What Does Barack’s Election Mean to Me?

On 11/4/08, we as a nation, we as Black People, witnessed an incredible change in American History. We , as Black People and people of color will now embark on a journey of spiritual, political, social, economic and educational change.

This election is about my grand-father, who moved from South Carolina in the late 1900’s, opened up a barber shop in Harlem. He had to support 16 siblings while working 18 hours a day, six days a week. He had a third grade education and my mother, from the age of seven, was his accountant.

This election is about Allen Hunt, who served in Viet Nam, raised his family with his wife and his children have served our country in the military through the 1980’s. He served in the Marines as a Sergeant-Major, E-9. His commitment to service and unyielding participation in civil rights were paramount in providing hope and vision for African-Americans in the South during the 1960’ s & 1970’ s.

This election is about my father, John Pollins. He was born during the Depression in 1932 in Perry, Florida. He was raised in various foster-care homes in the 1930’s & 1940’s; he moved to Harlem, New York in the late 1940’s and served our country in the U.S. Army as Sergeant Major in the Korean War in the 369th Infantry Unit. He joined the New York City Department in 1961, became a Narcotics Officer in 1966. He was killed by two drug dealers in Harlem in the Line of Duty in March 1967.

This election is about my mother, Tanyia Pollins, who was born in the Bronx, NY, 1935, during the Depression. She helped my grandfather with his barber shop finances and completed her education at Central Commercial High School in the 1950’s. She lost her husband in 1967 and had to raise me during the turbulent era of 1970’s in the South Bronx. She sacrificed her life so that I had the opportunity to attend college, complete and receive my Bachelor’ s Degree in Sociology/ Criminal Justice @ Springfield College, Mass. in 1981. Thank you, Ma and I love you for all of your sacrifices for me to succeed.

Barack Obama’s election brings hope, a new vision and a new commitment to the human spirit. I don’t want to forget those individuals whogave their lives so that we could live to see Change. Please pay your respects to our elders who endure challenges while waiting for Barack to change our lives. LET’S KEEP IT REAL !