Reflecting on historic election Civil-rights era veterans in Valley offer insights

By Linda M. Linonis

Katie Snipes, 65, of Youngstown was born in Alabama, moving north at a young age. She remembers then-Alabama Gov. George Wallace standing in the door of a schoolhouse to prevent black students from entering, and images of blacks being attacked by dogs for simply trying to exercise their civil rights.

Snipes said she was the victim of racial prejudice on several occasions as an adult. Those experiences and memories are why she thought she would never see a black man in the White House, but she credits the changing mind-set of young people of all races for proving her wrong.

“Racism exists, and it always will exist, but one thing is that younger people just don’t go for that — and that is what got Obama elected. I am just happy I lived to see this,” she said.

The Rev. Lonnie Simon, pastor emeritus of New Bethel Baptist Church, said he knew Obama would be elected after he saw him announce his candidacy in Springfield, Ill. The Rev. Mr. Simon calls himself a “21st century” prophet.

“I just believed the time was right,” Mr. Simon said, noting he told colleagues about his prediction. “I believe God moves in time and on time. God is using Obama. Certain people carry out God’s will,” said the 83-year-old retired pastor who led New Bethel for 33 years.

Mr. Simon said Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was the one sent “for a wake-up call.” People died and there was segregation, he recalled, and noted that struggles of the civil rights movement in which he participated and marched in Montgomery, Ala., with Dr. King. “Social action is important,” he said. “If you don’t participate in change, nothing will change.”

Mr. Simon noted the senator could not have been elected by black voters alone. The fact he received so much other support is historic.

Mr. Simon’s son, the Rev. Kenneth Simon, current pastor of New Bethel Baptist, said he was thankful that his father was able to witness Obama’s election and noted that he watched his father’s struggles in the civil rights movement. “He’s seen how history has come full circle.”

The younger Simon said, “The election of Barack Obama means change and hope. Those are the two key things.”

“This country has been divided but this shows that the American dream is open to all people. The dream, has been denied for centuries but his election shows that people looked past the color of skin to the content of his character,” Mr. Kenneth Simon said.

He noted that other candidates of color “haven’t been able to connect” with American voters the way Obama did.

“I believe in my heart that God was part of this presidential campaign,” Mr. Kenneth Simon said. “I think God did this for America to bring about the change ... President-elect Obama is the vessel of change. He brings hope and healing to the nation.”

He also addressed the involvement of young people. “It sends a message of hope and opens the door to unlimited possibilities.”

Joy Perry, 77, of Youngstown was smiling about the Obama victory before entering her tai chi session Wednesday. The smiles were for all the younger people of all races who cast a vote. Perry credits those younger voters with making it possible for a black man to enter the White House in her lifetime — something she thought might not happen.

“This will also show that we do have intelligent black families. It is so often the perception that there are not many intelligent blacks and that is just not the case,” she said. “It was something very much needed. If anyone will bring this country together it is Barack Obama.”

Bishop George V. Murry of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown said, “The election of Obama shows substantial progress in the history of the United States. I think it shows that race is less of a defining issue.”

He also noted that it may be an indication that “people are seeing one another as God sees us ... beyond the external ... and on the character of the person.”

He said the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, with its president, Cardinal Francis George, sent a letter Wednesday to Obama congratulating him on his “historic victory.” The letter also said, “Our country is confronting many uncertainties. We pray that you will use the powers of your office to meet them with a special concern to defend the most vulnerable among us and heal the divisions in our country and our world. We stand ready to work with you in defense and support of the life and dignity of every human person.”

Bishop Murry, secretary of the conference, defined the reference to the “most vulnerable” as “the unborn, poor and needy.”

Bishop Murry said he felt the first issue the new president must address is the “quality of life in the country.”

“By that I mean how we as a nation protect, preserve and defend all human life. The economy is a reflection of the quality of life. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan relate to how we value human life,” he said.

The Rev. Gwen Alexander, pastor of Solid Rock Interdenominational Church, said she was trying to keep her feet on the floor. “We the people of this nation ... it was the ‘we’ that made this happen,” the Rev. Mrs. Alexander said. “It shows we as a country can come together.”

“I like how Obama said he needed our help ... we the people will give him input and information,” she said.

“We have overcome ... but it’s not only for the black race but everyone,” she said.

Mrs. Alexander said unemployment and health care were issues she wanted the new president to address.

“This is an epic moment in time,” said Bishop Norman Wagner of Calvary Ministries International. “I think we have moved to the reality of the vision of the Founding Fathers ... the perfect union ... their vision has defeated racism.”

Bishop Wagner said Obama’s first move should be “to set forth a vision for the country. People unite on a vision.” He also said the new president must have a strong staff with the same vision but different thoughts on achieving it. “Then he needs to attack the economy,” he said.

The Rev. Gary Frost is former pastor of Rising Star Baptist Church, current pastor of Evergreen Baptist Church in Brooklyn, N.Y., and director of emerging leadership for New York City Leadership Center. “He’s a great communicator and cool under pressure,” the Rev. Mr. Frost said of Obama. “He has tremendous ability to motivate and mobilize,” noting those qualities should help him govern.

Mr. Frost said Obama’s election is “the highest evidence of progress” in the civil rights movement.