Posted Notes from America's Historic Moments
by Tanya Hart

Obama Promise Land Obama PGH Celebration Obama for AURN

Barack Obama swept to victory as the nation's first black president Tuesday night in an Electoral College landslide that overcame racial barriers as old as America itself. "Change has come," he told to a huge throng of jubilant supporters. The son of a black father from Kenya and a white mother from Kansas, the Democratic Senator from Illinois sealed his historic triumph by defeating Republican Senator John McCain in a string of wins in hard-fought battleground states — Ohio, Florida, Virginia, Iowa and more. In a brilliantly written article in a recent Sunday’s New York Times, Frank Rich compares Barack to Sidney Poitier’s character in the 1967 movie “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner”. The story is that of a young white woman from a liberal family who falls in love with a brilliant black man at the University of Hawaii and brings him home to meet her parents. By now we all know it is very similar to Barack’s mother and father’s story who met at the University of Hawaii.

Like Poitier and the film which was a smash hit and received 10 Oscar nominations, Barack throughout this campaign has appeared calm and without tension. Obama's election capped a meteoric rise — from mere state senator to president-elect in four years. So how did he do it? First of all by understanding the new media of the Internet. He used grass roots techniques of two Massachusetts governors, Michael Dukais and Deval Patrick who also happens to be black, and raised three quarters of a billion dollars from mainly small donors. He engaged the youth, even those not old enough to vote, who engaged their parents to vote for Obama.

Here in Hollywood, the message was loud and clear, and yes I’m proud to live in the state that carried him over the top so he only had to wait until the polls were closed in California to proclaim to the world a new day had arrived. Over the past year, I’ve spoken with so many celebrities about the election. All of them were passionate and have lent their voices. Many of them took time out of their busy schedules to help get out the vote by participating in American Urban Radio Networks’ national voter campaign. On the day before the election many of our stars were still on the line with us. Actress Natalie Portman talked about how racism and segregation is still so prominent even in places like New York City. She is hoping that with Obama this will change. Rosie Perez told me the Latino vote would go to Obama because finally someone made them as a people and a culture feel less disenfranchised. Actor director Giancarlo Esposito, talked about how entertainment and politics have held hands on this election. He said many of the younger people found out about the candidates through multiple media formats.

Chris Shiflett from the rock group “Foo Fighters” said at the end of the day he is just a father of two sons and wants them to grow up in a better world. He said Obama could help provide that world. Samuel L. Jackson, who had a lot to say, felt that Obama’s tough road ahead might be tempered by starting with those in the most need… folks in jeopardy of losing their homes, and those, who have been out of work for too long.

Obama has said he will start with the economic crisis looming over the national and global economy.

Will Barack Obama be the “Balm in Gilead” that heals the centuries old wounds of slavery? Will Obama’s presidency help erase the “Tracks of Our Tears” from the civil rights movement? More importantly will he be able to fix the many wrongs with our government, the war, and economy that have been thrown into his lap? It is too soon to tell. In fact he has already reminded us we only have one president at time here in the U.S. and his turn doesn’t start until January 20th 2009 when he is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America. That day, just like November 4, 2008, will be forever etched in our memories and the history books. When the election was called in favor of Obama, veteran anchor Tom Brokaw held up a photo showing all the previous presidents, they were all white men. After January 20th 2009, that picture will change forever.

Click here for pre-election day coverage.