the crossing

It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America. 

—President-elect Barack Obama, from his Victory Speech, November 4, 2008.

His victory is not redemption for all this suffering; rather, it is the symbolic culmination of the black freedom struggle, the grand achievement of a great, collective dream. ... How does that make me feel? ... All I can say is "Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound."

—Henry Louis Gates, Jr., from "In Our Lifetime," November 4, 2008. 

http://www.theroot.com/id/48731

Dear Brother Obama,

You have no idea, really, of how profound this moment is for us. ... seeing you deliver the torch so many others before you carried, year after year, decade after decade, century after century, only to be struck down before igniting the flame of justice and of law, is almost more than the heart can bear. ... Seeing you take your rightful place, based solely on your wisdom, stamina and character, is a balm for the weary warriors of hope, previously only sung about. ... We are the ones we have been waiting for.

—Alice Walker, from "An Open Letter to Barack Obama," November 5, 2008. 

http://www.theroot.com/id/48726