African American Candidates For President of The United States - "Black Presidents?"

"Black Presidents?"

Various commentators have suggested a president could be recognized as the "first black president of the United States" for their contributions to the well-being of African Americans. Republican Abraham Lincoln was suggested because of his role as the "Great Emancipator" of four million blacks in the South after the American Civil War.

Toni Morrison labeled Democrat Bill Clinton the first black president of the United States. Morrison suggested that Clinton was "blacker than any actual black person who could ever be elected in our children's lifetime." Author and professor Angela Dillard stated such claims constituted a "silly and defeatist notion" that separated the black community.