My hearty congratulations to the first African-American President of the United States of America. Though I abhor his stated policy goals, it is a wonderful thing that the Jim Crow days are behind us. I echo Dr. Albert Mohler’s sentiments:
That victory is a hallmark moment in history for all Americans — not just for those who voted for Sen. Obama. As a nation, we will never think of ourselves the same way again. Americans rich and poor, black and white, old and young, will look to an African-American man and know him as President of the United States. The President. The only President. The elected President. Our President.
I hope and pray it will lead to further narrowing of the achievement gap in the academy and the work force, and drastically reduce the percentage of African-American men who do jail time. I echo John Podhoretz’s reflection:
Its [Obama’s victory] positive social impact is incalculable; it was only eight years ago that Al Gore traveled to Harlem to kiss Al Sharpton’s ring, which was only seven years after Sharpton had provoked a riot on 125th street that led to a fire that killed seven people. Sharpton was, at that point, by default the most important black politician in America. Obama’s ascension to the White House, if it does nothing else, may at last bring down the curtain on race hucksters like Sharpton, whose power has always been rooted in the political alienation of inner-city blacks.
Also Eric Redmond, author of Where Are All the Brothers?: Straight Answers to Men’s Questions about the Church and an African-American man, pens an outstanding reflection on his own inner wrestlings with Obama’s candidacy (and, now, with his victory). I think he eloquently speaks on behalf of many.
Lastly, I echo John Piper’s sentiments that we can (and should) be thankful for just about any government.