Change comes to America

A historic transition of power occurred Tuesday, January 20, as Barack Obama was inaugurated as the first black president in the history of the United States.

Many believe that America has entered a new era as the 44th president promises to take the nation in a new direction as he faces many challenges.

President Obama began his career as a community organizer in Chicago from 1985 until 1988. He was elected to the Illinois State Senate in 1996, where he served for eight years. In 2005, he was sworn into office for the US Senate. In 2007, he started his presidential campaign as an unlikely candidate.

Obama prevailed in a tough fight for the Democratic nomination; and on November 4, 2008, he won the popular vote in the presidential election, an historic moment that will be well remembered in years to come.

Donley County citizens were largely in favor of Obama’s Republican opponent, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, in the November election. Obama received only 291 votes while McCain led with a total of 1,370 votes.

Project Vote results at Clarendon High School showed even stronger support for McCain, with 96 percent in favor of McCain and only 4 percent for Obama. In contrast, state-wide Project Vote results overwhelmingly supported the new president with 81 percent choosing Obama over McCain.

Even though the majority of Donley County citizens did not support Obama, he does have some strong supporters locally. One is Roy Williams who serves as pastor of the Panhandle’s first African-American church, St. Stephen’s Baptist Church in Clarendon.

“When I was sick last year, I had a lot of time to sit and watch the presidential debates,” Williams said. “I didn’t make my mind up for a long time, I was a middle-of-the-roader.

“But the more I listened to Obama, the more I knew that he was God-sent to heal this country. When he won the election, I felt like a great curtain had been torn down. The last part of segregation was the White House.”

Sammie Doering, founder of “Sam Hill” BBQ in 1997, is also proud to be on Obama’s side.

“I feel like it was divine intervention that Obama was elected,” Doering said. “He is just what God ordered.  Everyone can come together now and be neighbors without so much hate and prejudice. I am looking forward to the future with a change.”

Another Obama supporter is Louisa King, mother of the late Gwendolyn Jean King, who was the first black student at Clarendon College.

“I never thought I would live to see a black man as President of the United States,” King said. “We have come a long ways since my children attended North Ward, a segregated school in Clarendon.  Obama was elected President; but, as Gwendolyn found out, it’s not going to be easy to have success.  His work has just begun.”

Bobbie Lewis, a Clarendon resident for 62 years, thinks it is wonderful that Obama was elected.

“He can’t do no worse than the other presidents,” Lewis said. “It don’t make no difference what the color of his skin is. I think he will do just fine.”

One person who can relate to President Obama is McKinley “Mac” Smith, who in 1990 became the first and only African-American to serve on the Board of Aldermen in Clarendon.

“My time as a city councilor was a good experience,” Smith said, who served two terms on the board. “The people were always good to me. I think it is great that Obama was elected. It will be nice to have a change and see what he can do to make this nation better.”

Although the majority of Donley County citizens weren’t for Obama at first, many, such as Lyndal Gillen, are learning to put aside their differences and support their new president. Gillen teaches government at Clarendon High School.
“The inauguration was an historical event,” Gillen said. “I hope my students all stopped and enjoyed the moment. Then on (January) 21st, I hope we’ll all set aside our differences whether we’re Republican or Democrat and support our new president.”