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Toni Speaks...

While surfing one day, I decided to check up on one of my favorite authors, Ms. Toni Morrison... and my googling lead me to a very interesting site.

On the page was a letter, written by Ms. Morrison back in January 2008. It was a letter to Senator Barak Obama. She was endorsing his candidacy for the presidency of the United States.

In endorsing him, she gave honor and showed admiration for Senator Clinton:


"I have admired Senator Clinton for years. Her knowledge always seemed to me exhaustive; her negotiation of politics expert. However I am more compelled by the quality of mind (as far as I can measure it) of a candidate. I cared little for her gender as a source of my admiration, and the little I did care was based on the fact that no liberal woman has ever ruled in America. Only conservative or "new-centrist" ones are allowed into that realm."


and she was clear on her color blindness in making her decision:

"Nor do I care very much for your race[s]. I would not support you if that was all you had to offer or because it might make me "proud."


She spoke of his creativity, wisdom and courage. She spoke of how ambition was the least of these with him. She consider when we last had a leader so vibrant.
When, I wondered, was the last time this country was guided by such a leader? Someone whose moral center was un-embargoed? Someone with courage instead of mere ambition? Someone who truly thinks of his country's citizens as "we," not "they"? Someone who understands what it will take to help America realize the virtues it fancies about itself, what it desperately needs to become in the world?


Her words are hopeful, excited even, at the possibilities that can come from having this man as the leader of our nation. I tend to agree with her. This is an exciting time. This will be a revealing experience. I'm glad I'm here to witness it.

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