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I try to impress upon my friends who feel bad about Obama's election, how symbolically monumental his presidency is for generations of dispossessed blacks. Growing up in the '50's and '60's it was appalling to see the effects of racism and the white resistance to racial equality. Obama's election goes beyond mere politics and partisanship in America- it is a global phenomenon that shines a beam of light where freedom and hope have been extinguished.I was visiting a friend on the west side of Long Beach, back in 1975. I worked as a custodian at Long Beach Poly, but I was still a little self-conscious as a lone white in the ghetto, when I stopped to get a six pack near the corner of Anaheim and Cherry. A weary old man hanging out front asked me if he could have one of my beers. I couldn't think of a reason to say no, so I gave him one. He was mildly surprised. He handed me a bottle of Black Velvet for a pull and while we drank he said "Young man- don't let the motherfuc