Already, a record of some sort had been made with the first “Black White House” ever in history to which President-elect Barack Hussein Obama could just become the first ever political personality of African descent to rule a most powerful nation throughout the history of the world. He’s the first at that.
Or I might be a bit mistaken.
Prominent black rulers have been noted in the past like for example the Black Pharaohs of Egypt who had conquered the Nile after venturing from deep Africa in 728 B.C... Also referred to as the Nubian Kings by many historians, coming from a location that is now present-day Sudan, these African conquerors had made great impact in Dynastic Egypt, reuniting the often tattered kingdoms that had been devastated by petty territorial warlords aiming to control power over the fertile Nile Valley.
Another black personality was Haile Selassie I, the Ethiopian emperor who had gained cultic adulation from not only among black people in Africa but throughout the world, he who had been believed to be a descendant of King Solomon and even referred as a god-incarnate. Emperor Selassie was a defining figure in the entire African history. His followers have been called as Rastafarians.
And 
And then there was Shaka Zulu, Africa’s most-well known warrior and ruler of the great Zulu tribe in southern Africa. He was well-known for innovating very clever war tactics that even with just a miniscule army of tribal fighters, he was able to conquer and reunite the entire southern hemisphere of Africa, sometime in the early 1800’s.
Or perhaps, we could include Idi Amin, the Ugandan military dictator, often feared and dreaded by his own people, among the lists of well-known African rulers. But he was such a notorious guy that he shouldn’t be noted at all in any list.
Interesting facts Major Tom. And what about Cleopatra? She's both black and female.
Comment by Toe — November 9, 2008 @ 6:05 pm
Oh, I didn't knew about that fact entirely. thanks for the info. She should link the veracity of these African pharaohs which to this day is still enveloped as to veracity.
Comment by Major Tom — November 9, 2008 @ 6:29 pm
Some Americans are color blind with Obama because his mother was white and he was born in America plus the fact that he graduated from Harvard with a law degree. His pedigree is impressive - both mom and dad were graduate students that sought PhD degrees.
The history of the abovementioned leaders is not exactly inspiring, esp Idi amin. Today one can simply see the fate of Zimbabwe, formerly Rhodesia, when the inflation rate is 1 billion percent, and is in dire straits, 3 decades after taking over from the British rule.
Obama's victory is a triumph only for America because the country and its people had gone a level up in the area of enlightenment.
Comment by bw — November 9, 2008 @ 9:53 pm
nice feature. i actually have a national geographic issue that featured the black pharaohs.
Comment by dong ho — November 10, 2008 @ 1:12 am
i can't but look at the US elections and feel jealous.
i hope we have a system that demands candidates talk about their platform.
i hope we have a system that can back up even young politicians and have the good ones elected.
i hope we have a system that counts votes just hours after votes are cast.
i hope we can duplicate a good system.
hay.
Comment by Atticus — November 10, 2008 @ 1:19 am
Is Selaisse black? He looks really white. hehe. I understand that some north Africans don't consider themselves black. And Barack's only half-black. I guess it depends on how one defines black.
Comment by Wil — November 10, 2008 @ 5:51 am
To BW: A great big leap in fact in terms of enlightenment and social maturity where just about half a century ago, blacks have separate lavatories than white. But now, a black guy is in the white house.
Comment by Major Tom — November 10, 2008 @ 8:23 pm
To dong Ho: I think I've seen that too. I am amazed by this particular footnote in world history as we know how popular mindset often puts down Africans in so many terms when in fact, in the distant past, they have been such a valiant race, far from the people that suffers hunger so miserably and extreme miseducation.
Comment by Major Tom — November 10, 2008 @ 8:27 pm
To Atticus: You're not alone in feeling that. I do feel that way. Yet, examining the current electoral system we have, it's so difficult to hope and expect progress. Maybe in lightyears away, that'll happen.
Comment by Major Tom — November 10, 2008 @ 8:29 pm
To Wil: Northern Africans are a lot fairer than the southern ones. Libyans and Moroccans are nearly Caucasians in appearance; perhaps its a bumper region for race differentiation, from blacks of Africa towards whites in Europe and Middle East.
Comment by Major Tom — November 10, 2008 @ 8:33 pm
Actually when you listen to Obama, you don't remember what color he is, you just get so caught up with what he says and what he represents in terms of the future of American politics.
Comment by Gypsy — November 10, 2008 @ 11:45 pm
I didn't know these facts either, so thanks for sharing
I think he's gonna be a great leader, just like Nelson Mandela.
Comment by pining — November 11, 2008 @ 3:35 am
Lets hope he will be a great leader! The US and the wold need it.
Comment by Sidney — November 11, 2008 @ 7:47 am
To Gypsy: His cool baritone of a voice is truly universal and signifies a lot of wisdom and intelligence.
Comment by Major Tom — November 11, 2008 @ 8:09 am
To Pining: Oh, Mr. Mandela should be up there among the great black ruler list although I see him more of a passionate freedom figher than a territorial ruler.
Comment by Major Tom — November 11, 2008 @ 8:12 am
To Sidney: Well said bro, right now Obama is making the right move about Guantanamo, that's where his legal leaning is of great healp and could resolve the many human rights questions ta the Bush Administration had been embroiled in.
Comment by Major Tom — November 11, 2008 @ 8:14 am
I hope Obama succeeds but in order to do so, he needs to govern from the center of the political spectrum. He should be careful and not take the country too much to the left or the right. Otherwise, he might quickly lose all the political capital and goodwill he currently enjoys.
But for the sake of the US and of the world, I do hope he succeeds.
Comment by Panaderos — November 11, 2008 @ 9:39 am
To Panaderos: I fully agree although it would the most difficult thing Sen. Obama had to be in, to traipse carefully, to seek the best compromise, if there would be such athing over there now. The Bush Administration had left such a huge mess of a government that so much cleaning up would have to be done before Sen. Obama could really take off with his own plans for governance.
Comment by Major Tom — November 13, 2008 @ 10:14 pm
Very well put article! The Egyptians were incredible Africans that built an amazing civilization. One that today's modernization gleaned from.
Comment by TRUE AMERICAN PATRIOT — January 20, 2009 @ 6:36 am