This Man Is God-sent, Says 83-Year-Old Civil Rights Vet
Word From the Wise
New America Media, Commentary, Betty Shavers, as told to Teresa Moore, Posted: Jan 19, 2009
Editor's Note: As a black woman who lived through the civil rights struggle in Danville, Va. -- a former tobacco and cotton town best known as the “Last Capitol of the Confederacy” -- Betty Shavers never imagined she’d see an African American be elected president of the United States. Danville, which is located on the North Carolina border, in the reddest part of the state, had a 72 percent voter turnout; 59 percent of those voters supported Barack Obama. The city has a 45.6 percent black population. She shared her thoughts on the election and the coming inauguration with her niece, New American Media contributor Teresa Moore. Word From the Wise is a regular column of elder perspectives from the New America Media ethnic elder news beat.
Lord have mercy. I’m 83 years old. I never thought that I would ever see a black president in my lifetime.
I thought I was going to wear out my television (on Election Night) because it was on all night. That was a great day in this world. I’ve never seen Virginia go for someone who would do right by black people. My grandson called and asked what is up with Virginia? Everybody got their votes in.
This is the best thing that’s ever happened to black folks. I’m not saying that he’s just a president for black people but I never thought I’d see this happen. Slaves built up that White House and a black president has never lived there. And a growing family will be living there. I just pray for God to keep them and protect them. I think it’s wonderful that Michelle’s mother is moving in with them. She’s going to keep the grand kids in line. I just cannot wait to see them little black girls running around in that White House and on that lawn. They are going to be all over the place. And you know the Secret Service is going to have a time keeping track of them, especially that little one. She’s going to be everywhere.
There are things you dream about and you hope one day they might happen, you can see how they could happen. This is something I never even dreamed about. To know this is happening in my lifetime, I can hardly wait. If I could just touch the hem of Obama’s garment, I’d be satisfied.
I was a cafeteria manager for 44 years and eight months. I remember when people were fighting segregation in Danville. That was something. Jim, my late husband, didn’t miss a meeting for how they were going to act when they went downtown for civil rights protests. I would be too afraid. They were singing and praying on the courthouse steps and they shot water at them. The police would hit the people with those big sticks. People would end up in the hospital. It was just awful.
Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke at High Street Baptist Church and he didn’t even want to spend the night in Danville.
I did not see all of this because I was afraid to go down there. I would cook food for Jim to take to the meetings and I sent money for the ladies to get their hair fixed after they turned the hoses on them.
I know it wasn’t just black people that put Obama there. There were some white people who put him there. That’s just mind-blowing.
Can’t nobody tell me this man is not God-sent. The things they have thrown at him. They have said everything under the sun about him and he remains so cool. You just don’t find folks like that now.
I can’t wait for the inauguration. If I was younger, I’d have myself an inauguration party. I have a friend. She’s 85. I’ve never known her to be up in the air excited about anything. We are up until 2 and 3 in the morning talking about Obama.
I got an Obama calendar and a friend brought me an Obama plate. I want an Obama mug. When you walk into my living room, that’s who you’re looking at – Obama – honey child.
I’m going to be ready for Tuesday morning. I’m going to make me a pot of soup Friday. I’m going to fix me some sandwiches and some dip and some crackers. I’m going to put my green tea in a cooler and bring it in here. I’m going to have everything I need in here by my bedside table so I don’t have to get up for anything. I’m going to be in my comfortable chair where I can just sit and look and not miss a thing. I do not want to miss a minute of this.
Related Articles:
Why the 'Senior Voting Bloc' is a Myth
Cornerstones of the Family
Labor of Love Can be Financially Draining
Our Man Obama -- The Post-Imperial Presidency
Page
1 of 1
|
User Comments
Michael Ferguson on Feb 03, 2009 at 19:24:32 said:
I too am a Danville native and the 85 year old friend that Ms Betty spoke of is my mother, Thelma. On election night, I was so proud of the state of Virginia when it was announced that it had gone to Obama. The next announcement projected Obama the winner. Thanks for interviewing a very important person in my life.
david silver on Jan 22, 2009 at 08:57:53 said:
a beautiful story and perspective - thank you.
Beverley Talbott on Jan 19, 2009 at 11:23:20 said:
As a Danville, Va., native, I was happy and inspired to read this story. Times do change!
Fannie Turner on Jan 19, 2009 at 08:56:28 said:
It was a pleasure to read the comments of Mrs. Shavers. My mother has Alzheimer's Disease and is uable to comment but I wonder what she would say, but I think my mom would be right with her watching every report. Let's embrace the feelings of our elders as this is a memorable moment in history.
-->