The First Black President: Barack Obama

Published by Pamela Gentry on Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at 2:14 pm.

President-elect Barack Obama and Vice president-elect Joe Biden, right, wave to their supporters after Obama delivered his victory speech at his election night party at Grant Park in Chicago, Tuesday night, Nov. 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais

By Pamele Gentry, Senior Political Producer

COLUMBUS (Nov. 5, 2008) – Throughout the night I received text messages, voice mails and e-mails from folks who couldn’t believe what was happening.

One text message from my niece in South Carolina was simple, “OMG” [Oh my God]  and another from a niece in Michigan: “I wish toot could have seen this,” referring to Obama’s grandmother, who died Monday morning after suffering from cancer.  

Cheers, tears and hugs are the only way I can describe the crowd’s reaction to the news that the freshman senator from Illinois had won Ohio. 

Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman told me, “He’s done what Michael Dukakis, Al Gore, and John Kerry couldn’t do,” win Ohio.  The win in Ohio truly set the mood for the rest of night. While waiting for returns from other battleground states, the crowd gathered in downtown Columbus had an air of confidence.

Widescreen televisions became the focus of the night and as state after state turned blue, the crowd erupted into cheers.

Columbus along with Cleveland, Toledo, Dayton and Youngstown delivered for Obama, and he faired well with earlier voters, young folks and African-Americans is the state.  According to polling by CNN, Obama landed 63 percent of 18 -29 year-old voters, 97 percent of the Black vote, and 50 percent of the undecided cast their vote for the president elect. 

Ohio is an important state in presidential politics and Tuesday night it was one of the early signs Obama was on the road the victory.

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Comments

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MzJai Said on

Matthew20:16 says, So the last shall be first, and the first last. A special lesson, first, to the Jews. They had been called first by God, but the Gentiles who heard the call should soon enjoy special privileges. They would even be first in the kingdom, because of their greater readiness to receive the gospel. Our duty in the vineyard is to go to work as soon as the Lord calls us, and to do what he tells us. I think this scripture applies to us as a people right now, and wanted to share it with you! God Bless!



bebegirl Said on

Obama aint the first black president, clinton is..



LATOYA Said on

FINALLY FOR ONCE IN THIS LIFE TIME THERES A BLACK PRESIDENT. IT MAKES ME WONDER WAT WILL BE THE OUTCOME OF THIS.
OBAMA THIS IS YOUR TIME TO TRUELY SHINE AND PROVE THAT ANY RACE CAN RUN THE U.S.A. GO OBAMA. YEPPPIE



kay Said on

“GOD SHOWED UP AND SHOWED OUT” HE LET THE WORLD KNOW , “THAT I AM WHO I SAY I AM” ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE THROUGH ” JESUS CHRIST” So let’s move on from Black and White, IT’S TIME TO COME TOGETHER AND LET OTHERS KNOW, THAT “USA” IS A STRONG NATION AND WE WILL LOOK OUT FOR OUR FELLOW BROTHER OR SISTER, WHETHER THEY BE BLACK, WHITE, HISPANIC, ASIAN, NATIVE AMERICAN. LAST NIGHT WE LET OTHER COUNTRIES KNOW THAT WE ARE ” A MIGHTY PEOPLE”. AS I WATCHED LAST NIGHT THE ACCEPTANCE SPEECH OF “PRES. ELECT OBAMA” , THE CAMERAS MOVED AROUND THE PARK TO CATCH SHOTS OF THE MASSIVE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE AND THEIR REACTIONS. THOSE PEOPLE DIDN’T CARE WHAT RACE THEY WERE STANDING BESIDE, OR IF WAS A MAN OR WOMAN THAT WAS BESIDE THEM!!!! AND IN OTHER STATES PEOPLE GATHERED AT DIFFERENT PLACES TO WATCH WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. I SAT AT MY TELEVISION SET AND WAITED FOR THEM TO DECLARE HIM “PRESIDENT”, DURING THE TIME OF HIS ACCEPTANCE SPEECH, THE PEOPLE EXPRESSION ALL OVER THIS WORLD, I BELIEVE SAID; ” LOOK WHAT WE’VE DONE! WHEN OUR SPIRIT CONNECTED AND
WE FORGOT ABOUT THE “OLD YESTERDAY” AND THOUGHT ABOUT THE “NEW TOMORROW” . IT’S ABOUT CHANGE!!!! NOV 5, WILL BE ABOUT A NEW DIRECTION IN ALL OUR LIFE. AND IF WE HAVE ANYTHING THAT’S NOT POSITIVE, WE NEED TO START MAKING ” A CHANGE.” BECAUSE LAST NIGHT WE ALL WITNESS THE “UNBELIEVEABLE” MAY GOD BLESS PRESIDENT “OBAMA AND VICE-PRESIDENT “BIDEN.” AND MAY GOD BLESS EACH OF YOU!!!



Song Byrd Said on

We as a nation need to realize that this was not a black and white thing but a CHANGE thing. We have needed this change for quite some time now. Not just Blacks but PEOPLE who were sick of being taxed, broke, busted, and disgusted!! Yes I’m happy that FINALLY a man of color is in one of the most powerful positions. One that my people have been told we would never hold. But I’m more thankful to see that a CHANGE is on its way for EVERYONE!! Regardless of color or financial status hopefully we can come together and embrace President Obama’s vision. He is a man of character and I am certain that everyone will gain positivly from his leadership, both Democratic and Republican. God Bless and Keep this country, our new President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama and Family. God Bless America!!



S.Tavares Said on

Rosa Parks sat, so Martin L King could walk… Martin walked so, Obama could run… Obama is running so our children can fly.
This is a year of uncommon testimony and this is mine and ours testimony. For the God commands the morning, we are able to do much more through God who strenghten us. God is working wonders for His children, no limites no banderries we are able. God bless Obama and his household, may we continue to pray for him so he (Obama) may have the strenght to do what he is appointed to do, thank you Jesus! I am forever gratefull that I am part of this history to kept me alive for this day 5th November 2008, the year of a new season a new day has come for us!



Dawn Said on

I am extremely overwhelmed with emotion about the turnout of this election. After hearing stories from my own family members about the severe racism not to long ago during the Civil Rights movement, after all the sit-ins, freedom rides, marches, and countless other protests our people went through we have finally gotten our reward!! AN AFRICAN AMERICAN HOLDING THE HIGHEST POSITION IN THE USA…. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As stated above GOD really showed out in this election. HE brought us from nothing, slaves, and now PRESIDENT… just to show us how Great we are as a people and much we have progressed despite hardships.



Diva Said on

I NEVER FELT SO ALIVE



Kimashawn Said on

Rosa Parks sat

so that Dr. Martin Luther King could walk

So that Barack Obama could run

So that our children can FLY.



Solita Said on

I’m still in tears from last nights victory! I’m floored by how far we’ve come as a people and as a nation. I’m truly overwhelmed by the success of the Obama compagin. It was an amazing groud breaking race from start to finish. Part of what makes this so wonderful is that it wasn’t just our people that backed him…it was all mankind, people from every walk of life; with race, gender, sexual orientation, and religon aside we all came together to make American history! I’ve never been more proud to be an American than I am today. My president is black!! and I love it!



Alex Said on

I was surprised at myself because ya’ll know how i feel about Obama’s politics. but i guess black trumps politics.

last night was amazing. i voted for Obama and at that time i didn’t really feel anything. but later on when i saw that he was going to win i thought about my grandfather, grandmother and my parents. i thought of the stories my mother and grandmother told me about 50’s and 60’s (Jim Crow era) and how badly the were treated and i almost started crying (i didn’t though because i’m beast…LOL). last night was huge for the black community. i wished my grandparents could have experienced this.

So yesterday was huge. especially for the deep south (Louisiana baby!), black people down here have been through a lot over the years….100 years!



Alex Said on

No more excuses black folks!
The white man can’t keep us down.



Kevvin Said on

BARACK OBAMA being elected President of the UNITED STATES is such an historic event for America and the WORLD. As a BLACK MAN, I am TRULY PROUD of AMERICA! And I ask BLACK Americans, to all give AMERICA, and the part of WHITE America that VOTED for a BLACK MAN for President of the United States; please give AMERICA credit and the **(PRAISE)** for doing some thing RIGHT! And REV AL SHARPTON and JESSIE JACKSON, you guys also have to give AMERICA some credit for electing a BLACK MAN as President of the United States.

And BLACK America and BLACK MEN, we have to look at BARACK OBAMA and see how important EDUCATION and focusing on COMMUNITY and doing the (RIGHT THING) is. And that is what OUR life’s should be about. Especially the BLACK MALE, we need to get ourselves together and focus on EDUCATION to get that JOB! And focus on taking care of our FAMILIES and taking care of our COMMUNITIES. BLACK man, be GOOD fathers to your kids; and be good and POSITIVE ROLE MODELS to your kids and to your COMMUNITY. GANGSTAS and THUGS should **(NOT)* be our kids heroes! Follow BARACK OBAMA example for EDUCATION and doing POSITIVE things in life for SUCCESS, not THUGS and GANGSTAS! Make sure you know who your kids are hanging out with. Make sure your kids do their Homework, and that they grow up to be and do something POSITIVE for the BLACK COMMUNITY. Even if you are NOT with the women that give birth to your kids, as a (MAN), YOU are responsible for taking care and helping raising your kids, and making SURE they grow up to be some thing **(POSITIVE)** in life. BLACK MEN, be MEN and do the RIGHT THING !



keevvin Said on

BARACK OBAMA being elected President of the UNITED STATES is such an historic event for America and the WORLD. As a BLACK MAN, I am TRULY PROUD of AMERICA! And I ask BLACK Americans, to all give AMERICA, and the part of WHITE America that VOTED for a BLACK MAN for President of the United States; please give AMERICA credit and the **(PRAISE)** for doing some thing RIGHT! And REV AL SHARPTON and JESSIE JACKSON, you guys also have to give AMERICA some credit for electing a BLACK MAN as President of the United States.

And BLACK America and BLACK MEN, we have to look at BARACK OBAMA and see how important EDUCATION and focusing on COMMUNITY and doing the (RIGHT THING) is. And that is what OUR life’s should be about. Especially the BLACK MALE, we need to get ourselves together and focus on EDUCATION to get that JOB! And focus on taking care of our FAMILIES and taking care of our COMMUNITIES. BLACK man, be GOOD fathers to your kids; and be good and POSITIVE ROLE MODELS to your kids and to your COMMUNITY. GANGSTAS and THUGS should **(NOT)* be our kids heroes! Follow BARACK OBAMA example for EDUCATION and doing POSITIVE things in life for SUCCESS, not THUGS and GANGSTAS! Make sure you know who your kids are hanging out with. Make sure your kids do their Homework, and that they grow up to be and do something POSITIVE for the BLACK COMMUNITY. Even if you are NOT with the women that give birth to your kids, as a (MAN), YOU are responsible for taking care and helping raising your kids, and making SURE they grow up to be some thing **(POSITIVE)** in life. BLACK MEN, be MEN and do the RIGHT THING !



FMELVIN Said on

THIS IS TRUELY A BLESSING FROM GOD.
WE STOOD UP, WE VOTED, AND WE WERE COUNTED.
WE ARE A GREAT PEOPLE.
LOOK AT HOW FAR WE HAVE COME. WE HAVE COME FROM SLAVERY TO THE WHITE HOUSE.
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. STOOD ON THE SHOULDEDRS OF FREDERICK DOUGLAS, AND NOW BARACK OBAMA STANDS ON THE SHOULDERS OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. NOW MY SON AND YOUR SON HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO STAND ON THE SHOULDERS OF PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!! THIS TRULY IS OUR COUNTRY TOO!!!



ken Said on

BARACK OBAMA being elected President of the UNITED STATES is such an historic event for America and the WORLD. As a BLACK MAN, I am TRULY PROUD of AMERICA! And I ask BLACK Americans, to all give AMERICA, and the part of WHITE America that VOTED for a BLACK MAN for President of the United States; please give AMERICA credit and the **(PRAISE)** for doing some thing RIGHT! And REV AL SHARPTON and JESSIE JACKSON, you guys also have to give AMERICA some credit for electing a BLACK MAN as President of the United States.

And BLACK America and BLACK MEN, we have to look at BARACK OBAMA and see how important EDUCATION and focusing on COMMUNITY and doing the (RIGHT THING) is. And that is what OUR life’s should be about. Especially the BLACK MALE, we need to get ourselves together and focus on EDUCATION to get that JOB! And focus on taking care of our FAMILIES and taking care of our COMMUNITIES. BLACK man, be GOOD fathers to your kids; and be good and POSITIVE ROLE MODELS to your kids and to your COMMUNITY. GANGSTAS and THUGS should **(NOT)* be our kids heroes! Follow BARACK OBAMA example for EDUCATION and doing POSITIVE things in life for SUCCESS, not THUGS and GANGSTAS! Make sure you know who your kids are hanging out with. Make sure your kids do their Homework, and that they grow up to be and do something POSITIVE for the BLACK COMMUNITY. Even if you are NOT with the women that give birth to your kids, as a (MAN), YOU are responsible for taking care and helping raising your kids, and making SURE they grow up to be some thing **(POSITIVE)** in life. BLACK MEN, be MEN and do the RIGHT THING !



starzz Said on

YES!!!!!! OBAMA WON I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD BE HERE TO SEE THE DAY IT IS TRULY A BLESSING



kevinnn Said on

BARACK OBAMA being elected President of the UNITED STATES is such an historic event for America and the WORLD. As a BLACK MAN, I am TRULY PROUD of AMERICA! And I ask BLACK Americans, to all give AMERICA, and the part of WHITE America that VOTED for a BLACK MAN for President of the United States; please give AMERICA credit and the **(PRAISE)** for doing some thing RIGHT! And REV AL SHARPTON and JESSIE JACKSON, you guys also have to give AMERICA some credit for electing a BLACK MAN as President of the United States.

And BLACK America and BLACK MEN, we have to look at BARACK OBAMA and see how important EDUCATION and focusing on COMMUNITY and doing the (RIGHT THING) is. And that is what OUR life’s should be about. Especially the BLACK MALE, we need to get ourselves together and focus on EDUCATION to get that JOB! And focus on taking care of our FAMILIES and taking care of our COMMUNITIES. BLACK man, be GOOD fathers to your kids; and be good and POSITIVE ROLE MODELS to your kids and to your COMMUNITY. GANGSTAS and THUGS should **(NOT)* be our kids heroes! Follow BARACK OBAMA example for EDUCATION and doing POSITIVE things in life for SUCCESS, not THUGS and GANGSTAS! Make sure you know who your kids are hanging out with. Make sure your kids do their Homework, and that they grow up to be and do something POSITIVE for the BLACK COMMUNITY. Even if you are NOT with the women that give birth to your kids, as a (MAN), YOU are responsible for taking care and helping raising your kids, and making SURE they grow up to be some thing **(POSITIVE)** in life. BLACK MEN, be MEN and do the RIGHT THING !



KD Said on

I’m 26 years old, and for the first time in my life I can say “I am an American”. I can say “I belong here, and I matter”. I can honestly look at my son “Zion” and tell him, “you can be the president of the United States of America if you want. America we’ve come a long way, I’m proud of us…………..all of us(black, white, asian, muslim……………………………..Let’s rejoice in this moment and let’s make a vow to never look back. I can feel the spirit of our ancestors rejoicing as well. Their hard work and determination was not in vain.
KD



seschris Said on

HALLELUJAH!!!!!