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Sheryl and Donovan Sinclair - It's time for change

In 1963 American civil rights movement leader Martin Luther King delivered his famous 'I have a dream' speech, predicting a day when a black man would sit down together with a white man and equality for all would become a reality in America.

President Barack Obama

America saw that dream come true when Barack Obama became the first elected black president. For many black people not only in America but all over the world this is a poignant time in black history.

A momentous occasion

Birmingham lecturer and theologian Dr Robert Beckford was amongst the many people who stayed up until the early hours of the morning to watch the momentous occasion on television. He hopes that Britain will follow suit and take a leaf out of America’s book.

Dr Robert Beckford

“It was incredibly moving for me for several reasons, one because it was the fulfillment of Martin Luther Kings dream - the whole idea that a person would be judged on the content of their character and not the colour of their skin and that has been incredibly powerful.

"What also amazed me was the support that he received right across the board from a diverse range of communities, especially college educated white people. That says a lot about a generation that have been through university and been exposed to African American literature and black studies.

"It shows that if you have an inclusive education you build in a more inclusive society - so that was incredibly exciting for me as an educator.�

Good News

We think it’s so wonderful...

Birmingham’s black community joined in a worldwide reflection on what this historic event means to them and future black generations. Take a look at some of the comments made by black people in Birmingham's city centre:

"It’s one of the greatest things I’ve ever seen in history; 40 years ago in 1963 if you said a black person would be president you would have been shot. It’s the best thing I’ve ever seen. I sat up all night and watched it on television.

Eric Johnson - "It's the greatest thing"

"With Lewis Hamilton also becoming the world champion everything is happening this week – it’s exciting. Anything that one man can achieve a next one can achieve." – Eric Johnson, Moseley

It makes me feel so proud

“It’s really hard to describe, it’s just something that I thought I wouldn’t see in my lifetime, it gives me a spring in my step and makes me feel proud. I think that it’s something that now joinsÌý black people around the world together in pride. Also America has paused for a moment and showed that it isn’t about the colour of your skin it’s about the content of your heart.

Ranelia and Rashana, from Moseley

"I take my hats off to them - I didn’t think they could do it, but they’ve gone pass the colour. In that job it doesn’t matter what colour you are, it’s a hard job and you just have to have the best person who can do it." – Jacky Francis�

"It’s the best thing that has happen to us. Up until Martin Luther King was around black people were being victimised by the white southerners. This is their time now and God has just blessed them. Martin Luther King said ‘I have a dream where everyone of all colours will come together’ - all people have to do now is come together and rally around Obama." - Ranelia and Rashana, from Moseley.

Leicester Donald, Winson Green

It's time to look foward

"It’s wonderful to see a black US president. It’s a good thing not only for black people but for everyone. Obama is a good thing." - Leicester Donald, Winson Green

"I knew Obama would win because it’s about time for a change. Also for black people it shows that they can get somewhere and not stay stuck in the slavery cycle that we’ve carried on our shoulders for over 100 hundred years.

"I can’t tell you how happy I am. I stayed up until 3am watching the elections. It will hopefully make people look forward instead of keep looking backward and hopefully this will show that we can achieve anything.

Justin - "I feel good"

"A black US president! We can achieve anything now!! And he speaks truth from the heart - not only black people saw that, white people saw that too." – Sheryl and Donovan Sinclair, Erdington

The greatest thing I've ever seen

"I feel good because it’s the first black president that has ever won a US election. I think it will mean more changes in the world. It means a lot to black people because Martin Luther King said ‘I have a dream that one day a black man and a white man will sit down together’ and his dream came true.’ Respect, one love, one God." - Justin and Oustin from Aston.

"I think there is more to this than what people can see. I see a black man that has been put there by an institution and will be made to play the puppet on a string.

"It's not just about race"

It’s a concern that some people may have just voted for him because he’s a person of colour and not for his credentials. Let’s wait and see. It is a good thing, but it depends on what’s behind it." – Ryan from Bearwood and Leroy, from Smethwick

It's not just about race

"I think it’s good that he won but I think it’s bad that everyone is just saying black president, instead of saying president Obama. If he was a white man it wouldn’t have mattered, but because he’s black there are making it into a big issue and it really isn’t.

"Also all the black people are getting really happy because they have a black president but they don’t even know anything about the guy or what he’s going to do. They’ve all voted for him because he’s black. I think it’s good that he won but people need to realise that he’s just another man and it’s not just about race." - Chanel from Winson green, Chanel from Quinton, Rochelle from Quinton

Keith - "I'm happy for Obama"

"It’s great! Just to know that a black man can get that far in a white dominated country. I’m overjoyed and really, really happy knowing that it’s good for black people." - Michelle and Sonia from Dudley

Obama has changed the world

"I’m happy for Obama and it will be good for people in the community to come together, white, Indian, black – and it’s good for black people because of what they’ve been through. I hope he does really well. But he has to remember that he has to help everyone in America and all over the world." - Keith

"It’s a wonderful thing. I didn’t think I would live to see this in my lifetime - a black man as president. I hope this is a good thing not only for the black community but for the whole of America." – Lloyd

Cyril Williams - "It's exciting"

"It’s exciting! Unbelievable! There are changes and more changes yet to come. I believe that Obama has changed the world. As individuals we all should unite as one no matter the race, ethnicity or colour. We are one!!!" – Cyril Williams

A historical moment for black people

"It’s most definitely an historical moment for black people, he’s worked very hard and he’s the man. People should now look at this and think you can go as far as you want to, he’s an inspiration especially for the young people." – Nola

"It might not mean as much to people over here in the UK but in America he’s a hero. Martin Luther King predicted that black people would be able to stand up at a certain level at some point in time which is obviously now and Obama is the one. It’s not only effecting America but people all over the world." - Pedro from Hockley.

Pedro - "It's a historical time"

We can achieve anything

"I think it’s all good because at the end of the day it’s presenting America in a different light and black people finally represented in a good light. I wish America all the best with it.

"Stigmas will be alleviated and people will now think they can achieve. It may change things for us in the UK also in regards to how we are looked at and how we are regarded as part of this country.

"For America, one of the most racist countries in the world, to embrace a black man you must know that they need him." -Jacqueline and Natasha Great Barr

What are your thoughts on Barack Obama winning the US elections? What does the win mean for the black community? Add your comments below...