UCSF Faculty, Staff React to Obama's History-Making Victory

A day after Barack Obama became the country’s first African American president, members of the UCSF community reacted to the historic moment. Obama himself reflected on what this election meant for millions who witnessed a sea change in the struggle for civil rights and equal opportunity. “This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations," Obama told the huge crowd of supporters in Chicago on Tuesday night. "But one that's on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing -- Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old. "She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons -- because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin. "And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America -- the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can." Reaction to the news that Obama would become the 44th president of the United States prompted dancing in the streets, neighborhood parties and fireworks. The days ahead will allow for quiet reflection. Here are some of the thoughts of UCSF faculty and staff in their own words.

Michael B. Adams, director, UCSF Office of Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity and Diversity

“I was up all night watching, and talking to friends and family around the world. I am glad we were thinking about each other. “To see the demographics of the voters who elected [Obama] is to see the community organizer’s dream come true. This is a shared victory among the most diverse constituency imaginable, coming together around shared values. I believe that our culture will continue to grow in the celebration of diversity and sharing of opportunity in meaningful ways. “President Obama will not face (in the words of George Bush) the “soft bigotry of low expectations.” To the contrary, he will be tested with high expectations from all of us, precisely because of the brilliance of his inclusive, people-centered campaign, preceded by a level of perseverance throughout his life that has conditioned him for high achievement. He represents a promise of the final chapter in our great Civil War, and an upgraded membership in a civilized and progressive world community. He will experience the irony of living in the White House, much of which was originally built by slave labor. “On a very personal level, I feel unable to celebrate, given the history in our country. The joy is competing with a foreboding concern for him and his family (and us). So for me, right now, it is one cautious day at a time with restrained pride and measured hope. January 20th is a long time away, and I plan to celebrate when he is actually sworn in, should nothing prevent that from taking place.”

Bobby Baron, MD, associate dean, UCSF School of Medicine; chair, Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Academic Diversity

“This is an amazing achievement for all of us who care so much about issues of diversity, health disparities, peace and social justice. Now the hard work begins!”

Alma Sisco-Smith, director, UCSF Work~Life Resource Center

“The first way that I was touched [by Obama’s victory] was by the memory of my parents. The states where they were born, Delaware and Virginia – once strong Jim Crow states – opened their arms to vote for Barack Obama. I visited my grandparents and relatives in those states as a little girl, and noticed the different treatment of my relatives, me, and other black adults and children compared to our treatment in Boston, where my family had moved. “My parents could not perceive such a victory ever occurring in their lifetime. Yet they and many others taught us to excel at whatever we wanted to do, to set our heights high, not to fear failure and to treat all people as we wanted to be treated. “At the moment of victory, I and a handful of African American friends were standing amidst a large crowd of young Caucasians, many first-time voters who roared with delight and emotion as Obama accepted McCain’s concession and his election to the presidency. And it could not have been clearer that we had elected a gifted man of principle, intellect, courage and compassion who happened also to be black. “One of the journalists present later asked, ‘Did race matter?’ Of course it did, and in many different ways and on different levels. But race was not a barrier to the ascension to the highest office of government in the United States. “That, after all, is what was stated in the founding language of our Constitution and what we must continue to seek and expect: equality.”

Shane Snowdon, director, UCSF LGBT Resource Center

“The pundits are saying that the state of the economy heavily contributed to Barack Obama’s election, and I know that’s true. “But I do think that, for millions of us, his candidacy was also a historic opportunity to show how seriously we take the wounds that bias has inflicted, and how much we want to heal them. As far as we still have to go as a nation, I feel moved and inspired that so many people voted for him, at least in part, to take a stand for fairness, unity, equality and understanding. “I was also touched by how many Californians did the same thing in voting against Proposition 8, which eliminates the civil right of marriage for same-sex couples. But it looks like even more Californians voted to withdraw this right from us – a reminder that while minds and hearts can change profoundly, as the presidential vote shows, the struggle for equality in our country is far from over. “Election 2008 renewed both my faith and my resolve.”

Daniel Lowenstein, MD, professor in residence, UCSF Department of Neurology

“For me, Nov. 4 was the most important day in the history of this country in my lifetime because there has been no other moment where the collective wisdom and resolve of ‘we the people’ have been so profoundly put to the test. This is for two main reasons. “First, over the past eight years, all of us have witnessed the disastrous effects of a misguided, abusive and inhumane administration. The election asked us to decide whether we should stay on this same general course or take back our country and redirect it toward what is our only long-term hope: the attainment of the ideals upon which our country was founded – liberty, freedom and justice, and the responsibility we hold to care for our fellow man. “Second, this election tested us with a very simple question: Are we willing, as a nation, to entrust the responsibility of the presidency in the hands of someone whose skin color is not white? As graphic and absurd and simply answered as this question is today, we had absolutely no idea what the real answer was yesterday. Our nation reached a watershed in our history when we answered the question with a resounding chorus: ‘Yes, we can!’ “My belief in the greatness of this country has been restored.”

Elba R. Sanchez, associate director, Community and Governmental Relations

“Last night, even in the chill of the night, folks in my neighborhood in Oakland were outside their homes. We were talking to each other, and when some young black folks walked by us and started to yell, ‘Obama! Obama! Obama!’ we were all soon a part of the group, all yelling ‘Obama!’ over and over. We all laughed and wished each other well as we went back into our homes. “There was a shared feeling of expectation in the air, a sense of excitement. We all felt it, and people were in need of sharing their hope. It unified us all; it was palpable in the neighborhood. It was wonderful waking up to a new morning, to a new and hopeful energy and perspective today. “The irony of the fact that Obama and his family will be living in the White House, built by slaves and slave labor, cannot escape us! May none of us forget that. “We are a society fed up with the present status quo politics, desperate for change, a fresh point of view and more humane analysis. Obama in the White House means a window of fresh air, a new White House culture. It is certainly not business as usual. “This is not only a historic juncture in our timeline; it is a meaningful, giant blip on the radar screen, a step in the right direction. Perhaps it signals a more involved and caring society, since it will take all of us to turn this ship around, and we appear to be ready to make that step as a whole. Maybe we will finally have a leader that sees, respects and invites the everyday contribution of each and every worker, mother, student and community in the United States. “It is going to take a concerted effort on all of our parts to make a difference, and with Obama at the helm, this and more can be accomplished. It’s about an inclusive culture, and each one of us who voted feels like our vote truly counted this time around! We felt included. “We have made a giant step forward in electing Obama, but have a long way to go when we vote to take away the civil rights of others as we have done with [California’s] Proposition 8. Voting ‘yes’ on 8 is a serious step back for all of us, and the irony of voting to take away someone else’s rights in this ‘democracy’ is jarring and does not bode well.”

Barbara Gerbert, PhD, professor, UCSF Division of Behavioral Sciences, Professionalism and Ethics

“During the primaries and the general election, I was supporting Barack Obama because of his expressed vision for our country; his policies; his courageous, early and enduring stance against our occupation of Iraq; his hope for a better future for all who live in the United States; and his goal to restore our country’s standing as an exemplary leader for the world. I was impressed by his team and teamwork, seemingly invisible and flawless in their implementation of a path to victory. “I must admit I have had trouble breathing the last few months, worrying about ‘swift boating’ and whether Obama’s campaign might have to turn very negative to win. “Now that what I view as ‘goodness’ has triumphed, I have faith and trust in Obama and his picks as teammates for the journey ahead; his selecting inclusivity over partisanship; his momentum for action and improvements; his willingness to listen, think and reflect; and his ability to build a solid future, based on a clear understanding of history. “I think many of us did not let ourselves also contemplate the historic nature of Obama’s multiracial heritage and what it might signify about race relations in our country until last night. There seemed to be too many other obstacles to overcome. “Now, it is clear that we have made progress in the most critically divisive issue in the US – racism – in versus out, us versus them, good versus bad, black versus white. May peace prevail! I look forward to joining the bandwagon that pulls us all together to work with Obama and Biden for a brighter future for all.”

Express Yourself

What do you think about the election results? Send an email to UCSF Today Editor Lisa Cisneros by Thursday, Nov. 13. We will post a diversity of opinions, including your comments and your name and UCSF title, on UCSF Today on Friday, Nov. 14.

Photo by Flickr user Thirty30Photography