A New Era

"I have a dream! I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today.” -Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.

On this day Barack Obama officially became the first African American President of the United States. Martin Luther King's dream was realized in a way that was thought not possible in our lifetime. This day has made history, his-story. On November 4th 2008 the dream of all (well, most) Americans was realized. Change became possible. The hope in Pandora’s box was reborn. The era of old is over. “The time has come.” The now and the new is here! “Hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.” The Bush Administration’s dictatorship has come to an end. Finally!
Many people question what kind of change will come while Obama is our president. There is no question mark in my head. I believe that with time Americans will see and feel the effects of the change. Nothing is instant. Everything takes time. Good things come to those with patience. This is the big one! The seismic shift in American history has taken place. The echos of Hope were heard. I believe that Obama can make a change for the better. With time.

Timeline:

Day #1 of Barack Obama’s position as the 1st African American President of the United States.

19 years since the first African American was elected to be governer of a state. (Lawrence Douglas Wilder, state of Virginia).

41 years since the first African American was elected to be the mayor of a major American city (Carl Stokes, Cleveland).

43 years since the Civil Rights Act was passed. It outlawed racial segregation in schools, public places, and places
of employment.

44 years since the Voting Act Rights of 1965 was passed. This enabled all races to vote. in connection with the 15th Amendment, the voting act solidified the right to vote for all men and women alike.

55 years since the Civil Rights Movement began.

99 years since the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded. The NAACP played a very important part in the civil rights movement.

138 years since the ratification of the 15th Amendment of the Constitution. It enabled all races to vote.

143 years since the The Thirteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution officially abolished and prohibited slavery.

147 years since the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln. The Emancipation Proclamation granted freedom to slaves in the Confederate States of America.

-Raquel-Marie

sand sculpture image by Biswaranjan Rout