Triangle photo by Dave Hernandez

Barack Obama is now the president-elect. What does this change?

It won’t fix racism, it won’t fix prejudice, it won’t cure ignorance and it won’t fix America. In and of itself, it doesn’t solve or resolve anything.

So what does this mean? For me, and others who choose to look at it from this perspective, it is a window through which we can see what is possible. It shows us that things are different than they used to be. It proves, as Obama said, that anything is possible.

I found myself getting all wrapped up in the emotion of the event. I felt that this joyous occasion should be shared with everyone. I felt that this was such a symbol for not only the progress of African Americans in this country, but for all Americans. And when someone didn’t feel the same way I did or made it a point to express their dissent with the outcome of this election, I got upset and was personally offended.

And then I began to think–and by think, I mean call my mother and tell her how I was feeling. She brought me back to earth and told me to remember that 56 million (and counting) people voted for McCain. And a large number of people didn’t vote for either candidate. So I shouldn’t feel bad about the few people that I know that don’t share my feelings, because there are literally millions of other people that share their dissatisfaction, just as there are millions that share my happiness. And as for the people that voted for McCain, we can’t pick every one of their brains and try to see who was voting out of spite or fear of drastic change, and who actually does not agree with Obama’s policies. So that’s really not relevant.

What is relevant though is that as Americans we’ve reached a turning point. We’ve seen that change is possible. We now have the opportunity to take advantage of this “New America” and be better citizens. We now have more of an incentive to be proactive in our communities. I would hope that people take this opportunity and use it for good; but I have to be realistic, and I know that there are still people out there who, no matter what happens, are going to stick to their guns (no pun intended) and keep on hating, keep on being angry and keep on trying to keep themselves separate from this America. And I say go ahead, because I know what I believe, and I know what I voted for.

As I was joining in the exodus to city hall in Philadelphia last night after Barack Obama’s win, a homeless man asked me for a little change. Instead of my normal “Sorry, man, I can’t help you,” I looked in his eyes and said, “We got some tonight.”