Obama's Historic Victory, Part III

There is no question that Obama's victory is "transformational" in one sense, to wit: he is the first president-elect who is black, at least partially. I say "partially" because in his first presser, Obama referred to himself as a "mutt" when comparing his diverse heritage to dogs in a pound. This begs several questions (no pun intended).

What does it mean to be the first "black" president? How do we define this? Is it purely due to the color of one's skin? If so, then Obama qualifies as he will have the darkest skin of any president in our nation's history. However, he is black/African on one side only. Isn't he the type of person we hear some in the "black community" vilify as "not black enough"? His experiences and upbringing also defy being described as "black American". How many black Americans spend formative years in a Muslim nation and attend exclusive private schools? He and his wife are millionaires. How much in common does Obama have with the average "black American"? What is the average "black American" anyway? Is it someone living in a stereotypically poor, predominantly black neighborhood overrun with gangs and drugs? Is it the increasingly growing black middle and professional classes? What about so-called "oreos", i.e. those that are "black on the outside, white on the inside"? Can we finally do away with that racist term? Can't a black man or woman hold conservative economic and social views without being viewed as an "oreo", or an Uncle Tom, a traitor to his/her race?

Perhaps most importantly, Obama's election raises several questions about the existence of racial classifications. Have we finally reached a point where we can say there is little to no racism left in the nation, except perhaps on the very narrow fringes? Obama received the votes of well over 60 million Americans. If Americans can elect a black man to its highest office--their leader--then can we finally stick a fork in this racism bugaboo? Where was the "Bradley effect" we heard the media wringing their hands about? And why did/does the media continue to attempt to stereotype and pigeon-hole entire groups of people based on skin color, neighborhood, class, etc.? Can we now end support for racial preference policies? Can we end political correctness? Can we now cease having our racial sensitivities so heightened? Can Democrats now stop labeling Republicans as "racist" simply because they disagree with liberal policy positions?

This shouldn't apply to just the "enlightened" blue states. Even states and counties that stayed "red" should be given respect and honor. Isn't it possible that a majority in those areas voted for McCain simply because they believed he would have been a better president? Or was even the lesser of two bad choices? I live in Idaho and many who has never been to Idaho think there is nothing here but rednecks, Klansmen, and Mormon fundamentalists. That perception is very far from the truth. While not as diverse as many places, we have some of the friendliest and safest communities anywhere. Yet most of us hold conservative positions on taxes, economics and social issues. Now that we as a nation have risen above our perceived racial prejudices, can we also rise above the ignorance that colors how we view all of the components of our nation?

Will Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and the rest of the black "leadership", while understandably basking in the glow of the election of the first "black" president, come forward and loudly proclaim these things? I hope so. We must recognize that this nation has moved past race. Even if Obama's election does nothing else, I hope it will serve as the final nail in the coffin of this nation's long past racial wrongs and those who seek to continue to exploit them today.