Barack Obama:America's First Black President

It has been 40 years since Martin Luther King marched in Washington and gave his "I Have A Dream" Speech. Since then the African American Community has struggled and fought and scratched it way to where we are today. The sacrifices of many allowed dreams to come true for a few.

As we all listened to the announcement that Barack Obama would in fact be the next President of the United States of America, we all let out a collective sigh. Tears streamed down faces across America, including Rev. Jesse Jackson, Oprah, Roland Martin, and Rev. Al Sharpton. We all had to stop and pinch ourselves to be sure that we were truly awake.

Though I am not an African American, I do have grandchildren who have the heritage, along with mine. Much the same as Barack Obama. Coming from the Deep South and living in the middle of the struggles of being a female and seeing the struggles of the black communities, I feel America has finally evolved.

I am not naive enough to believe Barack Obama being elected equates to complete tolerance and acceptance. I do believe that America has started to outgrow the bitter ignorance of the past.

We saw John McCain and Sarah Palin do everything within their power to start a race war. They knew if they said Muslim or Terrorist enough, they would ignite the racists across the United States. They denied that of course, but if you live in America and know anything about the past, you know you are instigating hatred and ignorance.

I am so very proud on this November 5, 2008, that not only did young people across America come out in force to prove their love for this country, but the African American community got up and stood up. They saw that this was a defining moment in history for their lives and for the lives of future generations. America saw that this was the change that we needed at this time in our history.

Both of my grandchildren were in front of the tv when they announced Barack Obama as the next President. I have said several times throughout this election when talking with them, how important this was for their lives. At 6 and 8, they are aware, even though not completely, of the meaning of this election. I spoke with them both this morning and told them they were living in history and that was important.

I can only pray that America will come together with this man. This was history as an election, but if Barack Obama is not supported and if America cannot bring itself to unite, then that will be the only history made here. History will write about the failure instead of the success.

For history to be written for the future, America must not be divided or slack in its efforts to rebuild this country. If we allow ignorance and biased attitudes to continue to be our driving force, America will not become great again. It will become yet one more disaster for us to struggle out of. If we continue to be greedy, lazy and selfish, America will continue to suffer from disasters.

We are at a crossroads in this country. President Obama told us last night in his acceptance speech that today is when the work would begin. This is not the end of the problems for our country. It is the beginning of working to solve it. If we all participate, we will build a greater and stronger America. That means being a Good American and being responsible for you and yours. It means working if you can and teaching your children responsibility and American pride.

We will prove as he said, that America once again has shown what democracy is about. It has shown what the American people can accomplish if they work hard and stay focused on the important stuff.

I pray America will unite. I pray that no longer will children such as my grandchildren have to endure the degradation and humiliation that has been inflicted on so many in the past. I pray for my friend Mrs Sam King who, through the last weeks has been losing her battle with cancer. A proud black woman who lived in Georgia during the worst times. Who can tell you horrifying stories of fear and disrespect that both her and her husband endured. I pray that the disbelief she has of the racists actually letting Obama run the country, will not be the way this historical event turns out.

I cried when Obama spoke last night. I cried because of my grandchildren. I cried because of the way America came together to do the right thing in this election. I also cried for the many who chose to fight, no so long ago, for the right thing.

As I watched as history unfolded last night, I was struck by the emotion on so many faces. Al Sharpton whom I have come to have a certain respect for, Jesse Jackson who I wrote a college paper on, but had dismissed and Oprah whom I love all have lived through the discrimination and mistreatment of the black community. The obvious pride and recognition of this historical event was written on all their faces. The years of struggle that the participated in must have felt like it was all worth it last night.

This truly was the most historical event I have witnessed in my lifetime. United We Stand--Divided We Fall....It is up to you America. It is time to decide your position so the rest of us can get busy.

God Bless President Barack Obama. God Bless America!