"If you're black you ran the risk of getting deposited into a box marked and sellotaped for track and field and entertainment and crime and jail and self-doubt and shame."

Obama's election now allows many older black people to inspire the young people with more conviction when saying 'you can be whatever you want to be'. Previously it just did not ring true.

Now Osama's election victory may be fresh in our minds but another man of greatness in today's world is Nelson Mandela. Respected and revered in all parts of the world, Nelson gives hope to many and not only black but many other people across the world.

But on the scale of overcoming the odds, this story (Hawking to give up academic title) reminded me of Professor Stephen Hawking who has not been recognised widely but who deserves to be held up as an example of what can be achieved even in the most difficult of circumstances.

We are truly blessed to live with people like this on our planet. You should allow people like this to feed your ambitions and dreams. Everything is possible!

[First published on my Talking2Myself blog on specified date]