Retrospective

(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Barack Obama greets crowds of supporters in Northeast Indiana during primary campaigning. Obama visited Columbia City's Oak Pointe for a Town Hall meeting on May 1, 2008, above.

This morning on “The View,” Whoopie Goldberg made a statement that I think sums up a lot of what can be accomplished by Barack Obama’s presidential victory. She said, “I feel like I can put my suitcase down.”

That suitcase might represent a lot of different concepts to different people, but it is my personal hope that the suitcase represents the baggage and limitations of racism. The fact that millions of people came together yesterday, some of whom who never felt moved to react politically or to visit a voting booth, and chose to elect an African-American man to the highest position of authority in this country, is inspiring.

Last night, African-American men and women, through the lens of cameras, on the lawn in Chicago or in front of their computer or television screen, saw clearly that their dreams are possible. The barriers that truly do exist and others that are merely perceived can be overcome. A young black girl or boy can strive to become something other than a professional athlete or a rap star – someone they can identify with has become a lawyer, a senator, a community organizer and a president. They can see that hard work, striving against adversity and high ideals can get you through. They can now see that the issues they once held before them as the reason they could not achieve can be reasons why they will overcome. They can see that the bi-racial child of a teen mother, a boy who grew up without a father and who was largely raised by his grandparents, can achieve something that prior to last night was mostly reserved for those of wealth and privilege.

Today, hearts hardened by racism may have been lifted. Perhaps those convinced that the limitations of racism would keep them downtrodden can at last stand up and realize they alone are in control of their destiny. Perhaps those who’ve lived their lives convinced that certain races are beneath them might realize we are all equal. Perhaps those standing somewhere in the middle can become a bridge to pull us all together.

Tomorrow, I’m hopeful we can all put down our suitcases – suitcases filled with the limitations in our lives, with overt and passive racism, with disappointment or with preconceived notions we have, fear, uncertainty and anxiety about the unknown. By sitting that baggage down, we may be unburdened by the weighty feelings we carry that were given to us by those who came before us or from our own unfortunate experience. In doing that, we might begin to have real dialogue with one another, address our grievances, agree to disagree about some issues and begin to move forward as one nation under God.

Of great importance is the understanding that Barack Obama’s victory would not have been possible were it not for people of many races and circumstances who walked together in the streets of communities across the nation and who walked alone into the voting booth to choose him. It was not the appeal of one divided group of people who made it happen, but rather a collective effort of many who see in him something that they believe can bring forth good and positive things. In a lot of ways, the good and positive things have already begun.