COLUMBIA, S.C. — The view from Sha-Ron Robinson’s window doesn’t contain any McMansions or fancy malls. Through the metal bars, you can see a worn-out business district with some closed restaurants, empty shopping centers and check-cashing centers.

Robinson, who owns The Diva Hair Weaver on Two Notch Road, is talked about a lot here in South Carolina. She’s a black woman, a demographic that pundits say will split itself to vote for Clinton or Obama.

The Democratic primary is Saturday, and blacks could make up 60 percent of voters that day — a far cry from Iowa and New Hampshire numbers.

Robinson’s shop has an Obama sign in the window, and she’s proud to say she will vote for him.

“America is ready for change,” she said. “Everyone believes Senator Obama can really make a change in the U.S.”

She describes him as “different,” “fresh” and “new.” She said although her race and gender have little to do with her vote, race is a factor when choosing Obama, because this is the first time an African-American has had a chance at the White House.

“I love Hillary and Bill and Edwards,” she said. “But I just want to back Obama. We may not ever get another chance to support a black man.”

Robinson’s assistant, Sabrina Hunter Morales, is also Obama-all-the-way, though her mother may vote for Clinton.

“It’s more him than necessarily being a black man,” she said, citing his “magnetism.”

She said although she respects Hillary Clinton, she doesn’t want to flip-flop between Bushes and Clintons one more time.

“[Obama] has the passion, the energy,” she said. 

Both agree that it’s nice to have the “female vote” and “black vote” out there as a factor. Robinson said she thinks future candidates will continue paying attention to black women. 

“This time around our voice is being heard. We’ve always voted,” she said. “[The black woman] holds the key to the country now.”