Dear Editor,

I, along with many pastors in the Southeast, recently received a letter from Sen. Barack Obama soliciting support for his presidential campaign.

However, the purpose of this letter is not to give any specific reason why I do or do not support him, but rather to voice my opinion over why I think so many Americans are rallying behind him.

First of all, he is a person of color. While many contend that presidential politics is not about race, in a real sense, it is. But I don&8217;t see this as a bad thing.

In fact, it speaks volumes about how far our country has come in terms of race relations that an African American can, and possibly will be, the next president of the United States.

It means that we as a nation have finally taken hold of Dr. Martin Luther King&8217;s dream, and are determined to make it a reality. It also means that our nation has matured, and that we no longer judge the worthiness of a political leader by the color of his skin, but by the content of his character.

This is something every American should be proud of, for it was not that long ago that racial hatred marred our national landscape.

Secondly, Barack Obama represents a change in the national psyche, a determination to put the past behind us and live up to the true meaning of our national creed, &8220;That all men are created equal.&8221;

Finally, Obama&8217;s campaign has been referred to as a &8220;movement&8221; and not just another political campaign.

Perhaps it is a movement whose time has come. A movement that represents a change from the status quo, and provides Americans of all races and ethnic backgrounds a chance to believe in America again.

Perhaps it is, as Dr. King would put it, the Zeitgeist, a time in history when events converge to bring about change; a great awakening so to speak.

Perhaps Barack Obama is that agent of change.

Eric Little

Ward Chapel, A.M.E. Church

Montevallo