By Steve Allen

Tuesday, November 4, 2008. This date is now indelibly written into the history books. For the first time in my 53 years on this earth, I, along with everyone else in the world, witnessed a real, monumental change in America. I cried, I smiled, and watched with amazement. On that night, history was made and I now believe, idealistically, that we have now changed our course forever.
Barack Obama, support him or not, like him or not, believe him or not has become the first African American President of these United States of America. Amazing.
As a child of the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s, I was raised in an open-minded family with respect for everyone. A diverse community of wonderful folks from every walk of life always surrounded me. I have many vivid memories of how American ideals and ideas used to be. I fondly remember Going to church in Lansing, MI with a congregation that was racially split, but NOT racially divided. I remember my dad signing in the Earl Nelson Singers. They were a Spiritual Choir that was 80% black and 20% white. I learned a great deal from these folks and will always be grateful. I remember from this experience, having and maintaining friendships without regard to skin color, national origin, or religion. I also have gut-wrenching memories of being called a ?[N-word] Lover? by folks that did not understand my friendships, spirituality, or ideals. I felt badly for them, not for me. I remember watching several of our neighbors in Lansing sell their houses after my family had a picnic whose attendees were of widely diverse races and the neighbors openly worried that ‘the neighborhood was going to hell?. How silly, I thought.
I distinctly remember a Saturday during one 1960’s summer, being at an ‘I’m Proud to Be an American? Day parade in Waterford, and as a child, being horrified that the KKK had a float in that parade. I also remember my family members physically restraining my dad from displaying his outrage toward this shocking sight. I remember them scolding me for attempting to throw rocks at them as well. I was notably shaken by this experience and my dad spent a great deal of time trying to explain it to me in a way that only he could do – calm, concise, caring, and analytical. My dad is a man of real convictions, of fundamental fairness, and taught me from a very young age that ALL people should be assessed one-by-one, with their worth being assessed by what was in their heart and not by any other means. Thanks dad for teaching me what is REALLY important. I owe you an eternal debt of gratitude.
I remember touring the state in the early 70’s as a rock musician with an African (Nigerian) road manager and being greeted in small-town Michigan with comments like ‘We don’t like [N-words] here? or ‘Is he your slave?. I always greeted ignorance with a knowing smile to those that spewed racial venom. It was my way of letting them know that I knew of their narrow-mindedness and heartfelt sorrow for their lack of knowledge.
I remember being horrified at seeing the KKK in shopping malls and on street corners in North Carolina in 1985 ? 86. I thought to myself as they happily handed out the literature of hate and ignorance, ‘Have we made no progress?? With history repeating itself, I also remember my wife restraining me from showing my outrage, much as my dad had done years ago.
I remember being threatened with a ‘cross-burning? in my lawn by my neighbors in my Charlotte, NC subdivision because I DARED have an African-American friend and to allow them into my home.
Yes my friends, we have witnessed something that many have only dreamed of. In a relatively short period of time, we are beginning to see a societal shift to inclusion. This is the beginning ? a defining moment, but not the end. We have much to do and to learn. All that I ask is that we continue to erase the self-imposed barriers and vow to work together as one voice to again make America the place that the rest of the world looks to for guidance and with awe.

Steve Allen is an Oxford Village resident.