Something was different Wednesday morning. Something we waited a very long time for had happened and was over, and it left a hole in our lives.
We finally chose the 44th president of the United States.
America has gorged at the political buffet for almost two years. Our stomachs, long since full, begged us to stop. And yet, we consumed more. Like the build up to Christmas, this political contest — from inception, to nomination, to saturation — consumed so much of our lives, whether we wanted it to or not. When we turned on our TVs, it was there. When we went to work, it was there. When we went home, it was there, too. It was inescapable.
Then, just like Christmas, it was gone. Except it won’t be back this time next year, and such a historic contest like the one between the first viable African-American presidential candidate, and the oldest candidate to run for a first term, we might never see again.
On the day after Christmas, those who celebrate try to catch their breath — until, of course, they go back to the store and wait in the interminably long return lines. In the days after Election 2008, we all try to catch our breaths and try to wrap our minds around a world without political ads and rhetoric and rallies and ask, “what next?”
Dismissing the typical campaign promises offered by candidates, the promise of the first black president in America speaks to how far we as a country have come since the Civil Rights movement, less than half a century ago. It also speaks to the power of the youth vote, which after so many missed opportunities in previous elections turned out this year in record numbers. It speaks to a groundswell of opposition, fair or not, to the previous ruling party, and a vocal desire for change, that most clichéd of clichés this political season. It speaks of tomorrow and the possibilities for this country going forward. This is an exciting time, regardless of political affiliation.
But just because Barack Obama will be our next president does not mean racism will end. It does not mean division will suddenly melt away. It may improve; it might get worse. The future is uncertain.
So we call on everyone, donkey and elephant and the rest to remember that, as another very famous politician from Illinois once said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” The United States, and the world, has our work cut out for us. We must rally together to face the challenge.

