The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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November 19, 2008

Your View: Americans looked an old evil in the eye

You might not have voted for him. You might not like his plans. You might spend the next four years objecting to every decision he makes, but take a moment and admire the change that happened in American history.

A black man is in power. History will record that on Nov. 4, 2008, Barack Obama was elected president of the United States. He is biracial — his mom was white and his father was an African who was born in Kenya.

His father was never there and so his grandma taught him everything he needed to know about life. He was born in Hawaii and loved to play basketball. He always loved politics from a young age.

It was an emotional day for everybody when he got elected. Who ever thought that a black man would become president? They say he’s Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream. If only he and Malcolm X were here to see it.

Despite all the prejudice, millions of citizens managed, in the words of Dr. King, to judge Barack Obama by the content of his character and not the color of his skin. He showed that black people could become anything they want if they believe in themselves.

There were many reasons to elect him president, but the gift was to be able to watch America look an old evil in the eye and to say no more.

Yes we can. Yes we will. Yes we did.

Sahra Rashid
Mankato

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