Nearly everyone remembers where they were Nov. 4, 2008.
Barack Obama stood behind bulletproof glass and addressed Americans from Chicago’s Grant Park in what would become, for some, a surreal moment in history.
“If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer,” Obama said that electric night.
As the Obama years draw to a close, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution asked African-Americans to talk about Obama's presidency and legacy. Their responses are edited for space.
‘You could hear screams across campus’
Jeremy Thomas, 28, Detroit-based marketing consultant
The scene was palpable at Tuskegee University in 2008. We were all proud to cast our first ballot for potentially the first African-American president, Barack Obama.
The Student Government Association packed the student union during the presidential election watch party and then it happened – Barack Obama was announced as the 44th president. You could hear screams and cries of joy echoing across campus.
Students ran out of their dorms onto the yard and reveled in the celebration. It was something to experience and witness and words won’t ever do it justice. What eight years of Obama has meant to me is to believe in the change that I can make in my world, however large or small it is, just as he did. I will continue to stand on the hope he wanted us to have and the change he implemented for all.
‘Still the greatest country in the world’
Rickey Daniels, 55, Miami, Boy Scouts of America, Atlanta Area Council
His presidency shows how far we’ve come in this country with racism and that it’s still the greatest country in the world. (Obama) being president meant a whole lot to me and a whole lot to other people and that will last for years, years and years to come.
He went into office with some opposition. Some things he had to fight for and Republicans were not willing to work with him. He had to correct what they left behind for him to deal with.
I thought his performance was great. He put Americans back to work. He brought jobs to the country and the economy started to grow again.
His legacy will be letting minorities know, anyone know, that you can do anything that you want to in this country if you put your mind to it.
‘Never thought I would see a black president’
Stevi Grant, 23, Clinton, La., Louisiana State University-Shreveport student
I grew up with all white presidents and I never thought ever in my young life that I’d see a black president. That was very inspirational to me and it made me believe that as a country we’re not just stagnant in our beliefs.
One thing I admire about him and his wife is that they’re so personable. I think that’s a great thing to have as a president: to be a leader, but also able to talk to the people. When you see him in interviews and making his way through the crowds, he’s always smiling, shaking hands and it seems genuine. It should start a trend of being one with the people and not feeling like you’re on top of the hill and everyone’s (below you).
He’s leaving the office without any scandals. I want to see someone touch that. You didn’t hear anything (negative) about the Obamas and I think that’s a good thing. I hope that’s a legacy that can continue in the presidency.
‘Black men can run the country’
Chris Archinard, 48, Lake Charles, La., retired teacher
His biggest legacy was showing black men can run the country, and that other minorities can come in and do an excellent job (regardless of) the stereotypes that we have about black men.
People will see that the things he was trying to do were the right things to do. And as (Obama) would say, it was going to take him longer to create all of these programs that he was coming up with. Hopefully (people) won’t tear down his legacy. I think he pushed himself to make sure that he left something for all Americans to have.
‘We can go further’
Aerial Consonery, 19, Marietta, college student
His presidency had my brother thinking he can be the president of the United States, too. (Obama showed) we can achieve a lot more than just basic jobs; we can go further and reach for the long shot.
‘A family man for the common person’
Joan Smith, 71, Clinton, La.
We never thought that we would see a black president in the White House; my mother was 94 years and she was able to vote for him. So, these are the kinds of things I will always remember as long as I live.
He’ll be remembered as a very involved person, a family man and who wanted the most for the common person. For instance, insurance, most people have never had insurance and never would have if it wasn’t for Obamacare.
‘He gave young people hope’
Errol Smith, 51, Clinton, La., accountant
I think he will be remembered for doing an outstanding job with the limited amount of resources that he had.
I was hoping I would see a black president during my lifetime. When that happened, it just gave a lot of young people a lot of hope. No matter what the odds are, there are a lot of things we can accomplish in this world if we prepare for them like he did.
I think he’ll be known as one of the great presidents. He’ll probably be known as one of the worst as well, from people who don’t look like me.
However, he did what he could with what he had. I think most people think he accomplished a tremendous amount based on the support he had.
He was a president for all people.
‘We have to work as a nation’
Sharice Burns, Atlanta, tech field
He had to fight through things unnecessarily, I believe because of the color of his skin.
He was a role model for our children. A lot of times they think they can only achieve what they can see. And now that they see he was president, they see that is achievable as well. I hope we will get that in our history lessons because we miss a lot of black history in school.
We have to work together and we can’t just put ourselves in one man hands. We have to realize we have to work together as a nation.
‘An Obamaversary’
Patrice Dawkins-Jackson, 36, assistant principal at Sandy Springs Charter Middle School
March 10, 2015 … I will never forget that day. It is the day I met President Obama. My first thought, my Lord this is what power smells like. I literally laugh out loud because it was legitimately my first thought. But that was all washed away when he said, “C’mon over here, Patrice, I heard you are a teacher. Thank you for your service to our children.” He was so personable. I celebrate my Obamaversary every March 10 and will until the day I depart this earth.
Flashback to that glorious night that history was made in Nov. 4, 2008. When I saw that gorgeous black family walk on that stage, with tears rolling down my face, I said ‘I will work for him one day.’ Fast forward to 2012 and 2014, when I served as a Teaching Ambassador Fellow at the U.S. Department of Education during the Obama administration. I spoke the words into existence and with great pride I did just what I said I would.
So President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and those beautiful girls are dreams realized. I have been able to share the White House with my husband, children and my mother. From tours to the Easter Egg Roll to my Obamaversary, it has been a light to me. A realization that anything is possible. That there are no limits. Thank you, President Obama.
