Cautious joy as blacks imagine Obama win

[jefferson_dem]

Cautious joy as blacks imagine Obama win
By JESSE WASHINGTON, AP National Writer Jesse Washington, Ap National Writer 55 mins ago



Lula Cooper expects the tears to flow if Barack Obama becomes the first black president. But she's not breaking out the tissues just yet.

"I cried when I marked my ballot for him. We've had such an incredible journey to this point," said the former civil rights activist, her voice quavering. "I think he's going to win, but I really am very, very cautious."

Like a Hollywood blockbuster whose conclusion feels assured but still sets the heart racing, the endgame of this election has gripped black America with a powerful mixture of emotions.

Obama's potential victory represents a previously unimaginable triumph over centuries of racism. But beneath the hope and pride lies fear: of polling inaccuracy, voting chicanery, or the type of injustice and violence that have historically stymied African-American progress.

Cooper, 75, experienced the oppression of the 1950s and '60s as she was dragged off to jail for protesting segregation in Wilmington, Del., where her husband was DuPont's first black chemist. Now living in the Southwest, she said she experienced modern politics when her husband lost a recent bid to become their city's first black mayor after the election was switched to mail-in ballots rather that polling-place voting.

So when it comes to Obama, Cooper is "optimistic and hopeful — but experience plays a big part."

"With my generation, in the '60s every leader that we had was killed," she said. "Then it's almost like a plate over your heart. Once you've been hurt — King, Kennedy, Medgar Evers — you dare not put that much emotion out there again."

<SNIP>

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081102/ap_on_el_pr/election_black_hopes_and_fears

[Xipe Totec]

1. History in the making

I'll be there to do my part.

[jefferson_dem]

2. An historic election to be sure.

On Wednesday morning, I will either be more proud or more ashamed of my country than ever before. I have faith it will be the former.

[Xipe Totec]

4. Obama will emerge victorious

the only question is how much of a rout it will be.

Will he win by a commanding margin?

Or, will he beat McCain by a 2-1 margin?

Or trounce him 3-1?

Or bury him 4-1?


Inquiring minds want to know...

[jaysunb]

3. Excellent story !

This is an excellent report.

[annabanana]

5. We are ALL waiting to exhale.

So many of us here have worked so hard for the last 8 years to stop the runaway train that the Country's been running on. To have to opportunity to change conductors "at the last moment" as it were... and to hand the controls to THIS candidate to do it is sweet to anticipate.

Almost TOO sweet. The ache of anticipation is physical, it's so strong.

I will cry too, if we prevail on Nov 4. But I won't breathe again until January 20th.

[w8liftinglady]

6. Talking with two of the doctors I work with today

Both African American.One was obviously overcome with the significance...he had tears in his eyes as we talked...said he had no idea other (white people) felt this way,until he saw the tears in my eyes.We talked excitedly for 30 minutes about Obama and the changes he would make.One of them said"I'm not kidding myself...but I'm taking Wed off if he wins".It was one of the best moments of my political life.

[rocktivity]

7. A year ago, Michelle said that "black America would wake up and get it"

(link) "It" being the fact that Obama couldn't possibly win on the black vote alone. What he also had to do was make himself equally viable to enough white voters to earn both a victory AND a mandate--mission accomplished!

:headbang:
rocknation