Witnesses to history (01/19/2009)

History happens Tuesday.

And it will be humbling to witness.

Something our parents, our grandparents, and our ancestors might never have thought possible will come to pass.

And it will be inspiring to witness.

By now, you would think that the historical reality of America's first African-American president-elect would be sinking in. That it would be a blip on the timeline.

But it's not. Because, in an odd way, the events of the past few months transcend history.

What was most remarkable about this election was not the way that race played a factor. What was remarkable was how little race mattered.

In November, Americans did not elect a black man as president because he was black. And they did not - for the most part - vote for his opponent because he was white.

Instead, they voted for the candidate they believed had the best intellect, the best temperament, and the best character to fill an incredibly important job at a time when the challenges facing the world could not be greater.

Race was not the issue, except for a handful of bigots. Competence was.

That may sound silly a hundred years from now. But it was a milestone our country - and the world - needed to pass.

The good news, the great news, is that we have passed it.

Wednesday's challenges will be enormous.

But history happens Tuesday.

And it will be a delight to witness. - J.R.[[In-content Ad]]