As a first time voter, I had the privilege of going to a rally for the first time that was hosted on my very own college grounds. I never thought I would be going to one of these events because I was never really much into politics growing up. Yes I’ve heard a bit here and there, but I would usually shut one ear and listen to something else because I hated the controversy behind it and how it could determine a future relationship.

However, when the opportunity presented itself and I learned that the Vice President Kamala Harris was coming to my college, and that of course my classes were all canceled for the day, I decided what else I would do for the day, but go to a once in a lifetime event. Like I said before, I did not know much about politics and where both of the candidates for this important election stood on their views, so going to this rally was beneficial for me to learn about the views of candidate Vice President Kamala Harris.

Upon arrival, my roommate and I wanted to go check out what the line was like and there were already a bunch of people standing outside, although it was only around 9 am. We saw our friends at the front of the line and asked when they got there and they told us 7:45 am (fast forward… the event did not allow for opening of the doors until around 12 pm). Seeing our friends, we decided to also hop onto the line in which we found the back to be almost at the beginning of the muhlenberg field on liberty street.

Waiting felt like forever, however while being on that line I saw emotions of happiness along with anger that struck across people’s faces when the opposing team started rallying on the opposite side of the street with banners.

During the time of waiting there were also nice neighbors who allowed for those waiting on the line to go in their house and use their bathroom! She was such a nice family and actually she had just moved from Japan and was looking for students at Muhlenberg to teach her two kids (5 and 7 years old) to play the piano. I offered my number to see if anyone wanted to take this task into consideration, as I was also up for the offer. I believe the fundamentals of music can really impact a child’s life and shape it for the better.

However, as I finished using the bathroom in her house, the line was in a hurry because they had finally opened the gates. My friend and I sprinted because we didn’t want to not be able to get in after waiting all of this time. But not to my surprise, when the gates opened, we had to wait on another line which guided us into the different sections of the event. As students of Muhlenberg we were guided towards section B, which in my opinion was one of the best seats in the house because we could see exactly where the VP was going to come out and we would be in very close proximity to her.

As the rally started, you could hear cheers from the crowd as each of the politicians spoke their piece. One of the special guests that appeared on the stage was Fat Joe, however he did not rap one of his songs, but rather wrote a speech speaking out to his fellow Hispanic people trying to get their vote for Kamala because the polls opened the very next day.

As each politician along with a singer came onto the stage, such as Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Congresswoman Susan Wild, Rapper Fat Joe, and Latin singer Frankie Negrón the crowd burst into cheers. However, when Vice President Kamala Harris was coming onto the stage, everyone stood and the crowd had never been louder for her entrance. Upon her giving her speech, she directed it towards the people of Allentown and why they should get her vote. However, when she was speaking, a protester shouted out from the crowds and was quickly escorted out of the event, so that she wouldn’t be a disruption from Harris finishing her speech. 

At the end of the day, I would say that this event was very beneficial to my life experience only because I got to see so many things that I would have never experienced if I didn’t go to this event.