Chicagoans: Obama’s speech opens national conversation on race

Retirees Mellow Sam, 77, of the West Side, and Demosthenes Bratsolias, 67, of Evanston, were among those Tuesday applauding Sen. Barack Obama's speech on the racial divide.

But Sam, a black retired radio broadcaster who lives in a senior citizens' building in East Garfield Park, and Bratsolias, a white retired state government employee and suburban homeowner, were approving from different perspectives.

"This is one of the best speeches I've heard during the whole presidential campaign, because the senator is sticking to his guns -- though not being divisive, and trying to bring this country together," said Sam, enjoying soul food at Edna's Restaurant, 3175 W. Madison.

"Most of us in the African-American community understand why Jeremiah Wright made those statements. He was speaking to the reality for a lot of African Americans," Sam added.