Dreams Do Come True

January 20, 2009 marked a momentous day when Barack Obama was inaugurated as the first black president of the United States of America. A friend of labor, Obama has pledged his support to help advance the rights of working people throughout the country. To help commemorate this historic event, members and officers of the Teamsters Union are sharing their thoughts and perspectives on the day.

Albert R. Mixon, Chairman of the Teamsters National Black Caucus and Secretary-Treasurer of Local 507 in Cleveland, Ohio, had the opportunity to view Obama’s swearing-in ceremony. Standing among 2 million other Americans who were witnessing the same historic event, Mixon said he was overwhelmed with feelings of pride, honor, accomplishment and—above all—unity.

“The whole country has been united and because of that, the excitement that was there was just unbelievable,” Mixon said. “I’m still excited.”

While the day’s events were exhilarating to witness, the significance of Obama’s inauguration will be felt for generations to come. Obama stands not only as a beacon of unity, but hope that once and for all, racial barriers will be destroyed.

“Celebrating the election of the first black president is probably going to be held as the highest achievement in black history,” Mixon said. “It is up there with celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King. The history books will never be the same.”

What made Obama’s inauguration so historic wasn’t just his background, his age or his race; it was all of those things, combined with the will of a people to elect him as their president. Obama didn’t just capture votes from a single demographic. Rather, Americans of every age, race, gender, ethnicity and background voted for him and those same Americans flocked to Washington, D.C. to see their new leader enter the White House. As Mixon put it, on January 20, 2009, our country came full circle.

“On that day, we forgot color barriers and embraced someone who could face the challenges that lay ahead,” Mixon said. “In the end, a country that sees color saw a person of color who has the ability to lead. President Obama is the first African-American to hold the highest office in this country, but it’s pretty obvious that Obama demonstrated he is a president for all the people.”

And from Mixon’s perspective, nothing could be truer. Mixon was able to experience first-hand the kind of hope and unity that Obama gave the nation. As Obama began his inauguration speech, Mixon felt as though bridges were being built and wounds were being healed at home and abroad.

“To see so many people of all walks of life—it was a real pleasure. The recognition of so many different people, with so many different backgrounds who were all coming together for the same thing, really engaged my passion,” Mixon said. “Everyone made a sacrifice to participate in this historic event and because of that—because of Barack Obama—we were unified.”

Now at work in the Oval Office, Obama continues to be a beacon of hope for many, including the working-class Americans who helped put him there. For Mixon, Obama represents hope that once again, working families—many of who are minorities—will have the same advantages as all other Americans.

“The president recognizes that the most important natural resource America has is its people,” he said. “Just as we saw millions of supporters mobilizing for Obama during the campaign, we shall see how his support of working people and the disadvantaged will achieve economic success. I expect to see a new labor movement that gives working people living wages and meaningful benefits.”

It isn’t just working families who Obama’s presidency will positively influence, however. As Mixon pointed out, Obama, and the values for which he stands, will reach beyond labor, beyond the United States and touch all people of the world.

“The election and inauguration of Barack Obama signals to the world that the United States is ready to return to a period of reasoned discourse when facing domestic and global challenges,” Mixon said. “Societal issues, such as employment, education and empowerment, will be confronted by a multi-cultural approach. The new president’s commitment to value all people and their viewpoints is of particular interest to African-Americans and labor.”

Like so many others, Mixon has put his faith in Obama, his cabinet and eagerly anticipates a better, brighter future for all Americans.

“The election of President Obama shows us that anything is possible and it proves that dreams do come true,” Mixon said.