking to him to change the negative things that have happened and to make everything better. He has his work cut out for him and everyone is watching.

I am very glad that I was able to have this experience in China. I think that I learned more being here, talking with my foreign and Chinese friends, than I would have experiencing the elections in the United States.