So Proud

As a 61 year old white male, I have never been the target or victim of prejudice. However, I have certainly been a witness to it during my entire life. The whole spectrum. The ingrained, unintended, and non-malicious brand exhibited by my maternal grandparents who would refer kindly to their "meskin" day laborers on the farm or by my paternal grandparents offhandedly describing the "colored" or "negra" man who would patronize their grocery and was one of their best and most loyal customers. Also, the intentional and cruel or merely thoughtless kind of bigotry that makes you hurt inside. I have to admit that, other than doing my own small part by trying my very best (successfully, I believe) never to engage in prejudice or bigotry myself, I have never been an active participant in the civil rights movement. I guess I am not very proud of that; however, I have been a great admirer of those who have been ardently and passionately involved.

It seemed to me to be unimaginable that an African-American man or woman would seriously contend for President of the United States during my lifetime. For that and many other reasons, I experienced a range of indescribable emotions and my heart was bursting with pride as I watched Barack Obama announce to a wildly cheering sea of mostly white faces last night that "I will be the nominee of the Democratic Party for President of the United States." Having read both of his books, I know that he must have been on a roller-coaster of turmoil and conflicting feelings on the inside. But, other than a passing reference to a "historical journey" and acceptance of the nomination "with humility", he never once directly or overtly mentioned what may be the most significant achievement in the history of his race in America if not the world. I don't think I could have done that, but he did -- a remarkable demonstration of restraint by what I hope and have come to believe may well be a remarkable man.

The true source of pride for the event, however, came not from Barack Obama's achievement but from my observation that the arena in St. Paul last night -- and perhaps the country -- appeared to be full of young people (including my own children) who don't necessarily think it is such a remarkable thing for a black man to be on the brink of the Presidency. I just hope my generation (and those of my parents and grandparents) don't ruin the moment for them.