With Obama on the brink of victory, America’s leading black voices share what it means to them.
Maya Angelou, novelist:
What it means if Mr Obama is voted in, is that my country has agreed to grow up, and move beyond the childish idea that human beings are different.
Samuel L Jackson, actor:
It actually means that the lie that they told us all these years — that you can grow up to be anything you want to be in America, even the president — might actually be true now.
Jay-Z, rapper:
Rosa Parks sat so that Martin Luther King could walk. Martin Luther King walked so that Obama could run. Obama’s running so that we all can fly. I can’t wait until 5 November and I’m going to say ‘Hello, Brother President’.
There is more from each of them, and there are also statements from Toni Morrison, novelist; Jesse Jackson, civil rights leader; Spike Lee, director; Tiger Woods, golfer; Alonzo Mourning, basketball player; Stevie Wonder, musician; and James Blake, tennis player.
Read all of:
Daring to Dream of a Black President
The Independent. November 4, 2008.
I am so excited that this day has finally come! The country has indeed grown up and it is about time! As an American who long supported the run that Barack Obama was making for the presidency I have been impressed with him all the way! He is going to be a fine leader of this nation, no matter the color of his skin, and I know that America is going to come far under his leadership. There are so many reparations that must be made after the last eight years and I am certain that this is the man for the job. He will allow us to stand tall in the world again, to have pride for who we are and what we believe. This is a turning point for the United States in a very positive direction and I cannot wait to be a part of that!