Jan 13, 2009 10:45 pm US/Central
Civil Rights Activist Invited To D.C. Inauguration
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Prof. Timuel Black and his wife Zenobia were personally invited to the inauguration by Sen. Dick Durbin.
CBS
When Barack Obama is sworn into office one week from today, the world will be watching. CBS 2's Anne State reports that two people who helped advise and support the president-elect will also be there. Chicago historian, activist and Professor Timuel Black says he couldn't miss this moment in history.
Timuel Black says he never thought in his lifetime Americans would elect an African American as president.
"No, I hoped we would, but I didn't think we would," Black said.
"For those of us in my generation, particularly for the generations that follow us, we had hopes and dreams, but the possibilities seemed unlikely."
Prof. Black, who has his own long list of accomplishments and civil rights struggles, just turned 90 years old. He is the grandson of slaves and has made a reputable name for himself in Chicago and across the country.
It was Black in 1963 who helped organize busloads of Chicagoans headed for the march on Washington.
"He carried with him in his personality the dreams of America and the dreams of human beings throughout the world," Black said about Obama.
When Black and his wife Zenobia got the call from Sen. Dick Durbin to be his invited guests to the inauguration, they couldn't believe it.
"My heart is bursting with pride to know somebody who is president, I know the guy on a first name basis," Zenobia Black said.
"So when he contacted her personally, that was another exciting experience in our lives," Black said. "A United States senator that we didn't know contacted two ordinary people?"
Professor Black and Zenobia will receive their tickets with the rest of Sen. Durbin's invited guests Monday in Washington.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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