There was a tension in the Democratic Party.  The Rainbow felt we should go forward and include new and young voters, unregistered voters, and those eligible but inspired voters, as well as workers that have been locked out in depressed areas.  The DLC, led by President Clinton and others, felt the priority was to recall and reclaim voters that Regan had taken away. We never got them back, but we saw an emerging America as hope for the future. 

 

I had a majority vision on how to run a campaign that was inclusive and focused on achieving common ground and our shared national interest across lines of race and class.  20 years later there is perhaps a more receptive audience for African American leadership.  Today we suffer under a dismal foreign policy and economic collapse.  Barack’s own special gifts and vision will stand us well during vulnerable financial times. 

 

Today when USC plays Clemson it is a day of rejoicing.  It’s almost a state holiday.  This is the new America.  If  there were a bumper sticker that captured my ideology it would say Keep Hope Alive or Everybody Matters or Seek Common Ground.  I would put it on bumper stickers in every voting place.  

 

My childhood nickname was Bo.  It was not connected to work- just a name made up playfully by my friends. 

 

My greatest leader of all times is Jesus the Christ, who has been accepted from Jerusalem to Atlanta. Lincoln proved his greatness as a leader as he led the drive to save the nation from secession.  His vision to end slavery kept our nation on a moral course in the drive for human rights for all.  Gandhi, with his nonviolent movement, freed a million people and sent shock waves across the world for social change.  LBJ used the power of presidency to usher in a change for America, end to world poverty and the right to vote for all.  Dr. King died a courageous architect when he was martyred at age 29.  He was loved so much and hated so much.  Each of these four leaders was killed just as their movements succeeded.

                                

Home is where you go unconditionally, no matter whether you are a success or failure.  I often visit my birthplace on Haynie Street to pray and look at the room where I was born and see how far God has taken me across the world to serve.  I always walk across the new bridge downtown on Main Street to look at the flowing water across the rocks- it’s symbolic to me.  

 

I am passionately committed to be a bridge builder to find a way to healing.  That is why I built a Rainbow Coalition, but I have the battle scars from  tearing down walls in order to build the bridge.  Three years ago we fought diligently to get Greenville County to recognize the King Holiday.  That effort built tension that never should have existed.  King did so much in Greenville County to make the New South possible.   On my bedside table I have the Bible and A More Perfect Union.  I have fond memories of my father.  I made lasting friends and learned the lessons of life, playing football for   Sterling Tigers at  Sirrine stadium.  Playing well reminded us of a chance to compete and live across racial lines.  

When I was growing up in Greenville I could not aspire to be a  policeman, fireman, teacher, elected official, or borrow money from banks for business development.  It was very painful.  The biggest challenge in my career has been tearing down legal and cultural walls so that we could see each other.  So long as there are walls between us and we cannot see on the other side, there is ignorance, fear,  hatred and violence. 

 

When the walls come down we realize the beauty of each other and we build bridges.  Today we are still leading local campaigns to make our system more democratic.  I fought for all Americans to vote, for 18 year olds to votes. Today the struggle continues to ensure that everyone can vote.  We are still struggling to democratize our democracy.  My favorite international destination is South Africa,  which is so much like South Carolina.  Both feel like home to me.  Both need to develop democratic institutions so people can learn to live together.  My second favorite international destination is London, with its tremendous library system and historic monuments. 

 

I feel I can talk to any group in the world anywhere because of  my English teacher here at Sterling high school.   Mr. Allen taught physical education along with manhood and character.  When I am in Greenville – I visit my mother, my classmates Leroy Greg and Owen Perkins, Commissioner Lottie Gibson, Senator Ralph Anderson and Davida Mathis.  Her father, Coach Mathis, taught us the fundamentals and took pride in us going to college.  Those who didn’t make the team couldn’t compete because they didn’t have the fundamentals. And with that background and God-given skills I can compete today.

 

When I am in Greenville I attend church at   Long Branch Baptist, Springfield and Bethlehem.  Quote: “Suffering breeds character and faith, in the end faith will prevail and not disappoint.”   “Vanity asks. ‘is it popular? Politics ask is it possible?  Morality asks is it right?  These are the eternal questions.”