Locals discuss historical importance of Obama's presidential win

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By EVAN WHITE

Story Created: Nov 5, 2008 at 1:10 PM EDT

Story Updated: Nov 5, 2008 at 1:53 PM EDT

UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - Utica's NAACP president Roy Duhart says the election of Barack Obama as President is a huge lift in the advancement of African Americans.

"The first African American president means we have someone in office who relates to our experience," Duhart said. "He's like us, he's went through the experience so black and poor now have a sounding board if nothing else."

Duhart says state and national NAACP branches consider Obama's win a major step toward equality and advancement for blacks and poor.

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Thursday, Nov 6 at 4:14 PM He's white wrote ...

You don't see any white people out dancing in the street because Barack's mom is white...white people are not the racists it is the blacks who are currently the biggest racists of them all

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Thursday, Nov 6 at 1:28 PM anonymous wrote ...

why are black people so excited about the new black prez? are they expecting to get special treatment? if that's the case they're in for a surprise..it's all politics..always has been always will be no matter what color our president is...

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Thursday, Nov 6 at 10:04 AM get jobs wrote ...

Duhart is a moron. plain and simple. obama is just as white as he is black. this goes to show that anyone can be elected. by him becoming prez it is not going to make tyron on james st get a job and stop selling crack. if you listened to this man, he clearly stated that the people need to be held accountable for thier actions. and its all about education. i hope this wakes up whites and blacks who are wasting our time, and resources. get jobs and stop shooting each other.

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Thursday, Nov 6 at 8:23 AM Can't wait wrote ...

Can't wait to remind all you liberal leftwingers when this guy puts this country in a bigger spiral then commandant bush did. We need a new party--- the PEOPLE"S PARTY not these self indulgent morons. Change??? Just wait!!! Maybe another 20% increase in out taxes!!

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Wednesday, Nov 5 at 11:16 PM groomer wrote ...

You cannot help the poor by Destroying the rich. You cannot strengthen the weak by Weakening the strong. You cannot bring about prosperity by Discouraging thrift You cannot lift the wage earner up by Pulling the wage payer down. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by Inciting class hatred. You cannot build character and courage by Taking away men’s initiative and independence. You can not help men permanently byDoing for them what they could and should do for themselves. Abraham Lincoln

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Wednesday, Nov 5 at 9:03 PM Girard A. Plante wrote ...

President-elect Barrack Obama's historic victory is the culmination of "the dream" that Dr. Martin Luther King spoke about, fought for and prayed would someday be realized. Obama will be a great leader. Utica's black community can sing the praises of a bright beginning envisioned by black leaders in Utica who went before them: Rev. Franklin Upthegrove; Dr. David Brown; James Blackshear, and others. King's prophetic words the night before his death resonate today: "I've seen the Promised Land."

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Wednesday, Nov 5 at 6:00 PM Caruso wrote ...

Hmmm, isn't his mother white? That would not make him black. Thats all you seem to hear about on T.V. Who cares if they are celebrating in Kenya and Spain I wanna hear what he plans to do for us.

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Wednesday, Nov 5 at 3:14 PM YTMND wrote ...

I'm waiting for someone who relates to my experience to be elected. Until then people with my condition will still feel like outcasts. However, I don't think we'll be electing a schizophrenic anytime soon. Ahhhhh it is my weakness to bear.

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Wednesday, Nov 5 at 2:22 PM Michael wrote ...

What I dont understand is this, we dont want race to be a factor but so many votes have been casted simply because Obama has an african american father. I think some people are going to be very disappointed when Obama treats all people equal. Obama may have a african american father BUT he worked HARD to get where he is. His ancestors suffered too and look where hard work has gotten him.

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