Gaddis, 53, was born and raised in Hattiesburg, Miss. He experienced racism firsthand. "My elementary school was segregated. Even up until high school I can remember being called ‘boy’ and the ‘n’ word," he said. His parents were both involved in the Civil Rights movement attending marches, picketing, and staging bus strikes, and sit-ins.
"Yes we were mistreated, but there comes a point in life where some things we have to get over," he said. This inauguration was extra special considering his history and he couldn’t hide his eagerness during the interview.
Gaddis didn’t think he would see it in his lifetime, but it caused an epiphany, "I enjoy America now… I’m proud of the growth," he said.
He came to California in 1974 not sure of what to do with his life except to become a productive citizen. But, just a year later he joined the ministry and has been plugging away ever since.
Despite his excitement over Obama’s election, Gaddis said, "he’s not going to change the world in a day. I don’t look for him to work miracles. I don’t look for him to bail out blacks. I don’t look for him to bail out those in jail. He has a country to run. I don’t expect him to deal only with black issues. I pray that he doesn’t only deal with black issues. I’m really glad to do this interview simply because a lot of people expect the world to change overnight. I don’t expect that."
Gaddis watched the inauguration alone at his home. His wife and daughter were at work watching. His wife called after the swearing in, "It happened, it happened. It was a great moment." Gaddis was happy also about this being the first time his daughter voted.
"I would like blacks to see that you can be anything you want. You can do anything you want to do. You can go to the highest level in our nation. He’s a really good role model. I think he has a lot of positives to carry us to another level in thinking as a race of people," he said.
"It’s really sad the situation of blacks, our youth have no role models to look up to. They have to look up to athletes they’ll never meet. Now they don’t have to look up to the athletes no more. That’s what I’m really grateful for," Gaddis said.
Gaddis would like Obama to reform immigration laws and address home foreclosures. He wants to see a plan to help homeowners directly. Gaddis also wants reforms in the school system. "No child left behind was a joke. Do something to encourage parents to keep their kids in school and lower college tuitions. Fund after-school programs and Big Brother programs to keep kids in school when parents or usually when single mothers are at work," he said.
Gaddis gave Obama’s speech an 8 out of 10. "You don’t have to prove nothing now, you in. Just say what you got to say, encourage the people and let’s move on," he said. He was grateful that the inauguration unified the country. "The unity displayed today personified to me, we’re down as a country, but we’re not out."
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