Qasim Basir: The Inspiration of Barack: Back to Message -- "Vote"

We've had our first two screenings of the Series and the "Yes We Can" Tour has begun. As a result, my vision has become clear. The message I must convey is obvious and I've found my voice! As I remained planted in my seat in the back of the theater at Tribeca Cinemas in New York City, I tensely awaited a response from a focused audience. Maybe their unwavering concentration to the screen should've lightened my tension, knowing that most don't give much attention to that they aren't interested in, but it didn't. My heart never stopped racing and I never cooled off. This would be the first time I've showed the series to a group of more than four people, in front of a group who was non-partial, didn't have to tell me they liked it because they were my "friends," and, my first time screening any type of "political" material. This all contributed to these uncustomary, uneasy feelings. Since we were playing all seven videos straight through, there wasn't to be any applause until the end.  ... (link)