I was lucky enough to attend Obama’s election night rally in Grant Park. It was both dull–I could have watched CNN at home, and that’s what I did for most of the rally–and awe-inspiring. How often does it happen that so many people come together to celebrate something other than a sports championship? The number of bodies standing in the southeast corner of the park was impressive, but my eyes really got wide when we left our little gated community of 60-70,000 near the stage and found Michigan Avenue–from Congress up to Randolph–full of people, with more streaming west to get to the L. And despite the vast crowds, heavy police presence, and dire reminders of Chicago in 1968, I didn’t see a single unpleasant altercation; everyone was there to revel in the fulfillment of a dream.

After two intensely disappointing elections, I finally have had some of my faith in the American electorate restored. The last eight years have shown us clearly what happens when our vote is guided by fear and ignorance. I have my fingers crossed that the next eight will be a demonstration of the effects of hope and intelligence, and that people will remember the difference, and not go down that old dark road for a long time to come.