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Chicagoans React To Obama's Historic Achievement

CHICAGO (CBS) ― Barack Obama's historic presidential bid was the talk of his Hyde Park neighborhood on Wednesday, where his achievement is a source of pride.

In Sen. Obama's South Side neighborhood Tuesday night and Wednesday, many are excited about his presumed nomination. And one respected civil rights leader is thrilled at Obama's place in history.

"I'm just feeling so great about it," said the Rev. Dr. Willie Barrow.

Rev. Barrow has spent most of her life fighting for civil rights. Tuesday night, as Obama looks just weeks away from officially becoming the first African American presidential candidate in a general election, the civil rights pioneer could only smile.

"Everywhere he has gone, he carries a crowd," Barrow said. "He has a vision. He has a vision for the future."

Barrow pointed out that Obama's path was paved by activists before him, like Rev. Jesse Jackson and Rev. Al Sharpton.

At the Valois cafe, in the heart of Obama's Hyde Park neighborhood, the only thing hotter than the heaping plates of food was the political talk of pride.

Gary Worcester said, "I'm very proud of Barack and (his wife) Michele; very proud of our country, because I think it's stepping beyond race."

Rev. Dwayne Mason said, "He had a big mountain to climb, he had a big mountain to climb, but he's overcome every obstacle."

Ira Rogers said, "America's always just been a concept, it's always been in the process of becoming, but with him, there can be a real America."

As a civil rights activist and a Bronzeville resident, 90-year-old author and educator Timuel Black has witnessed that struggle for equality and Obama's emergence.

"It says to the larger world that America can fulfill the promise of equality," Black said. He knew Dr. Martin Luther King and was a key Chicago organizer for the march on Washington, where King gave his "I Have a Dream" speech.

Now, 45 years later to the day, in Denver, Obama will accept the Democratic nomination and Black sees him as the heir to King's dream; two figures with the power to inspire.

"Inspiring young men on the streets of Chicago and New York, that if you just get prepared, the time will come and you'll be ready. Don't give up."

When Barack Obama came to Chicago as a community organizer, he sought the advice of Timuel Black. Black admits he had no idea Obama would reach these heights.

But now, Black says, he believes only race can keep Obama from the White House.

Many living on Chicago's South Side, near Obama's Kenwood home, recognize the significance of Obama's nomination, too, and hope it truly represents change.

"I think it's a great thing, and I think that all of America, white, black, should be proud of this, that there's gonna be a change and maybe he can make it better for everybody," said South Side resident James Harris.

"I really think it's excellent, the fact that we have an African American man going for the presidential seat, I think that's wonderful," said Woodlawn resident Salena Coleman. "I think that speaks volumes about what can be done." 

Along 53rd Street in Hyde Park Wednesday morning, residents emphasized how the nomination had made history.

"It's something I thought I wouldn't see in my lifetime. It shows the full progress of America. He's well-qualified. I think he ran an excellent race; in fact, he set the standard for political campaigns," said Daniel Winston.

"No matter what age you are, he's inspired young people to come out and vote, and feel a sense of pride in their country, so it's a great thing," Winston added. "What he's done is really wonderful."

"He's working for our interests, he's working for the people. John McCain is another George Bush," said Chicagoan Heidi Smith.

They have also known Park Ridge native Hillary Clinton over the years and say she is in a position to help Obama.

"Hillary Clinton is holding power, she got women all over the country," said Henry Smith.

"If the two are able to pull all the votes that they had in the primary… McCain is gone," said Cicero resident John Francis.

"No matter what age, he's inspired young peopel to come out and vote, to feel a sense of pride in their country," said Hyde Park resident Daniel Winston. "What he's done is really wonderful."

"It's just a good, exciting thing," said Marvin Brown, "and I think it will be a blessing for the outcome and future of the kids growing up together and playing together, and being closer together in this country."

Opinion is divided over whether picking Clinton as his running mate would be a good political move for Obama. Brown argued in favor of it.

"I think that Hillary should be on the ballot with him as well, because we need to come together more for the future of the kids," Brown said.

Obama has made his home in the Hyde Park-Kenwood area for more than a decade, serving as an Illinois state senator from 1996 until 2004 and also as a lecturer at the University of Chicago Law School.

But his roots in Chicago go back to the mid-1980s, when he moved to Chicago after college to become a community organizer in the Altgeld Gardens public housing development on the city's Far South Side. He has since only briefly left to attend Harvard Law School.

Many Chicagoans consider Obama a hometown hero and his victory had many people cheering on downtown streets.

"I love Obama," said Marian Yates. "He's definitely going to make a difference. Definitely. So I'm happy about that."

"I think it's great. To see an African American in office I think would be a good thing for us," said Kathy Krinke.

And it's not just Chicagoans who were rooting for him.

"I'm from New Zealand and we're watching it down there every day. It's so exciting," said Marion Schultz. "If Obama's it, he's an incredible man. I think he'll be an incredible leader for this country."

From New Zealand to Oslo, Norway, it seems many tourists visiting Chicago have also been wrapped up in the race.

"I think it's exciting to get a president who has other ideas than George Bush," said Morten Braemdengen.

And even supporters of Sen. Hillary Clinton are taking heart, hoping she may still land on the ticket.

"They started out very separate and I see them coming together and I really think that would be the best combination for this country," said Lester Davis.

It seemed no matter who CBS 2 talked to, everyone was interested in Tuesday's developments.

"I'm a Republican," said Art Mueller. "I won't vote for him, but it's been an interesting race. It's been a lot of fun."

People from all over and from both parties have been glued to this race, regardless of whether they plan to vote for him in November.

From the people who do plan to vote for Obama for president, the key word is "change." His supporters believe he's the only person who can bring much-needed change to this country.

CBS 2's Derrick Blakley, Joanie Lum, Dana Kozlov and Susan Carlson contributed to this report.

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