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Two days before the historic presidential election in which the first black U.S. president could be elected, Shawn Ramey, center, bows his head during a church service at Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist, where nearly everyone in the congregation supports Democrat Barack Obama and most have voted early.
By J. Patrick Coolican (contact) 
Monday, Nov. 3, 2008 | 2 a.m.
Pastor S.S. Rogers, center, and his wife, Mary, right, bid members of the congregation at Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist goodbye after the service Sunday morning. Rogers stayed on message during his sermon, saying: "I'm not relying on a new president! I'm relying on Jesus!"
Sun Topics
Beyond the Sun
When the Rev. Ralph Williamson asked his flock Sunday if they’d voted early, nearly every hand shot up.
Williamson, senior pastor at First African Methodist Episcopal Church in North Las Vegas, looked at the few people who hadn’t voted yet and quipped, “Need a ride?”
Many of West Las Vegas’ traditionally black churches offer high-energy services of sweat-soaked sermons and powerful music, but two of them seemed to have a little extra kick Sunday, as the community ponders what many thought they would never see in their lifetimes: a black president.
“What you talking about, it’s way past exciting,” said Mike Judkins, organist at The Greater Mt. Sinai, which also boasted near universal early voting.
The congregants at Mt. Sinai and First A.M.E. said their friends and family had also voted early, which could help explain the fact that at least 75,000 more Democrats than Republicans voted early in Clark County, far surpassing the margin in 2004.
The vast majority of black voters are Democrats, and they’re expected to support Obama by even more than the 90 percent of their votes they typically give Democratic candidates. The more important question is how many turn out to vote. Early indicators point to a huge black turnout. In North Carolina for instance, a CBS News poll found blacks making up 31 percent of early voters, even though they’re 21 percent of the population there.
That these valley churches would have so many early voters is not surprising — the church has traditionally served as the bedrock of black political activism and civil rights work, framing political issues in a moral and religious context.
The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. began his career as a preacher at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta.
Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama, who was raised by his white mother and grandparents, did not grow up in this tradition, but he did join it at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. There, he met and was baptized by the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, though the two are now estranged.
Obama denounced Wright after he suggested the government had a hand in creating the AIDS epidemic, among other statements that could be described as anti-American.
Obama’s critics have questioned how he could listen to Wright’s inflammatory rhetoric for so long on Sundays without raising objections. (Obama has said he never heard hateful or anti-American sermons.)
At First A.M.E., Williamson was careful not to endorse Obama from the pulpit, which would threaten his church’s tax-exempt status, according to IRS rules. In an interview before the service, though, he said of Obama: “I believe it is a divine appointment. God hears the fervent prayers of the righteous,” echoing what many white evangelicals said about President Bush in 2004.
If Obama loses, “Whatever the outcome, God is still in charge,” Williamson said.
The Barack choir — yes, actual name — belted out, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine,” a hymn of musical and religious joy.
Still, the moment — what Williamson called “the threshold of history” — is bittersweet, he said. Obama is being propelled by voters looking for relief from what looks more and more like a severe recession, especially in Nevada.
Black communities have traditionally suffered from the last-in, first-out syndrome — the last people to enjoy the fruits of economic recovery, the first to feel the ills of recession.
Williamson, who is a small but pugnacious and solidly built man with high, hard cheekbones, told the congregants the church began giving groceries and other assistance to about 40 families some months ago, but the number is up to 96 now.
He spoke of the long struggle of black liberation, first from slavery, and then from segregation.
He quoted 1 Corinthians, Chapter 9, which refers to winning a race. He said it was a metaphor for spiritual deliverance. Winning a race requires self-discipline, a sense of purpose and persistence. No one has ever won a race without running through the tape, he said, the political connotations clear enough.
His refrain through his sermon about self-discipline and winning the race for the “eternal prize” was, “It’s not over yet.”
Dr. S.S. Rogers, the pastor of Mt. Sinai, moved to Las Vegas in 1960 from Louisiana to find a job. He worked as a dishwasher at the old Mint Hotel, and slowly but surely worked his way up the ladder, becoming a casino porter, housekeeping porter, linen supervisor.
When he arrived, the only blacks in the casinos were the employees. He was the first black security guard at the Sahara, hired in 1968. He would later become the first black blackjack dealer there.
All the while, he was going to school. He worked with at-risk kids for the school district, and started his church in 1986.
Before Rogers entered the sanctuary Sunday, the celebrants sang with a driving momentum, “God is a good God! Yes he is!”
Although politics were in the air Sunday, Rogers stuck to his core mission: “I’m not relying on a new president! I’m relying on Jesus!”
After the service, Angelia Williams, a nurse for patients with Alzheimer’s, said she was an Obama supporter because she believes he will support poor people and the uninsured.
She said the excitement in the black community is palpable.
Did she ever expect to see a black American elected president in her lifetime?
“No.”
It's all about the Ice Cream (by a 3rd grade teacher or somebody just made it up)
The most eye-opening civics lesson I ever had was while teaching third grade in 2000. The presidential election was heating up and some of the children showed an interest. I decided we would have an election for a class president. We would choose our nominees. They would make a campaign speech and the class would vote.
To simplify the process, candidates were nominated by other class members. We discussed what kinds of characteristics these students should have. We got many nominations and from those, Jamie and Olivia were picked to run for the top spot.
The class had done a great job in their selections. Both candidates were good kids. I thought Jamie might have an advantage because he got lots of parental support. I had never seen Olivia's mother. The day arrived when they were to make their speeches Jamie went first. He had specific ideas about how to make our class a better place. He ended by promising to do his very best. Every one applauded. He sat down and Olivia came to the podium. Her speech was concise. She said, if you will vote for me, I will give you ice cream. She sat down. The class went wild.'Yes! Yes! We want ice cream. '
She surely would say more. She did not have to. A discussion followed. How did she plan to pay for the ice cream? She wasn't sure. Would her parents buy it or would the class pay for it. She didn't know. The class really didn't care. All they were thinking about was ice cream. Jamie was forgotten. Olivia won by a land slide.
Every time Barack Obama opens his mouth he offers ice cream, and 60% percent of America reacts like nine year olds. They want ice cream.
The other 40% percent know they're going to have to feed the cow.
youshudknow, and I thought Palin was looney-toons!
My only concern is what their 'motive' for voting for Obama would be - if it's because of the color of his skin that is a very sad commentary as I would think ALL should be beyond that by now. Vote for someone who's ideals/ideas you yourself espouse to - be they black or white - or in the case of Obama be they BI-RACIAL!
azsk8fan; you are funny, you are explaining
why people should choose a candidate. Thank god the world has people like you to help them decide, of course with the new social order you'll fit right in. You say
"my only concern is what their motive for voting for obama would be". "all should be beyond that by now". what planet do you live on? here is a chilling fact for "you", all polls have an undecided column, and in every case the undecided is
99.9 percent non-black. azsk8fan the black voters have already decided. I feel sorry for all americans, they are not voting for what is in the best interest of this country, they are either voting for a race, or a giveaway, in most cases it is the giveaway and as jim nance has referred to it, the "cheeseburger president".
if you vote for obama, you just got a happy meal for free every day, but effectively americans have sold this gal cheap, the cost to our future won't be able to be paid by us. it will get sold as it already has to other wealthier nations.
Obama gets votes because he figured out that you can promise whatever you want in whatever state you visit, you can scare old people into voting for you, promise promise promise a trillion dollars worth. and then say no new taxes if you earn under 250k?.
it is not possible. this is a time like non-other in history, right now new taxes and irresponsible spending will end us.
As an African-American, I admit it IS an exciting time for us. I honestly believed I would never see a minority have a good shot at being president of the United States. However, as a CHRISTIAN, I won't be voting for Mr. Obama. I am being chastised by my family and friends because I am not voting for Obama. I refuse to vote for him just because my skin is brown -- and unfortunately, a lot of people are voting for him because of this reason. I am not voting for him because his ideals and plans DO NOT follow God's plan for us. I honestly don't believe how any Christian who "loves Jesus" can vote for Obama.
I KNEW THIS DAY WILL COME. IT TOOK ALL MY LIFE IN UNITED STATES(38YEARS) WAITING.
LET'S NOT FORGET THE MANY BLACK PEOPLE WHO PAVED THE WAY FOR THIS TO HAPPEN THAT LOSS THEIR LIFE.
I'M A FILIPINO/AMERICAN WORK 36 YEARS IN GOVT. HOSPITAL IN SAN FRANCISCO.RETIRED AND RESIDES IN THE PHILIPPINES NOW.
IM REALLY VERY PROUD THAT ONE DAY LIKE MARTIN LUTHER KING SR SAID THAT HE'LL SEE HIS DREAM TO HAPPEN.
GOD BLESS PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA AND HIS FAMILY AND GOD BLESS AMERICA.
What is very sad is how many African Americans forget the evils that government did to them. Today they have thrown away the freedom their ancestors won and have accepted big government as their masters.
On another note, now that a black man is about to become President of the United States does anyone think the racist affirmative action laws will come down?
I don't, divide people up and make them forget t heir individuality. Give benefits to some at the expense of others. Buy your loyalty and punish those who disagree. That is big government.
KDR81 It was not "Big government" that was evil to black people, it was white people also and we have to take responsibility for our previous actions and not blame it on the government. I believe in Obama and what he says because he makes sense to me. I believe he will make a difference, not because he is a black man, but because he is a GOOD man. McCain and Palin are extremely dangerous for this country. Palin alone is a woman on a mission to take women back in time to the dark ages. As a woman I can and will vote for Obama because he is the right person for the job!
What is sad is that we are moving further and further away from "...one nation under GOD." I guess that doesn't matter anymore. It especially won't matter after the election results tomorrow. I guess I can take gratitute that Hilary was not nominated.....
Vegassv - you reiterate my point exactly - I really don't know what tokoloshe's problem is. My attitude would be the same if someone of color was acquitted - if it's because the jury honestly felt he/she was innocent then so be and God bless them for doing their job - however, if it would be simply because of the color of one's skin then again it would be a very sad commentary. Perhaps I am just naive in hoping that people are intelligent enough to look beyond one's skin color when making major decisions.
I, and I'm assuming the majority of the electorate, will be voting for Barack Obama not because of the color of his skin, but because he's got some bright new ideas, and injects new enthusiam into the country at a time we desperately need a change of direction. And that's a good thing. Today it was announced that the treasury wants to borrow another half a trillion dollars, on top of the 400 billion they borrowed in July. That will make 600 billion since mid-September, for a 6 month total of one trillion dollars that we'll have BORROWED by December. We're broke, folks. Time to look in a new direction. THAT is what this election is about. HOPE. 4 more years of the repub/Bush doctorine, or an entirely new approach to some age-old problems.
We're throwing the bums out. And that's a good thing.