America's new leader, in his victory speech, referred to the 'preacher from Atlanta who told a people that We Shall Overcome.' He did not mention Dr King by name, yet he and the world knew that the time had come when Dr King's prediction had come to pass.
This is what made the moment everyone's moment -- because it gave hope that if the Obama story could be possible, every story had a chance. In a deeply divided world, driven asunder by countless walls of hate, segregation and prejudice, this was a moment of victory -- a victory for all.
Dr King wasn't around to see a black man become President -- he had been murdered by hate 40 years ago this past April -- but this was his finest hour.
Image: The modest home where Dr King was born.
Also read: Obama and the four letter word