| I recently spoke to a class of high school | | | | refused to let criticism or controversy stop his |
| freshmen in Houston about the value of a college | | | | dream of becoming leader of the free world. |
| education and avoiding the pitfalls that so many | | | | Obama put law school on hold to serve the poor |
| men of color seem incapable of doing. Many times | | | | in Chicago, becoming a community organizer with |
| speaking to inner-city youth can be a daunting | | | | a church-based group. He eventually earned his |
| task because they do not see the opportunities | | | | law degree in 1991 from Harvard, in the process |
| that many middle-class youth see on a daily basis. | | | | becoming the first African American president of |
| They do not see Black lawyers, doctors and | | | | the Harvard Law Review. He served in the Illinois |
| educators in their everyday lives. They often see | | | | State Senate for eight years before becoming |
| broken families, drug dealers and convicts and | | | | the third African American since Reconstruction to |
| believe that fate will lead them to the same | | | | be elected to the United States Senate. |
| destiny as those around them. Many do not see | | | | Furthermore, he needs 884 more delegates to |
| the value of attending school for another four or | | | | become the first Black nominee for the White |
| five years after high school, and some do not | | | | House in American history. If Obama's presidential |
| even see the value of high school when | | | | campaign is successful, African American youth |
| thousands of dollars can be made in the streets. | | | | will be able to see that they can rise to the |
| However, with the recent success of Barack | | | | highest position in the free world on a daily basis. |
| Obama's presidential bid, children from all walks of | | | | They will no longer exclusively see negative |
| life are finally beginning to realize that there are no | | | | portrayals of Black men, but see that despite the |
| doors closed to them if they apply faith, | | | | stereotypes and obstacles they do not have to |
| perseverance and hard work to their dreams. | | | | settle for the status quo. Many will aspire to |
| Obama followed his stunning victories in Iowa and | | | | become engineers, accountants and educators |
| South Carolina with resounding victories in states | | | | when previously they only aspired to be like the |
| like Louisiana, Kansas, Utah, Georgia and North | | | | neighborhood superstars, the pimps and drug |
| Dakota heading into the primaries on March 4 | | | | dealers. When critics said Americans could never |
| where hundreds of delegates are up for grabs in | | | | elect an African American to such a high office, |
| Ohio and Texas. The Illinois senator's improbable | | | | Obama said, "Yes, we can!" When those same |
| journey began in Hawaii, the son of Kenyan | | | | critics said Americans could never overcome their |
| immigrant Barack Obama, Sr. and Ann Dunham of | | | | racial and religious differences and unite, Obama |
| Kansas who met while they were attending the | | | | replied, "Yes, we can!" And when someone tells |
| University of Hawaii. Their son was born on | | | | you you cannot do something because of your |
| August 4, 1961, but his father eventually chose to | | | | race, gender or socioeconomic background, |
| return to his homeland, leaving Obama to be | | | | remember the mantra of this historic campaign |
| raised by a single White mother. However, he | | | | and simply reply, "Yes, I can! |