by Mark Silva
Ebony magazine has chosen its first "Person of the Year.''
President-elect Barack Obama.
If the election of the first African-American president does not stand out as a landmark event in the history of a magazine founded for African-American readers in 1942 and now reaching 12 million readers, it's difficult to imagine what does.
"We won because the American people mobilized for change,'' Obama says in the interview that he gave to Ebony on Nov. 13, his first interview following election. "It really was people at a grassroots level who carried our campaign financially, who carried it organizationally, and we don't want that to dissipate.''
The interview, along with the magazine's naming of Obama as its first-ever Person of the Year, a look at how "Barack's Chicago'' helped shape the man and a look at "First Lady Style: Michelle Obama's Eclectic Taste'' all are featured in the January edition of Ebony, a designated collector's edition, that goes on sale a week from today, Dec. 9.
(Cover photo courtesy of Ebony magazine.)
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Comments
Surprise...,Why are they naming streets and schools and other buildings after this guy?. When he hadn't passed any key legislation in his entire life I certainly hope he does well as the President of the United States, but the jury is still out.
Posted by: Paul | December 2, 2008 1:17 PM
He is the first African American president. He is a historical figure just by becoming President-Elect. The way people accept and appreciate his efforts can not be until he actually takes office.
Posted by: MsQSB | December 2, 2008 1:41 PM
I find it sad that Ebony Magazine did not find it appropriate in other years to name a Person of the Year. Were there no other men or women in the past 66 years who Ebony could have honored as Person of the Year? The obvious people are Jackie Robinson, Rosa Parks, MLK Jr. Who else?
Posted by: ss | December 2, 2008 1:50 PM
Jealeous people cant understand the happy feeling we have as American; to see this man become President. Four hundred years of being a second class American; it time to name street, office bldgs.and what ever else we can name after name will be welcome. All hater get a life!
Posted by: Chester H. Lacey | December 2, 2008 6:15 PM
I'm SO glad I renewed my subscription...to me, this cover rivals any of the great covers I've seen so far!!!
Posted by: Dawson | December 3, 2008 5:45 PM
Thank you Ebony for acknowledging the historical, emotional and hopeful importantance of Barack Obama's election victory as the 44th President of the United States of America.
Of course, some folks won't like the cover or the accolades because they are not willing to acknowledge the outstanding Obama campaign as a great phenomenon. Kudos on a job Well Done!
Posted by: Mickiboop | December 4, 2008 1:22 PM