Nobel Prize-winning author, Toni Morrison, who in a 1998 New Yorker article famously (or infamously) declared Bill Clinton "the first black president," has decided to endorse Barack Obama for president in 2008.
In that 1998 article, many took offense at the suggestion that a southern white guy might be "the first black president." Others complained that the comparison was based on Clinton's embrace (exploitation?) of African American culture, or a set of ideas tying black masculinity to infidelity. Some were angry that Morrison suggested that Bill was "blacker than any actual person who could ever be elected in our children's lifetime." To many, Morrison appeared to accept limits on black political empowerment.
Well, no longer. On the day Senator Ted Kennedy and JFK daughter Caroline Kennedy are not only set to endorse Obama, but to vigorously campaign for him acros the country, Morrison has stepped forth to embrace Barack, as well.
Here is the breaking news story: Morrison to Endorse Obama
What do people think the cumulative effect of these endorsements is?
UPDATE: Here is a link posted by a reader that I thought more might want to look at: "First Black President" comment in context