By MIKE CAPUTO
Corbin, 62, happened to be raised by a family that was attuned to democratic government and politics from the time they lived in the Caribbean. However, he said they were disappointed to see the challenges that they faced as a black family in America during the '50s and '60s.
The legislator explained that Obama's historical victory meant most to those who actually witnessed the work of the civil rights leaders.
"I can imagine the emotional part in their lives seeing this," Corbin said. " I know what they felt and know what they are feeling today.
"For those who lost their lives, Tuesday proved that it was not in vain," added Corbin, who referred to two of his fallen heroes: Martin Luther King Jr. and Medgar Evers.
Corbin (D-Westbury), whose diverse district includes portions of Westbury, East Meadow, West Hempstead, Rockville Centre and Lakeview, noted that people of all races and cultures were excited about the victory. The reaction depended on the perspective, he explained, which usually depended by generation. Corbin said his four adult children were part of the crucial generation.
"They didn't have that emotional tie like we did, but they have an emotional tie that [Obama] was an African-American and they wanted to be the first generation to put him over," Corbin said.
When Corbin watched crowds of people celebrating outside the White House and Times Square on Election Night, he recalled when happy supporters lined up outside City Hall about 19 years ago to celebrate David Dinkins victory over Ed Koch to become New York's first black mayor.
Corbin knows what it is like to campaign for historical candidates. In addition to campaigning for Dinkins, he also worked for New York's first Jewish-American mayor Abraham David Beame. The legislator continued the tradition as an Obama volunteer and traveled to swing states to spread the candidate's message to undecided voters.
During his travels to states like Pennsylvania, Ohio and Florida, Corbin noticed that many people had hunger for a president with a fresh perspective and new ideas during this tumultuous economic period in America.
"We had to literally get on our hands and knees to show this nation that we need somebody with some new, credible ideas and we don't have time to look at all the hang ups that we had in this nation for far so long too long," Corbin said. "I call it a perfect political storm. The American people were asked to answer this call and they did."
Corbin, who has served in the Nassau County Legislature for 14 years, said that constituents base opinions primarily on job performance and skill rather than on race or religion. Also, when it comes to those who serve in the military or compete in the Olympics, they are always viewed as Americans, he said.
"This is not the end of anything," Corbin said. "It is the beginning of what our founding fathers said what we are about - that is inclusion, diversity. This is what the nation is all about."
Comments about this story? MCaputo@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 287.
