Less than 150 years ago, a black man, woman, or child could be auctioned for sale in the United States.
Blacks were counted as three-fifths of a person until 1865. After slavery was abolished, they were hunted down by lynch mobs. And as our nation preached democracy and freedom in the face of communism, it condoned the oppressive segregation of its own citizens.
Today, Barack Obama, a black man, is president-elect of the United States of America. He is a validation of the sacrifice made by Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglass, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and a list of heroes too long to fit here. They dreamt about change and planted the seeds that have today borne fruit.
Whatever your political persuasion, this is a triumphant moment for our country. That millions of voters cast their ballot for Obama reflects a nation finally poised to embrace its diversity. Our children bear witness: If a leader with the last name Obama can be elected, that means a Rodriguez, Garcia or López also has a real chance.
While we have arrived at a historic moment, there remains much to do. A post racial America requires more than an individual achievement ushered in by a collective hope. For as much as people associate the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with civil rights, he was clear about tackling the intersection of race and poverty in America.
A black man will soon sit in the White House. But many black and Latino youths are channeled into neglected schools, unemployment and the prison system. This cradle to prison pipeline, as the Children’s Defense Fund describes it, must be ruptured.
We have monumental challenges at hand. But we also have this moment in history to celebrate and to inspire us to wrestle with the most difficult hurdles to transform our nation for the better.
Less than 150 years ago, a black man, woman, or child could be auctioned for sale in the United States.
Blacks were counted as three-fifths of a person until 1865. After slavery was abolished, they were hunted down by lynch mobs. And as our nation preached democracy and freedom in the face of communism, it condoned the oppressive segregation of its own citizens.
Today, Barack Obama, a black man, is president-elect of the United States of America. He is a validation of the sacrifice made by Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglass, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and a list of heroes too long to fit here. They dreamt about change and planted the seeds that have today borne fruit.
Whatever your political persuasion, this is a triumphant moment for our country. That millions of voters cast their ballot for Obama reflects a nation finally poised to embrace its diversity. Our children bear witness: If a leader with the last name Obama can be elected, that means a Rodriguez, Garcia or López also has a real chance.
While we have arrived at a historic moment, there remains much to do. A post racial America requires more than an individual achievement ushered in by a collective hope. For as much as people associate the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with civil rights, he was clear about tackling the intersection of race and poverty in America.
A black man will soon sit in the White House. But many black and Latino youths are channeled into neglected schools, unemployment and the prison system. This cradle to prison pipeline, as the Children’s Defense Fund describes it, must be ruptured.
