and '65 opened the door for blacks to enter politics again. gradually at first, but by the mid-1970s, there was a steady stream of duly elected and african-american city officials, state reps, members of congress, mayors. >> so from '68 to '08 was a 40-year period of really learning and engaging in the political process. out of that emerges president barack. he came in running the last lap, a tremendous last lap, of a 40-year race. >> i'm here because somebody marched for our freedom. i'm here because y'all sacrificed for me. i stand on the shoulders of that. >> barack obama was not running to be a civil rights leader. selma helped make him possible, but don't confuse those that paid the price with those that are supposed to take that price and govern. >> despite his visit to selma, obama didn't spend much time