Published: February 04, 2009 08:21 am      

Street Talk for February 02, 2009

“Personally, I don’t think there should be that big of a difference.

Race shouldn’t really play a role in the presidential race. When he was first running, I didn’t judge him on that, so I don’t think it should make it any more important.”

— Alex Price, student, Amenia

“I come from Harlem. What does black history mean to me? History has been made now; a black president is in office.

What is he doing for everyone? Not just one set of people, he is for everybody. That’s what black history means to me. History has been made.”

— Clifford Harrison, laborer, Oneonta

“For African Americans I’d say so, because it’s the first time they’ve had someone in power. You could take all the presidents from over the years and they’re all white. Now they have their chance.”

— Brandon Scutt, unemployed, Walton

“I think it’s important to celebrate what Martin Luther King did. I think this year Black History Month will hold more importance with our new president. I think he will push more for us to celebrate it as a nation, and not just black history, but diversity as a whole.”

— Aubrey Brown, construction

worker, Williamsport, Pa. “There’s a lot of stuff on MTV that celebrates Black History Month. I think President Obama is really diverse and very openminded and I like that about him. I think it’s important to celebrate Black History Month, and this year especially. But I think even if there was a white history month, I wouldn’t care or like it any more or any less.”

— Jessica Wheeler, customer sales representative, Unadilla

“It’s a big stepping stone for black people. It’ll probably be a little bit more important this year because there’s a black president.”

— Brandon Culpepper, student, Oneonta