Black On Campus
Higher Education and the African American Experience

Obama Win Inspires Hope, Raises Aspirations

November 10th, 2008 by Ajuan Mance

Anything is achievable, never say never. Obama exemplifies what Ghandi said –– to ‘be the change you want to see in the world.’

— Alan Henderson, a Howard University senior and architecture major, as quoted in the Howard U Hilltop.

Posted in African Americans, Barack Obama, Black Students, Higher Education, Howard University, race

3 Responses

  1. Clnmike

    If there is one thing that is certain it’s that self doubt about what you can accomplish has been removed from the minds of kids, now it is a matter of do you want to achieve or not.

  2. Calvin Sims

    Many people are saying that Obama’s election is a reflection of how far Black people have come. I disagree.

    There have always been successful Black people, even during slavery. There are many smart, successful Black People whose achievements are equal to or exceed those of Barack Obama, in their respective fields.

    What Obama’s election reflects is how far America has come. Since it took a lot of other ethnic groups to elect this man and Blacks could not have done so alone, this election reflects a change in tolerance and acceptance by our entire nation.

    This makes me more proud to be an American than ever. God bless American. Love live the Dream and long live the DREAMER.

  3. Ajuan Mance

    Clnmike, I think this is one of the greatest legacies of last Tuesday night. Obama’s election did not prove that racism was over. It proved something much more important and empowering, that racism does not have to stop us for reaching our goals and living our dreams.

    Calvin, your comment is a wonderful expression of all that African Americans truly do have to celebrate as a result of Obama’s election. African Americans have always claimed this country, even when whites tried to push us out. I have always felt my roots were in this nation, in the soil that my ancestors tilled and farmed. But last Tuesday night was the first time I truly felt moved to say, “God Bless America.”

    Long live the Dream and the Dreamer, indeed.