Rickman on Obama's win

Published Nov 05 2008, 03:28 PM by Ian Donnis

Ray Rickman, the book-lover and former state rep, sent along the following thoughts, which touch on the special importance of this election for African-Americans:

Events of world-historic significance may be understood through the application of intellectual rigor. But often the only way one can gain an emotional perspective on such complex, confounding occurrences is by viewing them through unashamedly personal prisms.

I see, superimposed over images of the election of Barack Obama to the office of President of the United States, my mother’s face. I see her on her last day of eighth grade classes as she realized that, since the nearest Alabama high school to which she would be permitted entry was 150 miles away, her education had effectively come to an end.

Then I see her receiving a Master’s degree at the age of 55.

It will be that image that floods into my consciousness as Barack Obama raises his right hand, places his left hand on the Bible, and on a cold January day strides purposefully into history as the Commander and Chief of the only super power on earth.

Filed Under: 2008 presidential race, Racial/ethnic issues

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Filed Under: 2008 presidential race, Racial/ethnic issues

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Rickman on Obama's win

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