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Election Yields New Hero For Youth

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By DONNA KOEHN

dkoehn@tampatrib.com

Published: November 9, 2008

Updated: 11/09/2008 12:14 am

TAMPA - He'll lower gas prices, bring a favorite cousin home from Iraq, make racism go away and unite the whole world.

Little people have big hopes for Barack Obama, their new hero.

At after-school programs, in civics classes and around the dinner table, parents, teachers and mentors long have told children of color they could do anything they put their minds to.

Even if, deep down, they believed the presidency was beyond their grasp.

Now, as the elders wrap their own heads around the idea that the dream has been realized sooner rather than later, they know the conversations with young people are more important - and more complicated - than ever.

Yes, Obama has broken the final barrier, and by virtue of his heritage will bring hope and excitement to children and teenagers. And even though most adults wish his election would forever untangle the knotty issue of racism, they know the process is ongoing. So we tell our children progress has been made.

Now comes the time to discuss how it happened, what it means, and what youngsters can do to keep the momentum going in their own lives.

"African-American adolescent males in particular now have a role model who looks like them, and that's very powerful," said Brenda Townsend Walker, a professor in the University of South Florida's department of special education who specializes in teaching strategies for urban youth.

"It's such a needed conversation, but it is a complex one."

Getting A Grasp Of History

Shelton Jones, director of the Joe & Anne Garcia Salesian Unit of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay, realized months ago that history was in the making and wanted his young charges to grasp that.

"The ones in elementary school - they didn't know nothing," he said with a laugh. "They didn't know who is president now."

To inspire the children, he showed them the Denzel Washington movie "The Great Debaters," based on a true story about students from a black college who became national debating champions.

The children took the cue and began facing off on a number of topics, including the election. On Friday, they answered detailed, thought-provoking questions ranging from their opinions of Sarah Palin to their feelings about having the first biracial president to how Obama might work with other countries.

Facilitated by one staff member who supported John McCain and one who voted for Obama, the students freely expressed their feelings.

"I think Obama really represents America," said Cristina Matos, 13. "There's diversity now in America."

Sasha Alvarez, 13, has hope for world peace.

"I think people in Iraq want to get along with America again," she said. "I think it's an advantage that Obama is a different race."

Chizu Egwuatu, 12, was not surprised Obama won.

"Not many white people are racist anymore," he said.

A few miles away, at the H.O.P.E. Community Center after-school program near Middleton High School, coordinator and mentor Fred Hearns explained to children that Obama wouldn't have won without the support of many white people.

"People all over the world celebrated," Hearns said. "Some were so happy they cried."

'Stakes Are So Much Higher'

Walker said it is important that Obama's mixed heritage be embraced and discussed, as well.

"We must acknowledge his whiteness," she said. "We can't totally disaffirm it. I've spent a lot of time researching biracial students, and how when they go to school, they must leave one part of themselves at the door. There is only one blank to check."

Children also need to be aware that Obama, like all presidents, will take some hits.

"The stakes are so much higher for him," Walker said. "Historically, when a person of color is in a leadership position and they mess up, people say 'I told you so.'"

With a white person, it's considered an individual flaw, she said, not evidence of a racial trait.

Walker also hopes people who work with children will help them see that Obama is a role model because of his character, not strictly because of the color of his skin.

"When you read about him, you learn that school was so very important to him, and that whatever he did, he did his best. So often African-American males feel apathy and that they can't really change anything, that everything is externally controlled.

"We have a chance to teach them that they do have that ability."

Andre Jones, 16, a junior member of the Boys & Girls Club staff, says Obama is his role model.

"He is a well-educated man who makes me want to try harder to succeed and excel," he said. "Celebrities and athletes will not get you that. He makes me want to get a good education and carry myself as the man I am becoming."

Reporter Donna Koehn can be reached at (813) 259-8264.

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