Barack Obama makes history

Last night at 1:15 AM Atlantic Standard Time is one of those times of my life that I will probably remember for a long time, one of those "Where were you when it happened?" moments. That was the time of Barack Obama's speech in front of hundreds of thousands of people in Chicago.

Obama became the first black man to be elected president of the United States. I think this really marks a turning point in US history, given that nation's record of slavery and systemic racism against minorities.

Obama's victory makes the old adage that "anyone can become President" ring truer than ever. I think Obama's status as a black man who was not descended from people who were taken in the slave trade made it possible for him to ascend to America's highest office. He was not a direct product of colonial slavery even though he has lived with its after-effects his whole life.

My greatest fear of this election before last night was that the "shadowy men" who have run the US for the past 8 years would somehow rig this election as they have the last two, with voter fraud in 2000 and blatant fear-mongering in 2004. What last night's assembly in Chicago showed me and the rest of the world was that Obama's message resonates with Americans and his quest for the White House would not be denied.

As most people probably feel this morning, I am hopeful for the next 4 years. With Democrats in control of the executive and legislative branches of the government, they can make real progress toward repairing the debauchery of Bush Jr.'s reign.