Phoenix city councilman Mike Johnson knew that he needed to attend this year’s Democratic National Convention. Although he would have been excited to spend the week in Denver if Clinton had won the nomination, it wouldn’t have been the same as witnessing a black man accept the Presidential nomination from a major party.
“This is one of the most historic events, as an African American, to attend in life. Having an African American male Democratic nominee for President; this is for me, my children, my parents, my grandparents and their parents,” he added.
Like many, Johnson thought the convention was “excellent, exciting and well put together.” Speakers including Michelle Obama, Hillary and Bill Clinton, Beau Biden (Joe Biden’s son), a list of veterans and other service members all put the convention into perspective and reminded people of the goals Democrats are working towards.
Obama’s nomination is extremely important because it goes to prove that you really can do whatever it is you put your mind to. “My mother always told me that I could do whatever I wanted to do, but now I really see that there are no limitations,” reflected Johnson. “I never thought I’d actually see this day come.”
He went on to explain that this gives children the opportunity to see an educated, well spoken man as a role model instead of them looking up to just athletes, actors/actresses or rappers.
It was hard to find many complaints about the convention, but one was that the hotels were too spread out which prevented delegations from getting to know other states that weren’t housed in their hotel.
The Arizona Delegation had breakfast at 7:30 each morning where they had speakers who focused on issues not only important to the state and the party, but what was important to the country as a whole. Where the country needs to go and how to get it there, fixing the economy, uniting the Democratic Party and making changes in the country are a few topics that were discussed.
For Johnson, the highlight of the convention was Obama’s acceptance speech and Michelle Obama’s opening night speech. He found them inspirational because they gave insight into how they grew up and the power that believing in yourself brings when it comes facing obstacles.
He was so moved by the speeches that he wanted to share the experience with this three children so he sent them text messages from the convention. “I just wanted them to know that I love them and how proud of them I am.” He says of his 36, 35 and 28-year-old children. As parents, we make so many sacrifices so that the next generation can do better than the previous one.
This was Johnson’s first convention and although he doesn’t expect to ever witness something of the same magnitude, he looks forward to participating in many conventions to come.
Johnson says that although Arizona is McCain’s home base and Clinton won the primary, he believes that it is possible, with lots of hard work, for Obama to win The Grand Canyon State. “The last time I checked, McCain was only up by 7 points. If we work hard enough, we can absolutely beat that.”
