Many African-Americans across Iowa said determination and excitement is driving them to participate for the first time in tonight’s Iowa caucuses.

“Black people — this is our opportunity to step up to the plate,” said Melvin Hawkins, a 45-year-old disc jockey from Davenport and a first-time caucus-goer.

Blacks in Des Moines, Waterloo and Davenport said they felt compelled to learn about a political process that is still somewhat mysterious to them — and participate tonight — because they feel strongly about presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama.

“Everybody is pretty much pumped on the idea that we could possibly get a president like Obama,” said Kenneth Foster, 35, a student mentor at Creative Visions in Des Moines and first-time caucus-goer.

Many black Iowans said the nation is in trouble with its lackluster economy, the war in Iraq, a bleak employment outlook and racial disparities in schools and prisons. It’s more important than ever, they said, for blacks to help decide who will become president.

“Things are bad right now, and I know if someone doesn’t come in a make a difference right away, we’re going to be in another sort of Depression (era),” Foster said.

Many blacks said they have noticed an unusual increase this year in discussions among their friends and families about the problems affecting the country, the presidential candidates and how to caucus.

Hawkins, who expressed dissatisfaction with the war in Iraq and the way the country is being managed, said Obama has the “wow” factor.

“It seems like you’ve got more of a voice because he’s on the same page as you, in the same age range as you,” Hawkins said. “He’s a person who will give the us a fresh start.”

That’s why Hawkins is ready to caucus tonight.

“It’s going to be an adventure,” he said. “It’s going to be my first time and I’m just going to take my time and vote and make my voice heard.”

Leila Granger, a broker associate at Garris-Robert Realtors in Waterloo who has never caucused, said she feels strongly about Obama and is excited about the chance to experience the caucus up close.

“I am going to caucus this year,” she said. “I really don’t know what to expect. This is something new.”

The economy and war in Iraq top the list of concerns for the mother who lost a son in a car wreck and has two daughters in college. She said she is disturbed at the thought of her children not being able to live “a better life” than their parents.

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s inspired blacks to stand collectively and today’s problems require the same stance, she said.

“There are just so many problems with our country. We need the right person in there,” she said. “We need someone in there who is looking to do something new — someone who has the backbone and character to do those things.”

Foster, who moved to Iowa from Texas in April, agreed.

“Things are bad right now,” said the ex-truck driver, who suspected racism was a factor in why he had trouble finding a job in Iowa.

Foster, like many other blacks across the state, is ready to participate in the caucuses even though he’s unfamiliar with the process.

“You go in, ask for the Obama corner, and you stand there,” Foster said, of his expectations tonight. “I don’t know how long you have to stand there, but I’ll stand there for hours, if necessary. I’m going to do whatever I can to make sure he’s elected.”