Wed. May 21st

Today we discussed Tuesday's election results. First, we discussed the results as a class and then traveled over to Earl's (Barber Shop) to ask him how he felt. Last time we talked to him, he said he was rooting for Sho Duzono for Mayor. Interesting, he seemed to be okay with Adams winning, simply saying, "Well, You Know, that's the way it is." His client at the time jumped in and began telling us how he felt about the elections. Everyone there, including the class, seemed pretty happy with the Clinton-Obama results here in Oregon. The most interesting part of today was the chat with the barbers at Terrell Brandon's Barber Shop. A woman getting her hair done, was incredibly suprised that we (a large group of white people) voted for Obama over Hillary. And even more surprised that we (white women) would vote for Obama and not Hillary. I thought it was so interesting to see her totally surprised. The barber doing her hair said, "See! I told you!" They were really fun to chat with. Very personable and funny guys. They enjoyed talking with us as well. The one thing that was a little sad was when the woman said, " I don't vote. The person with the most money is the one who wins anyway." It's been awhile since I've seen a sort of "jaded" perception of the political process. I got used to the buzz and excitement that Barack Obama has infused in my surroundings on campus and around Portland. All in all, however, I learned that we can make assumption about our neighbors and through communication with them, learn that we were totally wrong and have much more in common than we may have once thought. It was a Good day.