Historic election prompts response from African-American community
Jack Willems
Issue date: 11/19/08 Section: News
John Jones was happy with the 2008 election results, but he was somewhat disappointed with the watch party he was with. As the candidates made their final remarks, the people next to Jones made their own remarks, such as, "I never thought he'd be elected," and, "He'll be assassinated." Jones does not think those people knew he could hear them, and he hopes they change their mind. Still, he was a little surprised that Barack Obama could be elected president of the United States.
"I can remember watching the tears stream down Jesse Jackson's face. A lot of people from that generation felt this would never come," Jones said. "Personally, I thought I would see it, but not so soon."
Jones, president of the Student African American Brotherhood, is not alone in that sentiment. A recent CNN poll found that only 29 percent of African-Americans thought that an African-American would be elected to the presidency within their lifetime. Much like across the nation, many African-Americans on campus have celebrated Obama's ascension to the presidency. However, they differ on what an Obama victory means for race relations in America and the world at large. Some think the biggest battles have been won, while others believe that this merely sets the stage for the next step in combating racism. All of them agree on its importance, though.
"This was the first time an African-American really had a shot at winning the presidency," said Earl Hill, another African-American student on campus. "He got many people who had never voted before to register."
Hill said this as someone who did not vote for Obama. Hill, the treasurer of the College Republicans, voted for John McCain because he believed McCain had more experience in military matters and thought the election was about national security, he said.
Obama's candidacy was important because many people in the country felt disenfranchised under the Bush administration, Jones said. Some were disgusted with traditional politics and with the country in an economic downturn and fighting two wars. The country needed change, he said.
"I can remember watching the tears stream down Jesse Jackson's face. A lot of people from that generation felt this would never come," Jones said. "Personally, I thought I would see it, but not so soon."
Jones, president of the Student African American Brotherhood, is not alone in that sentiment. A recent CNN poll found that only 29 percent of African-Americans thought that an African-American would be elected to the presidency within their lifetime. Much like across the nation, many African-Americans on campus have celebrated Obama's ascension to the presidency. However, they differ on what an Obama victory means for race relations in America and the world at large. Some think the biggest battles have been won, while others believe that this merely sets the stage for the next step in combating racism. All of them agree on its importance, though.
"This was the first time an African-American really had a shot at winning the presidency," said Earl Hill, another African-American student on campus. "He got many people who had never voted before to register."
Hill said this as someone who did not vote for Obama. Hill, the treasurer of the College Republicans, voted for John McCain because he believed McCain had more experience in military matters and thought the election was about national security, he said.
Obama's candidacy was important because many people in the country felt disenfranchised under the Bush administration, Jones said. Some were disgusted with traditional politics and with the country in an economic downturn and fighting two wars. The country needed change, he said.
Be the first to comment on this story