African Americans Celebrate Obama's Victory

Obama Makes History with Win

Many thought they would never see this day
 
Now a small business owner living in Hartford, Luvenia Holiday grew up in North Carolina in the 1960's.
 
"I remember vaguely there was a water fountain. One said Color. One said White. I asked my mother -- I never knew water was white," Holiday said.
 
Back then, she said, how you lived was literally black and white, even when it came to just going to a restaurant for something to eat.
 
"I had to go to the back of the place because they did not serve black people at that time at the front window," Holiday said. "We had to form our line in the back and I couldn't understand it being a young girl. I was asking my mother why."
 
A half century later, Holiday is one of many celebrating the country's first African American president-elect.
 
"We struggled a long time. I think we deserve it and it was a blessing," said Holiday.
 
President-elect Obama is reminding many people of another African American leader who changed America.
 
"I just wish that my parents are alive so they could see what Martin Luther King, Jr. had suffered to bring forth for us, " said Janice Baisden of Hartford.
 
A wreath was laid at Martin Luther King Jr.'s grave site to honor his work in paving the way to Obama's win.
Celebrations erupted across the country, as African Americans watched history unfold with Obama's victory speech.
 
"I was just bubbling inside knowing we were going to have our first black president," said Mark Woodson of Hartford.
 
"I was feeling beautiful because I was seeing something come to pass that had been a long time coming. It's about time for change to come," Baisden said.

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