The story of Timothy Pettigrew, a fictional black Presidential candidate, is the earliest recollected depiction of diversity in America’s highest office. The comic strip, which ran in Treasure Chest magazine for half of 1964, concealed Pettigrew’s race until the final issue.
For older generations, this 1960’s comic book hero has resurfaced as a powerful reminder of just how unlikely yet poignant the idea of a black president had seemed to be until Obama’s appearance on the national stage.
The comic strip optimistically projected the election of a black man to happen in 1976. It took us about 30 extra years to get there.
More via NPR and National Catholic Reporter of all things (the Pettigrew character was Catholic). And check out this YouTube video showing the original comic book.