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Obama supporters express hope for change
Tuesday, November 18, 2008 1:19 PM EST
By Brad Johnson, Lisa Andrews and Erma Davis, Staff Writers
MECKLENBURG COUNTY — The historic election of Barack Obama as the nation’s first African-American president-elect was an amazing moment for many Mecklenburg County residents, one they’ll never forget. Though the excitement of election night hasn’t yet worn off, many of Obama’s supporters in Mecklenburg are now looking forward to his presidency and the changes they hope he’ll be able to bring about.
“It is great we have come this far in a short period of time,” former school principal and current Mecklenburg County Supervisor W.P. Hudgins said.
“I feel he is going to be a great president,” he said. “I think the election of Obama is good not only for the United States but the world. This election puts the U.S. in a posture it has never been in before. Many feel for the first time America is headed back to where it once was — a leader of nations. As a result of the progress the nation has made, many ethnic groups will be allowed to move forward.
“I did not think this would happen in my lifetime. The younger generation is more positive thinking. They are truly looking at a person, not at color but a person’s ability to perform.
“I join those who shed tears (on election night),” Hudgins said. “I know how it was when I was growing up in Mecklenburg County. The expense and evilness of having the races separated,” Hudgins said as he recalled the separated water fountains, restaurants and restrooms within the county.
Hudgins spoke positively about the progress the county has made as he remembered the integration of Mecklenburg County Public Schools, when he was a principal at Hill Crest in Clarksville.
The Columbia University graduate said he knew he would have to prepare the people of the community for integration. He said he went to three open-minded ministers in the Clarksville area and discussed how to prepare the parents and the students for the change.
“Blacks and whites put their best foot forward,” Hudgins said. “The ministers talked about the integration with the church congregations and we all worked together.
“I made sure there were equal numbers of black and white students in the classrooms. The teachers were very accepting and Hill Crest along with all Mecklenburg County school had no problems that I recall,” he said.
Dr. John W. Boyd, Jr., of Baskerville, president and founder of the National Black Farmer’s Association (NBFA), was a vocal supporter of Obama during his presidential campaign.
“I have supported the issues (of small and black farmers) and will continue to look at the subsidy issues,” Boyd said, adding that he feels Obama will also want to look at subsidy issues. He noted that he and Obama are in support of bio-fuels.
Boyd traveled with the Obama campaign voicing concerns about what Boyd and others see as the United States Department of Agriculture’s failure to aid in improving the quality of life in rural communities through improved agricultural outreach, access to credit for small farmers, family farm business development, food distribution, and rural economic development.
“I felt the U.S. voters picked the best man for the right time,” Mecklenburg County Board of Supervisors member Glanzy Spain said. “We needed a person that was smart and energetic and had the support of the people who could carry the people through the troubled times ahead. He is that person and he was elected by the people.
“I did not think in my lifetime that this would happen but I knew it would happen at one time. I feel he was elected because of the content of his character, not because he was a black man. It was absolutely important that we got the best man for the time. If they picked a person who was not qualified, I would have felt bad. It reminds me of 45 years ago when Dr. King said that ‘one day’ and that one day is here. It felt so good looking at TV to see that we have finally come together. We all know that there must be a change and we feel like he is the one to make tat with the support of the people, from all walks of life rich to poor.
“As he has stated, the economy and finances are affecting everyone,” Spain said. “I feel like he will fix it. He might not get it right the first time but I think he and his people feel that is a priority.”
Cordelia Powell of Boydton said of Obama’s election, “I never in my life time would have thought that someone of color would have the nerve to think about it (to become President of the United States). Now any child of color can be anything. We (Americans) must be softening up,” the 87-year-old, who was the first African-American person elected to the Mecklenburg County School Board, said.
“When I first came here (to Mecklenburg County in 1942) I taught at the all-black school in Clarksville,” Powell recalled. She said she later moved into a position working for West End High School that required her to work with other white teachers on the western end of Mecklenburg County. “We built relationships by working together,” she said. “There was no revival; we just did it.”
“Mecklenburg County is moving a little slow in acceptance,” she said. “We (citizens) question decisions that affect people and we must get over that and accept people as they are and not think certain people will act a certain way because of the certain way they look.”
“I was elated election night,” former Clarksville mayor and Obama supporter Bob Wilkerson said. “I thought it said a great deal about the country and it said a great deal about the prospect of a future.
“I thought it was too long in coming but I grew up in Mecklenburg County at a time of segregation, so I think both whites and blacks lost something with that schism between us.
“I would think the first thing (for Obama to focus on as president) is certainly the economy, secondly the war in Iraq,” Wilkerson said. “Hopefully by his being elected it will send a message to other countries that the United States is a very special place and we’ll regain some of the respect we had from some years ago. He has a great opportunity.”
Tanique Osborne, a Mecklenburg Obama supporter in her 20s, said, “ I was SOOO happy when they announced Obama as our new president to the point where I was jumping up and down, screaming, ‘We made history because my vote counted!’
“It meant a lot to me because I truly believe he can make a change. Not only because of his race but that he will serve is term as president well.
“I expect him to do the best by his people due to the fact we are in his hands,” Osborne said.
Gary Hayes, Jr., a Mecklenburg Obama supporter in his 20s, said, “I was relieved and overwhelmed to finally see a black president. I am glad there is somebody who cares for the people and their issues.”
“It meant that finally a black man could make a difference for all races. It means that people will start caring about the wellbeing of everyone. It will no longer be about the money.”
Asked what he hoped the president elect would focus on once sworn into office, Hayes said, “I’m hoping Obama will change this world around for the best. Hopefully he will focus on taxes, health insurance, social security for the elderly and more jobs for Americans.” |
