I'm still dancing for joy but I understand that many people are having withdrawals -- no more battle to fight. But that's not true.
The real work has just begun. My advice is to stay engaged. Take this time to learn about government and the people who are representing us.
Stay up on the issues. That way we can never get fooled again. Learn about world issues because Russia, Iran and other countries are going to be big topics of conversation.
I have full faith and confidence in Obama's leadership, but we have to hold him accountable. We have to remember that the government is working for us. I expect that Obama will ask us to be involved as much as possible. He's not going to get the work done without support.
Also remember, that while most people are pretty happy that Obama will be our next president, there are groups out there, the same ones who claimed to be so patriotic, who are having none of it. Not very patriotic if you ask me.
They're already looking for ways to tear Obama down. They don't want him to even have the chance to succeed, they're not into bipartisanship, because that puts an end to who they are and all that they fight for. Just visit Weekly Standard, Human Events, Worldnetdaily, Freerepublic.
There are already naysayers predicting doom and gloom before Obama even enters office.
In the meantime, Obama has already transformed the nation:
Chicago Tribune: "Now white folks are more credible," said Thindwa. "They say, 'We are not racist,' but the vote for Obama established that their claim that they have made progress is more than rhetorical."
Although it's too early to know how profound and long-lasting such effects will be, many Chicago residents say they feel transformed by Obama's win. Some spoke of a renewed hope for equity in the workplace and in schools. Others wondered aloud whether their children might break past ugly stereotypes.
"I felt like it was a great, great leap forward," said Jennifer Eubanks, 42 and white.
Just months ago, Eubanks said, she wasn't sure she could vote for a black man. But as time passed and she studied Obama's campaign and his message, she became so inspired that she did something she had never done for any other candidate: contribute money.
Eubanks grew up in south suburban Riverdale and Dolton when they were predominantly white communities. She said that, in high school, she was among 200 students bused to school in the largely black suburb of Harvey.
"I'll never forget that the cafeteria was segregated," she said. "I went through four years and never had a problem with the black students, in part because nobody ever crossed the line. There was so little interaction across races."
She said she didn't have her first real relationship with a black person until she entered the workforce, and even that was limited. She said Obama's election—during which she volunteered at a polling place—provided a lesson in how people could work together effectively and how people should be allowed to be people instead of types.
"There were black people and white people, and it was so inspiring that everybody came together for a common cause," said Eubanks, who now lives in St. Louis.
