Presently, there is a sense of gratification on the part of most Americans, in the wake of a hard-fought election campaign that ended in success for a black candidate. It is, indeed, a new dawn in American history, overcast by clouds of problems that must be dealt with categorically with patience and perseverance. It marks the beginning of a new era in the history of the United States. But does this help undo, once and for all, the racial division that has plagued this country since it had been wrested from the grip of colonization by the British? Perhaps, not. However, it should be considered as one giant step in the right direction that might pave the way toward tackling certain residual grievances that keeps trickling out of the past.
By electing a black president for the first time, the United States has established a precedent, important enough to be emulated by Britain and other countries of Europe in the not-too-distant future. Historical traditions have their roots in the past, some of which might be considered sacrosanct, but such traditions, anachronistically established and allowed to continue, tend to weaken the democratic fabric of society, casting shadows of doubt and uncertainty in human affairs.
The analogy of the old wine (old problems) in a new bottle (a black U.S. president) is one that raises the question as to what kind of realistic step should be taken to usher in the new dawn, threatened by clouds of economic uncertainty, a challenge that the 44th president of the United States would have to confront. The outgoing president was no less concerned about finding a solution to the problem. However, there is cause for celebration, not merely because of this unprecedented event in the history of the United States, but also because it has permeated the rank and file of laymen and politicians in other parts of the world.
