There are few words in history that will resonate with only a select minority. Like, Obama’s start of his speech on the night of the election, “At this defining moment, change has come to America,” Obama announced.
It's the kind of change South Carolina native Bernice Tinsley didn't think could happen, “I know God answered my prayers, and I feel good about it.”
She voted for Obama, but she didn't pray for him to win, “No, I said the best man. I didn't care if it were McCain or it was Obama.”
Like many in the state, the 87-seven-year old grew up a second class citizen during the civil rights era. She recalls she was unable to ride at the front of the bus or dine in restaurants, “White people go in the front, the blacks people had to go in the back.”
After the networks announced Obama's win, South Carolina African Americans reacted to the end of an emotional election with tears and cheers at the state’s Democratic watch party in Columbia.
Tinsley rejoiced from her couch, “Oh honey, I was clapping, I said thank you Jesus, thank you Lord.”
She knows not everyone is happy with the outcome, but she hopes everyone can recognize change is here, “That's history, that is history. I thought I never would be able to see that day.”
Tinsley hopes those who disapprove of Obama will give him a chance, and judge him on his merits, not his skin color.
Vote Did the election go the way you wanted it to go? in Amy Wood's blog
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