On January 20, 2009 history was made. Barack Hussein Obama was inaugurated as the first black President of the United States.

By accomplishing this, he is setting the tone for those who follow. Now black people have no excuse not to pursue their dreams.

In order to know President Obama, you have to know about his background. Barack's mother, Ann, was from Kansas.

His father, Barack Obama Sr., was from Kenya. Barack grew up in Indonesia and Hawaii.

He lived in some of the poorest places on earth; now he is President of the United States.

The theme "Yes We Can" has inspired so many people, including me.

You may ask why? "Yes We Can" means that everyone can cooperate in order to bring about change, which will hopefully result in peace.

President Obama is an outstanding example of a black man pursuing his dreams.

He is a role model because he is doing what other people only dreamed of.

He did not just dream his dream, he chased it down, making him that much more important.

Black people have felt that they were not allowed to pursue their dreams.

You might ask yourself why they feel that way. It is because many of them have been told they will never amount to anything every day of their lives. It started with slavery.

Now people are starting to believe anything is possible. That is how you change the world, one step at a time, bit by bit, day by day.

During slavery many slaves could not even imagine this happening. It is nice to know the difference Barack is making.

For me Barack Obama represents a new start and chance for change.

I know that problems with being black are erased from my mind.

It gives me peace of mind to know that things are not just better for the United States, but the world.

Barack Obama has shown courage, persistence, talent and commitment.

Courage because I did not think any black man would rise to this challenge. He has persistence because he has made it this far and because he is articulate.

Last but not least, Barack Obama is committed to his country.