November 7, 2020 - San Francisco @ the Castro
As a child in school, especially history class, I remember learning about the Civil War, World War I and II, Vietnam War, all of the different rallies and protests that happened in our country, and then made it in the history books showing different images regarding each event. I liked learning about the outcomes and theories that resolved those issues, whether or not they were resolved with ease or complications.
On November 3, 2020 the United States went through an intense election that could have potentially gone either way with who would win the Presidency. Like many election years, between the parties Republicans and Democrats, American’s have rights, our constitutional rights say we have the freedom to vote and Americans did that on November 3. The people, who voted, voted for who they see fit for our country for the next 4 years.
As a Photographer on November 7, 2020 and being in a well-developed, and “accepting of all” city of San Francisco I took advantage of what was happening around me. It brought me back to my childhood and in school reading and learning about John F. Kennedy (1960) Stonewall Riots (June 28 to July 3, 1969) and the Dr. King's “I Have a Dream” speech at the March on Washington on (Aug. 28, 1963). Being at the Castro, in San Francisco with experiencing this huge turnout, (especially during Covid-19) regarding the win for Joe Biden/ Kamala Harris was a historical event. The whole event was put together in only a few hours, right after the news stating that Joe Biden will be our 46th President and that he had the most electoral votes against the former 45th President, Donald Trump. The turnout at the Castro was peaceful and filled with excitement with people gathering around the wool bus listening to individuals speaking about the win of Biden/Harris. The speeches were inspirational and had everyone cheering and screaming with relief that this was a great day for Americans, The city was “Alive" with positivity.
Capturing this event was something I always wanted to experience and be part of. Not like what you see on the news. All you see are other rallies and protests in our country with major security- blocking store fronts and intersections barricading irrational people from destruction and chaos; like such events that took place at the white house on January 6, 2021. I enjoyed capturing this part of history. It was refreshing to see people come together and agree on something without destroying things to prove a point without getting hurt or even worse, killed. I am not going to sit here and write about what is good or bad about either party. I am here to write my experience about that day when our country found out that Joe Biden will be our 46th President. It was euphoric to hear the yells and screams from roof tops and windowsills of people filled with joy, expressing their excitement. While walking towards the crowd I was listening and seeing everyone’s reaction to the speeches that were being said from the wool bus which made great images to represent the excitement of everyone around me.
I am just hoping for a future with equal rights for everyone in this country. No one should ever worry about their livelihood and what rights we have in this country. Donald Trump had a safe inauguration four years ago. On January 20, 2021, Joe Biden should get the same respect that Donald Trump had. If you voted or didn’t vote for Biden/Harris, he is still our president with Harris as our vice president and as a whole, our country believed Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are the right fit for what we need right now.
God Bless America,
B-raps Studios
