article_snippet: (CNN)On and off for over 40 years, I have had the privilege of roaming around the West Wing of the White House, usually as a member of the staff, sometimes as a journalist or visitor.
article_snippet: There among the stream of visitors touring the West Wing were many families of every color, especially African-Americans.  
article_snippet: My wife Anne and I, along with 10-year-old grandkids Gabriel Barnett and David Gergen, were there for a superb, two-hour tour by a young man, Clay Dumas,  once a college intern working with me and now an aide to the President.  
article_snippet: Like most staff members over the years, Clay spoke with near reverence about the President as the President pointed out many photos of Obama on the walls.
article_snippet: I will write my young friend Clay and tell my young friend that one day, accompanied by my young friend grandchildren, my young friend will return to the West Wing itself and be proud that my young friend served under the first president to turn diversity into a living reality at the White House.