Barack Obama

Michelle and Barack Obama

President-elect Barack Obama
An American Legacy
by
Forest Hairston

President-elect Barack Obama, a Black man born with his face against Africa. And here with love amidst his American legacy, he began an awesome journey that has touched upon his destiny, and gently touched upon the will of God.

Here he was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, August 4, 1961. And so, this young Barack Obama has traveled far through a world where nearly all the doors were closed. Hardly anyone could see even a sliver of daylight, beyond the closed door. Still, some of our old guys who were standing there shivering against the cold icy world, was James Forten, Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King, Thurgood Marshall, along with other legendary men such as Jesse Louis Jackson. Here through the long cold years that defied a Black man's dignity, you could feel Obama's wife, Michelle, and all the other great women standing beside their guys, shedding tears as well.

Suddenly here across the longest day, across the sand, across the flowing sea, a glinting light silently ebbs amidst this new dawn. America! America! People across the world will see the glinting light ebbing here so free. Young Barack Obama has lit a star. Here at the dawn, all the people shall rejoice in peace. American people! Equality among all! Suddenly, we can see way far beyond, the old staid Democrat, the old staid Republican. Barack Obama, he has lit a star! Behold! Lay down your weapon. There will be no war! We'll share the food and share the oil. We'll share our love, share our God above. One song to sing, one stanza to share amongst all. We'll light the world with a song. The old slaves, they will sing again. . . . Hallelujah! Hallelujah y'all! We are standing here free. We are standing here alongside Michelle and Barack Obama . . . young Barack has lit a star!

Black History

Black Legacy

Song: Planet Earth

Composer:
Forest Hairston