More than 200 years since the end of slavery, 40 years after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., and decades after the end of the civil rights movement, the Moment is here: a time when black men will no longer be subjugated, dehumanized, or seen as inferior in this society; that's because America has elected its first African American president.

PINCH YOURSELF! YES, IT'S REAL! Barack Obama has been chosen as the new president of the United States!

After centuries of oppression, pain and struggle, a black man will now be the most powerful man in the free world. He has persevered, he has been slandered and tested, but now his time has come.

From the shackles of the pre-Civil War era, to the lynchings of 1900's and early 20th Century, to the hoses of the 1960's, African Americans have been persecuted in this country -- but no more. Ladies and Gentleman, the dream has been fulfilled! As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had hoped, a black person has finally been judged by the content of his character rather than the color of his skin.

This achievement comes despite all of the inner turmoil within the African American community, negative media coverage, and breakdown of our families. WE HAVE OVERCOME and somewhere our ancestors are smiling.

Yet, let us not forget: there is still work to be done. President-elect Barack Obama can't change the country or the world alone. We do have to do our part, which means repairing the strife in our community, rebuilding our neighborhoods, educating our children, and making sure that our young men take responsibility for the children they create.

However, now we can do so knowing that anything we want to do can be done if we work, believe, and band together.

My people, we are all part of history and we will forever be known as the generation of African Americans who helped elect a black man to the nation's highest office and gave our people the hope they so desperately needed.

Barack Obama addressed an ebullient crowed at an enormous victory rally in Chicago's Grant Park celebrating his election as 44th President of the United States on Tuesday night.

"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," said Obama, 47, "tonight is your answer."

The President-elect, who made history by becoming the first African-American elected to the highest office in the country, was joined by his wife, Michelle, and daughters Malia, 10 and Sasha, 7 onstage. Also among the estimated 240,000 people who came out for the rally were a tearful Oprah Winfrey, Brad Pitt, and politician Jesse Jackson.

"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," said Obama, who was greeted by thunderous cheers.

He thanked his number one supporter – his wife – whom he called, "the rock of our family and the love of my life." And offered up a reward to his two daughters for enduring a long campaign, saying, "You have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House."

Obama also made special note of his beloved grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, who died this week, saying, "I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am… I miss them."


As for his his rival, John McCain, Obama praised him for his long years of service and sacrifice to the country, calling him a "brave and selfless leader. "

Earlier in the day, 70,000 guests received coveted tickets to the rally – and up to 1 million people were expected to attend, according to Chicago authorities. At the moment when news organizations declared Obama the next president, the crowd erupted in shrieks and screams of "Wow!" and "My God!" People shook, wept and hugged each other.

"Everyone wants to be part of American history," Mayor Richard Daley said earlier in the day, predicting the enormous crowd.

Grant Park was transformed for the occasion with white tents and a stage lined with American flags and adorned with red, white and blue bunting. Due to security concerns, the new President spoke to the crowd from behind a wall of thick bulletproof glass surrounding the podium.
As for his his rival, John McCain, Obama praised him for his long years of service and sacrifice to the country, calling him a "brave and selfless leader. "

Earlier in the day, 70,000 guests received coveted tickets to the rally – and up to 1 million people were expected to attend, according to Chicago authorities. At the moment when news organizations declared Obama the next president, the crowd erupted in shrieks and screams of "Wow!" and "My God!" People shook, wept and hugged each other.

"Everyone wants to be part of American history," Mayor Richard Daley said earlier in the day, predicting the enormous crowd.

Grant Park was transformed for the occasion with white tents and a stage lined with American flags and adorned with red, white and blue bunting. Due to security concerns, the new President spoke to the crowd from behind a wall of thick bulletproof glass surrounding the podium.