Supporters hope Patrick victory could change state's reputation

Kimberly Claude stood near the back of the great hall at the Hynes Convention Center last night, sipping on a glass of white wine and smiling as throngs of people passed by, shouting "We won!"

Claude, 29, of Roxbury, stood out among the mostly white crowd at the Hynes Convention Center with her young face, dark brown skin and slight frame.

The nurse practitioner was one of hundreds of black people who supported and campaigned for Deval Patrick, who yesterday became Massachusetts' first-ever black governor. She was also hopeful that Patrick's appointment could mean a friendlier, warmer Massachusetts for the legions of people of color who think the state has a race problem.

"Our reputation is so bad," said Claude. "But this is a turn around - a new beginning."

Inside the cavernous building in the Back Bay, African Americans spoke of how Patrick's election brought excitement and promise. Instead of seeing Massachusetts as the state where a black man was speared by an American flag-bearing white man in the 1970s, perhaps the state could be known for being only the second to elect a black governor.

"If anything, this might bridge the gap between the communities," said Shero Malik, 25, of West Bridgewater, who is Pakistani.

Gushed Denyse Bardouille, who works for the state and is black: "I am overjoyed, overwhelmed, overcome by this man's integrity, this man's class and this man's honesty. How can you not like this man? He's every mother's son."

But many other Patrick supporters of color, though celebratory, were cautious, saying while it's terrific he is governor, they didn't think that alone would change race relations in the state.

"If anything, it'll be harder for him because he's black," said Shetia Diggs, 19, of Roxbury, who was selling water at a kiosk in the hallway. "They're going to have him under a microscope."

Octavius Rowe, 34, a firefighter who hails from Roxbury, said he doesn't want the state's Democrats - including Patrick - to take black voters for granted. They too, will be watching closely.

"I acknowledge the historical significance of the first black governor of Massachusetts," said Rowe, who is black. "But I reserve political judgment until Deval has proven his mettle. We've done our part. You're in, Deval."

Around Rowe, people danced to the sounds of Stevie Wonder and Bruce Springsteen blaring through the sound system. They grooved to a live rendition of God Bless America and clapped when a rap group took the stage. Some cheered as early returns were shown on several large TV screens suspended from the ceiling.

Latifa Ziyad, 34, of Dorchester, brought her daughters, niece and nephew to witness the event.

"It gives people a reason to check into the process again," said Ziyad, who believes many people of color have felt disenfranchised.

Said Domonique Vennis, 15, who came with Ziyad: "Ah man. This was something else. I wish I could vote. He earned it man, I swear, not because he's black, but because he's a decent man."

Outside of the convention center, people across Boston were discussing the significance of Patrick's win.

"This election goes a long way towards indicating that the people of the Commonwealth should not continue to carry the burden of being characterized in negative racial ways," said Ted Landsmark, who as a young man was photographed in 1976 while being attacked by a white man bearing an American flagpole as a weapon.

Patrick's appointment could positively affect the state's economics, experts say.

"Executives have talked about one of their difficulties being attracting people to Massachusetts because of its reputation," said David Thomas, a Harvard Business School professor. Thomas is black. "People will see new possibilities in this state... The question will still be there, but at least now it's a question as opposed to a conclusion."

Yesterday, as the votes trickled in, Patrick stopped briefly at the Boston Public Library to campaign. Through he ran a campaign that de-emphasized his race, he did not deny the significance of his win.

"I think the whole state is coming around," he said. "If people look at Massachusetts differently, then good for all of us. I want people to see Massachusetts the way I've seen Massachsuetts. It's about people preparing me for opportunity, people helping me. If that becomes the image of Massachusetts beyond in the country, than that's a very good thing for all of us."