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Congresswoman, D-Texas
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, found herself momentarily unable to express her sentiments as torrents of emotion washed over her in waves after Barack Obama secured the presidency on Nov. 4. Now, on the eve of the historic inauguration, Jackson Lee says the country underwent a permanent and positive paradigm shift that will usher in a new way of conducting the people’s business. –terry shropshire
Besides the obvious change in complexion with the incoming 44th president of the United States, what else will be different?
There will be an expression of caring. We know the results of compassionate conservatism [at the hands of George W. Bush]. I am so delighted that we will have — in essence — a president for change, with a heart. The essence of change with action. The essence of change with inspiration. The essence of change while doing for others. The essence of change in achieving success so that others can benefit. Those are the elements that I perceive that we will find in the next administration with Barack Obama.
What do you believe Barack Obama will bring to the table of government that will be different from his predecessors?
He already indicated that he wanted to see a nation of educated persons and people that are to achieve their best through innovation, through improved education and through more investment in the sciences and research. He has already indicated that he wants to reform education so that it is not focused only on ‘No Child Left Behind,’ an ineffective approach, but it will be focused on teaching our children. We expect we will have a new reformed health care system that gives everyone access [to] health.
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Congressman, D-Georgia
Rep. john lewis
Congressman John Lewis repeatedly risked his life for this day. His great friend, Martin Luther King Jr., willingly gave his life for the same reason. And now, four decades after they endured horrific hostilities in order to register blacks to vote, a record number of African American voters helped put Barack Obama into the White House, the first non-Caucasian to ever reside in this hallowed edifice. –terry shropshire
Describe that feeling when Barack Obama officially became the 44th president elect.
I feel grateful that I’m [able] to be here for this unbelievable moment in our history. This is a time of thanks giving, a time of celebration. I just don’t know how to express myself. It is unbelievable that we have come such a distance in such a short time. To see a young African American man elected president of the United States. I think it sends the strongest possible message to all our citizens and to the people of the world that we are prepared to create a true multiracial, democratic society.
How does this change the nearly universal perception among blacks that there are invisible barriers hindering our progress in America?
I think grandfathers, fathers, mothers, grandmothers, uncles and aunts can tell kids that it doesn’t matter whether you are black or white, Latino or Asian or Native American. You can grow up in American and be whatever you want to be. People will be saying it for years, ‘if Barack Obama can do it, you can do it, too.’
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Congressman, D-Illinois
Rep. bobby rush
What are the biggest issues facing young black men?
Do you see a change with Barack Obama becoming president?
I think the young black men nowadays are in a real dilemma. Again, it’s a question of identity, they don’t [know] whether or not they want to be in the system. … There’s a whole identity thing going on with young black males. I think that even for young black males who are successful or employed, they don’t know whether or not they want to be players or parents.
I’m sure you’re tired of people calling you, ‘the guy who beat Obama.’ Does Obama’s failure to defeat you in the 2000 Democratic primary for the U.S. House of Representatives stand out in any significant way to you?
It was more significant to him than it was for me. I guess I just do what I do and I give God all the glory for that election [and] for my victory in that election. For him, he said it was a lesson that he needed to learn about how to win and how to persuade people politically …
This election brought African Americans to the polls in record numbers.
Why is it so important for African Americans to not only get involved, but also to remain a part of the political process in the future?
I think the one positive thing about this election, this campaign, [is] that it has the potential to inspire more people to get involved in community organizing, which I think is the real foundation that must be laid in order for us have a better community. … Elections won’t liberate us. No people who have ever been liberated have been liberated based on the outcome of any election. Elections are just one quiver among the many weapons that we have to use. It’s an important [tool], but it’s not the only [tool], so we have to be [adept] enough to use all of the arrows that we have — not just one of them.
–gavin philip godfrey
