Obama Nation?

Pundits will make much of the election of Barrack Obama, citing all manner of cultural shifts and claiming to know what this means for the present state of our nation. That, of course, goes too far. The election of one person over another is just that, no more, no less, and should be judged in terms of the election between the candidates.

However, this is a remarkable example of how a person's name and ethnicity were not hindrances to his ability to become the President of the United States. In some way that example has to remove some of the obstacles that prevent other people from deciding to run, receive support, and ultimately run competitive campaigns. When JFK ran for president his Catholic religion was a national issue and it might be said that he removed that obstacle from national politics. He was elected in 1960 and despite a quarter of the nation calling itself Catholic there have been no more Catholic Presidents in the past 48 years. Joe Biden will serve as Obama's Catholic VP and Congress is about a quarter Catholic today. The Obama election is in direct contrast to the state of the Congress, where diversity is not present. Obama's election actually depletes some of the representation of minorities in the Senate, which is around 90% white and 80% male.

This moment invites us to declare we will repeat the step beyond questioning Catholicism and likewise step beyond race in American politics. One election day does not accomplish that - yet. The hope is there and the new leadership is set up in place to serve as role models, to exemplify success regardless of race, to offer hope for others, and live up to the expectations set by the election hype of substance over race.