Obama's All About Change

Although some call him a politically inexperienced presidential candidate, something about Barack Obama has made him a favorite among many, particularly young voters, many of whom typically aren't passionate about politics.

Perhaps it's his message, his history, of creating change.

In 2004, the political service group Citizen Change, founded by popular hip-hop icon P-Diddy, set out to motivate the 18-30 crowd to exercise its political voice with its nationwide "Vote or Die" Campaign. Now, with Obama on the scene, many young adults are not just interested in the upcoming primary election, they are excited about it, without the prompting and encouragement of hip hop celebrities.

Young voters see Obama as history in the making. As the first black president of the Harvard Law Review, he has done it before, and now America is watching to see if he will continue that trend as the first black president of the country.

"He is young, dynamic, smart, and he seems to have a heart for Americans, not just African Americans," said an excited Dawn Vinson after hearing Obama speak at the third stop on his presidential announcement tour at the University of Illinois at Chicago campus in February.

The 32-year-old from Richton Park realized that he is not just a candidate who inspires hope in the black community, he appeals largely to people of all races. "I was so surprised to see so many white people supporting Obama," she said. "I really think this is our chance to make history."

25 year-old Michael Carroll, a politically active white male, shares the same view of Sen. Obama as many of his black peers. He works as a Press Assistant in the Governor's Office of Management and Budget, and was present at the senator's initial announcement in Springfield.

"What Obama has is that intangible sparkle that inspires and drives us to believe not only in ourselves and in this country, but to believe in each other, which is usually a rarity," said the Chicagoan who originates from the suburbs of Detroit.

Obama came to Chicago in 1983 to work as a community organizer. He saw the despair, the worst of what the city had to offer. He wanted to help and give people hope that things could be better. According to his book, Dreams from My Father, his desire was to create change. "Change in the mood of the country, manic and self absorbed."

That's exactly what he is doing as he begins making his climb toward the White House - creating change - in the way people feel about politics, the way they perceive a black man's ability to run the country, the way Americans view the future of this country overall.

Obama began his political career in 1996 when he was elected to the Illinois State Senate. In 2000, Obama challenged incumbent Congressman Bobby Rush for his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, but was defeated. The senator's keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention made a bold statement, and again, Obama saw change, this time in the way he was perceived. His popularity skyrocketed, and he successfully ran for the U.S. Senate the same year.

"U.S. Senator Barack Obama and I have worked closely since he's been in Washington," said Congressman Rush of his former political opponent. "But even before Sen. Obama gave his now famous speech at the Democratic National Convention in 2004, I saw him as a potential 2004 vice-presidential candidate. I support his presidential bid in 2008. I not only look forward to his candidacy, but I hope to help him."

While some believe that Obama is the first African American that has a genuine shot at becoming president, his racial background isn't what is inspiring this generation. It's his message.

"For the first time there is a candidate that speaks our language, a candidate that knows how to dream again," said Carroll. "His words ring true, his answers are candid, and his candor about his mistakes and sensitive issues like race are genuine in the way the slickest politician cannot imitate."

Young people are frustrated with a president who doesn't provide answers that satisfy them. They are paying attention to what's going on in the world, and welcome a candidate who seems trustworthy.

"He is fresh, young, honest and real," said Rev. Charlie Dates, who represents the 21-35 Ministry at the Salem Baptist Church of Chicago. Dates agrees that this generation is aware of our desperate need for change and fresh leadership. "We believe that Sen. Obama can deliver. He has broad appeal coupled by the fact that his life's story makes manifest the utopic hope of the American Dream. This brother is the real deal."

In Obama's initial announcement in Springfield he stated, "This campaign has to be about reclaiming the meaning of citizenship, restoring our sense of common purpose, and realizing that few obstacles can withstand the power of millions of voices calling for change."

There are many voices in America, young and old, that are uniting to be that one voice that calls for Obama to be the one to lead us into that change.