Election Results

November, 4th this year has proven to be a special day. The anticipation, the race between candidates Obama and McCain, and the results had many John Jay Students excited.

Janel Smith, a senior Criminal Justice Major, beamed a smile when talking about the results of the race.

“I was in total shock. I was so excited but moved. I cried a little and laughed a lot with my mom. I was even more excited when I realized that Obama wasn't going to get assassinated the moment people found out. I was surprised to see all of the people celebrating, and I was so proud that people were able to put race aside and vote for him. When he gave his speech I was completely overwhelmed,” she said.

Natalia Ruiz, a John Jay alumni in the Government and Latin Studies fields, was equally overwhelmed. “I was so happy I did a dance and cried out. This made freaking history and I was proud that it was him. He deserved it; a fighter and a speaker and a sure damn good candidate turned-president.”

But not all students were ecstatic.

Shea Donato, a John Jay Graduate student in the Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Deviance fields, found November, 4th a bittersweet day.

On Obama’s victory, she was excited. “The best word to describe my reaction is ‘conflicted’. First, the good news. An Obama/Biden administration. Oh hells yes. And a friendly Congress that won't do everything in its power to stop everything that Obama tries to do? Even better. Normally red states going blue? Even better. And the fact that race was not a significant issue according to exit polls? The best news of the night,” she said.

But there was also bad news. “Not only did one of the most progressive states in the union, California, pass Proposition 8, states like AR restricted the rights of unmarried couples from adopting children. In their furor to ban ‘the gays’ out of normal civilization, they've also inadvertently taken out unmarried heterosexual couples from the adoptive parent pool.”

Proposition 8 was a state ballot voted on in California that overrode the Supreme Court decision to allow Same-Sex marriage in California. In essence it brought California back to marriage being restricted to heterosexual couples.

“Just one of many examples of bigotry harming everyone, and not just the group that is being marginalized. These restrictions came on the heels of a night of ‘change’ and I'm afraid were overshadowed by Obama and Biden's amazing victory. It's been nice to see that attention has started to pick up over it, but November 4th literally represented a huge step forward and a huge step backward for civil rights.”

There was also students who weren’t democrats who had mixed reactions to the results.

Anthony Muzio, a senior at John Jay, said “I respect Obama’s charisma, but I disagree with a number of his views. I feel the same with McCain, so I voted Nader. I don’t care what color the president is, I care that people don’t use there brain when they vote,” he said.

Muzio also felt that race, or Ethnicity, was very important in this Presidential race, but not in a positive matter. “I’m independent so I knew I was gonna lose, but honestly I feel that most people either voted for Obama cause he was either Black, just cause he was a democrat, or because it seemed like the cool thing to do. I hate that. It’s like when people say they’re a met fan yet they can’t name a damn player on the team.”

Jodel Jeremie, a senior of the English Major at John Jay, felt the opposite. “I’m waiting to catch a republican crying over the fact that black people supposedly are selfish, because all they care about is having a black president.”

Edward Cambro, an alumni of John Jay for Forensic Psychology and Thematic Studies, is also a republican, and was less concerned with race, and more with the future of his party. While his party didn’t win, he felt that change, an important slogan for Obama’s campaign, may be coming for his party as well. “As a Republican I can't say I was too pleased with the election. I'm glad I got to see the first black President in my lifetime, but I would've preferred it be Colin Powell. Considering, however, the way the GOP has been moving towards these neo-cons like Bush Sr and Jr, maybe this loss will change things for my party,” he said.

Others, though, found inspiration in the election. Sade Solomon, a senior at John Jay, saw it as motivation for many of younger generations. “I really hoped that the youth of our race and culture would take a hint from him and use him as a model for their own lives. They have someone to look up to that isn't an entertainer or a criminal so now they can buy into what he says instead of the negativity that has been out there for so long,” she said.

One way or another, the results of November, 4th is one that will be a milestone in the memories of many students, whether positive or negative. Many students were happy, though, and saw the day as the start of change in the nation. Vanessa Garcia, a senior at John Jay, could barely find the words to convey her happiness. “I cried. I got the New York Times. I’m going to frame it.”