The historians will say, "Our civilization was built from theirs, but we take pleasure for not having to go through that kind of irrationality and infighting that impedes progress. Their history is primitive because they were too slow to learn from the past. They considered things that were insignificant history; the first woman to become president, the first black man to become president, the first black person to go into a house painted white on Pennsylvania Avenue enraged others and so on. Their natural differences had blinded them not to see what was for their universal good. Their blindness made them fight each other and erroneously believed fighting was progress itself. Even though they saw the potential of building their society and making it more prosperous, they were too reluctant to increase their pace because of the prejudices and animosities they harbored".
As time changes, they are the ones who will remain stuck in the past and need a boot to eject them and they are the ones who will slowly progress with the changing times. In a rapidly changing world, our progress should no longer be measured by a movement from point A to B, but by how quickly we realize the benefit from moving from A to B in as short a time as possible.

Primitive communities have remained largely primitive because of their reluctance to challenge their stagnation and their willingness to gloat on the past. They trail because they have endorsed the belief that progress is progress; it does not have to come fast. They have since lagged behind and falsely taken consolation in the thought that no matter how fast they try, change inevitably comes slowly.

Obama's election definitely and psychologically empowers some groups of people who might have been lost in the American dream, or felt it was far-fetched. However, just how long some will remain moaning at their loss and others entranced by their victory for varied reasons will be a true measure of a civilized progress.

For one group of people, history is a stepping stone and a springboard for better things. For another group, history has inevitably become the main impediment to progress. Nothing, but the choices we make now decides which group we will be a part of.

It is our history. Only we can shape it, and should we strive beyond our imaginary boundaries and delusional prejudices our success would be boundless. It is the effort to know what we do not know, the effort to realize our prejudices and the effort to be better that is our only liberation. Then our history will not be told with interjections in social gatherings to evoke laughter, but remembered and emulated for how quickly we were able to learn our hindrances and forged for a better future.

Of course, in Britain and in much of Europe, Obama's victory has been met with both excitement and enthusiasm for the American people and for what they accomplished. Europeans seem to believe that this election represents a shift in thinking about American policies and racial issues. They feel that this decision will help to redeem America in the eyes of those who have developed negative feelings over the last decade.

A long-time client in Hong Kong also rang to tell me how pleased the Chinese people seemed by the fact that the U.S. has finally elected a bi-racial president, especially one who has been so vocal about his strong global views. Even in the Middle East, there seems to be a feeling of relief as a result of president-elect Obama's views on the U.S. involvement in the war-torn regions in that part of the world.

I very much enjoyed following the enthusiastic responses in Africa, and in particular in Kenya, the homeland of Obama's father. The African people obviously feel a close tie to this man who represents a strong connection between the two continents. Likewise, the pride that many African-Americans have expressed in lieu of the president-elect's achievements has also been very touching.

Of course, I know that not everyone is happy with the election results but there are still points that should be celebrated. It is good to see that so many American citizens chose to take advantage of their right and privilege to vote. The substantial increase in voters who actually went to the polls is remarkable and represents hope for the democratic process. Likewise, the fact that many Americans looked beyond race when they marked their ballot choice is a win for democracy for all the world's citizens.

It is important for all of us to feel hope and to feel the ability to make our world a better place.

Personally, I took pause as the candidate himself unnecessarily injected racial fuel into the political fire during a fundraiser at one point during the campaign. I will be paying close attention to his Presidency. He has used poor judgment on both occasions. He made an offensive comment recently, He said, “by the way, did I mention he was Black.” Once again, when he mentioned, “I don't look like the other Presidents on the Dollar Bill. I found that to be out of character and insensitive to supporters who supported him because he has made it a point to transcend race.

If America and other Countries is aware of anything about President elect Obama, which requires no formal explanation; is that he is an African American. The racial Gorilla in the room simply did not require an introduction, especially by the host. President Elect Obama asked, ” that we as a people make an attempt transcend racial lines” during his speech in Pennsylvania. Yet, at his first press conference as President elect, he referred to himself as a “Mutt”.

The admiration I once felt about his candidacy and uncanny ability to remain above the obvious racial overtones were genuine. We witnessed as the old attitudes of race were later amplified during the Republican rallies and speeches offered by Governor Sarah Palin. It caused the otherwise tough but honorable to race morph into something that quickly turned to hate speech and division between the parties.

I watched every moment of this election and listened to every political analyst and yet, I never saw this coming.  As an African American, I agree in part with comments made by Geraldine Farraro that then, “candidate Barrak Obama would not be where he is if he were not Black”. Frankly, if you take away the African American vote or even a substantial portion, we would be hard pressed to make the case that he would be President elect Obama. Governor Rendell's comments during the primary,” there are just some people that will not vote for him because he is Black,” was accurate and honest. Yet, everyone decided his or her comments were racist.

I think both were not only entitled to their opinion, they were correct to point them out. Both have an inalienable right to speak what they believe whether we agree or find it offensive. It is the same right he availed himself as he mention it. His comments this weekend showcased a lack judgment and empathy of one who has had many months to properly select his words as to not offend his constituents.

This election cycle has been historic. It was not the place for President Obama to make light of the obvious in any manner regarding his race. As Americans, we have learned tolerance during this political process without his racial quips. We have shared, as he has overcome many obstacles during his journey. Now, we must believe America can again be a land of hope and opportunity without being subjected to comments such as those, even from the President elect as he is the leader of the free world that just happens to be an African American. 

As a white kid going to a majority African American high school, I witnessed the rather sad racial consequences firsthand.  As I walked to class on the morning after Barack Obama became President Elect, just about every two seconds I witnessed people shouting things like "There'll be a black man in the Oval Office!" or "The black man finally won!"  I think that if civil rights leaders who fought so hard for the right to vote were to witness what I did, I don't think they'd be quite as jubilant as everyone says they'd be.

If you disagree with me, I invite you to share your reasoning in the comment area, but I believe that the fact that black people voting for Obama for the simple reason that he is part black (yes, part black--that's another issue I have, people calling him "black" instead of bi-racial, but that's another rant for another time) is a crime.  I'm not saying that every single black person voted for Obama for this reason only, but with Obama garnering 90-100% of black votes in most states, it's obvious that it's a problem.  If McCain got 90-100% of the white vote in most areas, people would be shouting that it was racism left and right.  Isn't it just as much of a crime as a white person voting for McCain simply to keep a non-white man out of the Oval Office?  Isn't that racism as well?

It's almost spitting in the face of those advocates who sacrificed so much to give African Americans, as the equal human beings they are, the opportunity to carefully consider their options and then make an informed, rational decision at the polls.  Isn't this what America itself was founded on?  The principles of intelligent thought and using the democratic power of choice for the good of all the people?

Remember, I write this as neither a Republican nor a Democrat, for I am neither, but as a white girl watching from the sidelines, I have something to say to all of the skin-deep Obama fanatics:

I have a dream, a dream where all Americans, regardless of race, can look past skin color and realize that the races aren't competing in some vast competition that Obama just "won."  American will fail and continue to be divided if we keep up this modern form of racism.  The only "change" in our us and them mentality will come from putting race aside.

It did not matter if the people standing in line with me were black or brown or white. We were all American's. I live in an area of town where I am the minority. Occasionally I am treated with great distain. Twice I have stood in line at a fast food restraunt and the cashier waited on the person that came in after me and totally ignored the fact that I was even there. My point is racism is alive and well in our society.

It breaks my heart to know that so many men and women have died for the freedoms we enjoy and we can not even treat one another with respect. I believe that untill we stop trying to classify everyone by race it will never change. Why is it that we have to know the demographics of every race in America.

I believe that change will not come untill we stop the classifications. Why is it on every form we fill out the question of race is even on it? We will never get past racism untill we stop the need to know everyone's race. Shouldn't the question be 'Are you an American'? Not are you Native American, Caucaian, African American or Hispanic, but 'Are you an American?' What a fabulous shift in consciousness that would be.

I think that from now on every time I see the question of race on a form I will check other and write in 'American'. For us to truley be a united people we have to break our own barriers before we can break the barriers that outsiders place on us. Let's truley be a United People living in the greatest nation of the United States of America.

I read in newspaper about Barack's ex-teacher recalled that her student, Barry (his name in Indonesia), in a writing lesson wrote that he wanted to be a president. President of which country? Some years a go, as an Indonesian child, I had never had any thought to be a president. Firstly I am not a native Indonesian, secondly I was growing up under President Soeharto regime. He was so powerful and led Indonesia for 32 years. During his era it was almost impossible for other man to replace him as president. As Barack is not an Indonesian native either, it is also impossible for him to be an Indonesian president. The only possibility for him to fulfil his idea is to be the president of United States of America.

Barack wrote in his autobiography that he lacked the "certainty of the tribe." Perhaps he struggled to give himself the right identity under his black skin but was raised by his white grandparents. As a black man he did not experience the brutal racism in the poor black ghettos of Bronx (for example) because he grew up in Indonesia and Hawaii. By settling in a black neighbourhood in Chicago, became a member of a black church and married a black woman, Barack self-consciously choose to associate himself with black people.

People might think that another Clinton was needed to end Bush's leadership. But Hillary Clinton was blocked by a freshman senator. The name of the freshman senator, Barack Hussein Obama was not familiar for Americans. Even his name is associated with American's enemies: Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein. Washington Post published an article entitled "Osama is on the run while Obama considers to run." After Osama Bin Laden's 911 and Iraq's Saddam Hussein, the last thing people want is to send someone with the name Hussein Obama to the White House.

Unlike John McCain who was a war hero, Barack Obama is a foreign name. Unlike John McCain or George W. Bush, who were born in prominent wealthy families with powerful fathers, with all the privileges and connections, Barack Obama born from ordinary family. His father left him when he was only two years old. His personal story has touched many people. He was raised by an ordinary family, earned scholarship and living his American dream. The rise of Barack Obama to be an extraordinary public figure in America is a constant reminder that people still believe that in America everybody has an equal chance to pursue a better life. Perhaps people do not always have equal talent, but in U.S.A. all should have an equal opportunity to develop their talent. The hero like John McCain who is white competes fairly and equally with the son of unknown ordinary Kenyan immigrant says a lot about U.S.A.

Whatever happens in 4 November 2008, we are watching history in the making. This is a story that Americans will tell their future generations that everything is possible in America. During his campaigns Barack has never promised something special for black society, and perhaps things will not be different if Barack wins as a president. At least black kids can certainly say: I can grow up one day to be president. Obama will open the gate of possibilities for many people especially the blacks for many careers. The black will realize that they do not have to look like Ronald Reagan if we want to run for president. Obama inspires the black that they can be an extraordinary kind of guy. It is not a dream anymore that America will live in a society where people will not be judged by the colour of their skin or by their name but by the content of their characters. The journey of Barack Obama will always be remembered as the first black person vying for the White House.

Because he is black, there is something special. Never before in the history of U.S. Presidential Elections that the whole world is nervously waiting for it's outcome. Should Obama win the election there will be extravagant celebration within U.S.A, and around the world, in big cities of Europe like Paris or Frankfurt, in cities of China which favour him, in Iran, U.E.A., Korea, ... from Kenya, the land of his father ... to Indonesia, the land of his childhood.

On November 4, 2008, the American people are going to decide who's going to lead their nation for the next four years after the disastrously shameful Bush administration finishes its tenure. A month after the election, Obama according to CNN/Opinion Research Corporation is leading over McCain - 53 to 45, with a negligible number of undecided.

But will this translate into Obama's election victory?

There are a lot of factors that are to Obama's advantage. At least, the major ones -- first, McCain, if ever he gets elected, will be the oldest president (so far, the oldest US president to be sworn into office was Ronald Reagan) at 72. Secondly, McCain may have been the strongest candidate that Republicans can field for this election, but the fact that he belongs to the same party as George W. Bush - who started the war in Iraq under the pretext of defeating Saddam Hussein's weapons for mass destruction (WMD) and sustaining the invasion of Afghanistan because of the Caspian Sea Oil Pipe thing, including the popularization of pre-emptive strike as America's foreign policy, among other things - makes the impression that another term for “similar-feathered-president” would expectedly dig the US deeper and deeper down the mire it is in now.

How about the factor of race?

Political experts in the US are almost unanimous in saying that they expect the race-factor to be a determining element in the forthcoming election. And these political pundits' prediction is supported by a Washington Post - ABC News poll says that around 30 per cent of the US voters are going to be critically concerned over the issue of race. Still, some regard the percentage to be quite low considering that much more Americans are observably not comfortable in revealing their racial bias. However, it is said that this racial bias in reality influences Americans socio-political behavior, including the electoral decisions that they make.

And this is not unknown to Obama's political rival's camp. During the Obama versus Clinton race for party nomination, the racial remark by Rev. Jeremiah Wright was played up by adversaries of Obama hoping to discredit in the process the Afro-American. It was observably a spin rather than substance.

And Obama is not unaware of the race-factor. In an article that he wrote in Time Magazine (June 26, 2008), he concluded by saying that he had a Kenyan father and an American mother, and “that could only happen in America.” Reading between the lines, Obama is stirring a feel-good attitude among the American people by implicitly saying that Americans are not racist - which they would show very concretely if they are going to earn him a set in the Oval Office.

A rather “neutral” observation by political analysts holds that race will only be a factor in the election depending on the candidates themselves. McCain is said to have said that he does not votes of people who do not vote for Obama because the latter's of Afro descent.

Just a wild musing - if Martin Luther King, Jr. were to deliver his “I Dream” speech today, will he also say: I dream that one of my people assumes the presidency on November 4?