The fact that he is black gives young black kids hope that they can actually be anything they want to be. You have to understand that it makes a huge difference in the minds of people to see themselves represented. Blacks have been held down for so long, they thought it impossible for something like this to ever happen. But God had different plans. God has placed Obama where he is. You’ve got to be pretty stupid not to see that. MLK would be extremely happy to see Obama in office. For far too many years blacks have been kept out of every area of American society. So they had to start their own organizations and groups. They would much preferred to be included in the mainstream, but since they were not, they had to go their own way. It’s a major accomplishment to break down those barriers, so each milestone is celebrated as being the “first”. And yes, this country should be ashamed of 400 years of oppression. It should be reminded everyday of the lives it took, the families it destroyed, the hearts it broke. These centuries old spirits cry out from the grave. We can’t let America forget about this horrible, tragic history of slavery and oppression that she created. There will never be real healing until white society understands that. This government still owes an apology to the families of the millions of black people that were killed, maimed, and raped. Not to mention the centuries of unpaid labor, while lazy southern whites raked in the dough. No crime goes unpunished in this universe. But officially apologizing and asking for forgiveness will start the healing, and ease the burden, covering much of the debt that she must surely pay. You can put all the spin you care to on this, and quote that fat ass limbaugh all you want. But it won’t change the fact that this country has blood on it’s hands. The Earth has a long memory. And as long as you have the Republican party controlled by racists then there will be little healing. There are still a lot of “firsts” to come, and there will more recognitions in the future. By 2035, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, and Indians well be the majority. So I think white people need to start shaping up fast. Our founding fathers will be proud to see this country in the hands of a multi-racial society, continuing to uphold the noble cause of freedom and equality, and protecting and defending these United States and her legacy. If we go into this new millennium with love and respect, we’ll be ok, if we go in kicking and screaming, it could be ugly. So let’s chose the higher path. We can remain the beacon to the world, or we could very well lose our dominance just as every great society before us has since the dawn of man.
