So it's been quite a surreal day today, eh? It keeps striking me as strange that 10 years ago I first met Obama while I was at WBEZ and he looked like a kid running against, and ultimately losing badly to Bobby Rush.
Forward a few years later and I would end up meeting the now President on many an occasion as he was a frequent guest on Chicago Tonight were I worked. I will always have a few memories that will stand out. He and I alone walking to the studio when he turns and asks me what my plans were for the upcoming Thanksgiving. I said my in-laws. He asked if that was a good thing or bad. Well I must have paused too long. He caught it and gave me a slight ribbing about it.
The other was when he was running late, because he had to drive himself (no fancy limos then) the debate. I say hello quickly grab him and we both run to the studio me leading him.
The final was just after the senate win. It was a funny moment when he was lingering talking to the crew and Michelle does what only a wife sternly calls out “Barack!” and instantly gets his attention that they need to be going.
All this only adds to the strange feeling of the day. I’m very happy and hope that President Obama can clean up the mess left by his predecessor. It will be a large task.
I still can’t believe that a black man has been elected to the nation’s highest office in my life time, amazing! I also know that this does not suddenly end racism. We still need to fight against that as well as all other forms of prejudice.
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