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An absentee ballot cast for the ancestors

By Franklin McCain

Franklin McCain is one of the four A&T freshmen who took part in the Woolworth's sit-in on Feb. 1, 1960. The students demanded service at a whites-only lunch counter on South Elm Street. McCain, who is chairman of A&T's board of trustees, lives in Charlotte.

For the past several months, the ancestors have been restless and playing in my head and almost menacingly demanding that I do even more in the "Obama for President" campaign. The ancestors will not accept acquiescence and detachment from the nightmares they suffered, the prayers they uttered and the hope they cherished for the generations to come. Mr. Obama is a product of their dreams and supreme sacrifices.

My vote for Mr. Obama was done by absentee because it was too emotional to be done at a public polling place. Each mark I made on the ballot was punctuated by a prayer of faith and thanks for the ancestors. I voted for Crispus Attucks, Denmark Vesey, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Dred Scott, Marcus Garvey and all of those who felt the sting of the chastening rod; the nameless, the faceless and the disenfranchised. Yes I cast their ballot.

Two feelings characterized my emotions as the TV analyst pronounced that Mr. Obama had just tallied sufficient electoral votes to be declared the winner, president-elect of the United States. I was both euphoric and astonished. Euphoric because this represented a huge victory for coalitions of Americans of good will and common purpose. I was astonished because the "deferred dream" was to be no more. It refused to come at the so-called "right time." It came at a time of war and strife and economic turmoil, not during peace and prosperity.

Most African Americans are quick to acknowledge that none of us succeeded by ourselves; however, we made it against unrelenting odds. If destiny calls and we are not prepared, we will certainly forfeit the opportunity to change the world. But chance has always favored the prepared mind, and so it did with Mr. Obama.

Mr. Obama's election makes an implementation or restoration of the feeling "yes I can." I can become anything that I wish to be as I stand on the shoulders of my ancestors and walk across the bridge of life built by individuals and the continuous civil rights movement. I can become a U.S. senator, congressman, mayor of my city, sheriff of my county, president of the PTA, a master teacher and, yes, an exemplary father - "yes I can." The Obama victory has indeed sent out a message of hope, a sense of pride and somebodiness, and pride associated with achievement. It says especially to African American youth, it is not only OK to be smart and successful, it is expected.

The misguided course of the past eight years that plunged our country into domestic and international chaos won't disappear simply because we elected a new and capable leader. He brings no magic wand or hat trick to wish away the mess we are in. We need to be prepared to sacrifice and be patient. The same coalitions that helped elect Mr. Obama must continue to show support of his vision for a stronger and healthier America. Joe the Plumber and chainsmoking Annie should be urged to share our quest for the restoration of American democracy because they, too, sing America.

Again, Mr. Obama's victory was a win for all of America because it, among other things, demonstrated a shift in attitudes, trust and acceptance relative to matters of race. It did not cure all ills. Mr. Obama's race and course was that of a brilliant sprinter. The race for true freedom and equality for African Americans is a marathon. We still have miles to go.

I am concerned about 23 million African Americans who are still in the starting block.

Meanwhile, let us rejoice together: black and white, young and old, rich and poor. Give praise to this great thing that has happened. But we can't afford to become drunk with celebration and neonostalgia. Victory is fleeting; destiny calls us to continue the pursuit of justice and equality. The ancestors are pointing the way. Are we listening?

Glass ceiling's broken, faith in U.S. renewed

By Henry E. Frye

Greensboro's Henry Frye was once denied the right to vote because of so-called "literacy" tests. He was the first African American in the 20th century to be elected to the state legislature and the first to hold a seat on the state Supreme Court and become chief justice.

Like so many others, I was surprised when Barack Obama, a first-term senator from Illinois, announced that he was a candidate for president of the United States, subject to nomination by the Democratic Party. I had watched on television as he spoke at the Democratic National Convention in 2004, and I liked what he said, and the way that he said it! This man, I thought, could one day be president of the United States! Little did I think that it would come so soon.

During early voting, and on Election Day, I visited different polling places and I saw the lines and observed the people waiting to vote: young and old, black, white, and colors in between; some with foreign accents; some in their work clothes; and others dressed in business suits. In some places, the lines were long, but the people seemed friendly - and determined to vote. And I thought to myself: This is democracy at work, this is the way it is supposed to be.

Barack Obama ran a great campaign! He had a message of hope, a great staff, thousands of volunteers, a strong message, great organization, and eventually, plenty of money - much of it coming in small amounts from people who had never given before. As I observed the campaign (and sent in a few checks of my own), I began to believe that Barack had a realistic chance of winning.

Looking back, I remember the day, many years ago, when a small, dark, African American congresswoman from New York, Shirley Chisholm, came to Greensboro and spoke at N.C. A&T State University. I knew that her chances of winning the presidency were slim and none, but I went to Richard B. Harrison Auditorium anyway - and I had this feeling of euphoria when she walked to the stage, stood as tall as she could, and proudly announced:

"My name is Shirley Chisholm, and I am a candidate for president of the United States of America!"

I left Harrison Auditorium that day looking forward to the day when an African American could be elected president of the United States. As the Obama campaign progressed, I realized that this really could be the year, and every time I heard him speak, I remembered that euphoric feeling in Richard B. Harrison Auditorium.

Obama's election as president means that the glass ceiling has been broken. His election has renewed our faith in America.

I can now tell my breakfast buddy at Sumner Elementary School that if a former community organizer born to an interracial couple, and with a last name that ends in a vowel, can be elected president of the United States, then he, too, can have a great future in this "land of the free and home of the brave."

The leader we need lights rebirth of hope

By Yvonne Johnson

In 2007, Greensboro voters chose Yvonne Johnson as the city's first African American mayor.

Barack Obama's keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic convention touched the minds and hearts of millions. In that speech, he outlined his family's pursuit of the American dream and his belief in a generous America.

Encouraging national unity, he rejected the division and fear that were the order of the day.

He stressed that there is not a liberal America or a conservative America; there's the "United" States of America.

That speech lit the flame of a rebirth of hope in this country among many Americans.

His presidential campaign furthered that rebirth of hope by exciting many Americans of all ages, races, religions and regions of this country. He has inspired Americans to think positively and creatively about their place in this global society.

He motivated many young people to get involved and participate in the political process for the first time.

As an African American woman, born and raised in the segregated South, who reached adulthood during the turbulent '60s, I know the importance of a national leader who inspires and gives hope to the people of this country.

For me, it was John F. Kennedy, who said "ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country." And Martin Luther King Jr., who shared a dream of inclusion and justice and who taught me about the power of an awesome God, one who teaches love not hate, unity not division, and peace not war. Obama has these qualities.

Finally, in these trying times, Obama, like Franklin Roosevelt and Lincoln, will lead this country to a renewed greatness.

His character has been forged by his life experiences and training, training that taught him to listen and to put himself in the place of others to experience what they feel and to understand their motives and desires.

He is the leader we need for such a time as this.