End of an Era?

" I stand here today what gives me the greatest hope football. Is not the stone and marble that surrounds us. But wolf what fills the spaces in between. It is you. Americans of every race and region and station. Who came here because you believe in what this country can be and because you want to help us get back."

" Rob Obama earlier today at the Lincoln Memorial and in the unresolved problem segment tonight. In less than 48 hours mr. Obama will be sworn in as the 44 president the United States in the country's first African American president. So will this be the end of all the divisive racial politics joining us now from Washington Reverend Al Sharpton president of the national action network. First well. Did you ever think to you going to see this day."

" Well you know I think I believed it would happen I don't know if I believed I would live to see it. But you know I grew out active in the eighty's and ninety's though I was only acute in the sixties. So unlike a lot of people that were involved in civil rights. I grew up -- blacks being elected mayor and a watch dog while the elected government so I believe that we would have a black president I didn't know win. But I did believe it would happen and I think all of those fought. Determined to see that and although openings that seemed to be beyond our reach happen and we've -- to see this and we. Hope to fight goes the other things --"

" For older African Americans I've talked to some of them very very emotional about it you know. And and how to do it in politics either and have do a Democrat and Republicans to do with them and their lives in the United States and there. Father and mother we talk about people 7080 years old who remembers progress. And there's just so emotional and so happy and I'm so I'm happy to see them so. I'm a study to see them that have been an."

" I think there are differences -- reactions for generations the older generation who was set on the back of the bus and drug out of colored water fountains this is an unbelievable moment I think my generation which is basically Obama's terrorism about 67 years old live. We are as excited but for different reasons and and a generation of my children for different reasons. I think all of us are excited but I think we look at sides are different vantage point right. Right now lastly -- believe you that what President Bush had happened and what was that like. Well I went to will be No Child Left Behind conference in Philadelphia where he gave his last policy speech. Jill Condit says those schools in New York and I started a national initiative around closing the achievement gap. Well one of things that we're concerned about is two day. All 54 years after brown versus the board of education achievement gap of black students to white students about the same. And -- No Child Left Behind began addressing the achievement I don't agree -- all of it. I don't think a lot of it was fulfilled but I think he began the conversation in the right direction. I went I was invited to be part of a private roundtable with the president and -- I don't agree on anything. But we did agree to a dialogue around education reform I was surprised when. He mentioned -- in his formal address. And even tomorrow Bob king the third and a -- Washington it. Many democratic mayors joining us and -- you know where he lost -- of the king day. We've extended an invitation to some conservatives us a little McCain and others who came last yet this year they could -- where they won't be accused of reasonable -- will."

" What happens you agree with want to talk about education you agree I would bush on more than. You know that's not true I mean bush did more to help Africans. With disease and aids and any other human beings have a live self. I think he did a lot would not needed now more -- but I need I disagree with a lot of this policy -- if you don't have to agree to talk Nall but I think that you and other African American leaders should give the president credit for what he's done for Africans. And African Americans I think he should it. Just my opinion Australia what do you -- what an area you can feel free to do as well it is as did -- job most of my opinions so you get you know every day I will give credit wolf but I think the overwhelming majorities he probably does -- that's certainly disagree -- I think you guys should really. Think about the big picture there I think he -- a lot of good for people of color. -- Barack Obama did not played to racial politics is you know we've discussed that with you here on the factor. Is that god now the Davis of racial politics thing now that he's president."

" Well I think I think dead Barack Obama. Certainly made a focus of inclusion but I also think he went out of his way whose split. Those who start civil rights organizations as that they have to continue to fight he went to their ACP convention. He came out convincing NASA action network I think a lot of media is all will play he's not a civil rights leader he is a president I was the seventh. In motor boat while it but he was never civil rights guy he was always got it was always in the fabric of a new models right. Amid almost bright -- as an eagle both black governors I think people it's gotten a bit something unusual that is that there's always been different people -- different -- and what I'm trying to bridge the role of of the politicians what I don't know the answer to this question is Isaac got to tamp it down. You got to town down a racial politics because that doesn't do anybody any good does it I think that if this will lead to bat and show up continued tolerance of people. That's the aims of the movement anyway but I think we've got to solve -- on the -- by closing the education gap economic get one thing that disturbs us is right after the election. We see what happened in Oakland so whether it will calm things down or not we'll see if you're only looking wild fluctuation that. You know you're always of the matter is we have been -- things don't come down bill we've got to solve the -- accomplish anything that happened in Oakland I don't know if that was a racial thing other than an incompetence thing you see that's what I'm get but the reaction is bad because the -- You'll have grievance politics as long as the agreements so all right. Reverend Sharpton every time we have a mind. I don't know what to say every time we have you want people know you're on their gal everybody know you're -- it's always good -- you have me at all of how big debate coming up he."