An editorial in today's Wall Street Journal by Mr. Juan Williams who is a political analyst for National Public Radio and Fox News succinctly captures some of the thoughts I've had in recent weeks about the election of Barack Obama.
I'm thrilled that we live in a country that has elected a black man as president of the United States. Although I don't agree with his liberal left leanings, I think it is a high point in American politics with respect to race relations.
Mr. Williams writes: "
"The idea of black politics now tilts away from leadership based on Voicing grievance and identity politics based on victimization and anger. In its place is an era in which it is assumed that talented, tough people of any background will find away to their rightful seat of power in mainstream political life."
"The Jesse Jacksons Al Sharptons and Rev. Jeremiah Wrights remain. But their influence and power fade to the form of nostalgia in a world of larger political agendas, such as a common American vision of setting the nation on a steady economic course, and dealing with terrorists. The market has irrevocably shrunk for Sharpton style tirades against "the man" and "the system." The emphasis on racial threats and extortion like demands - all aimed at maximizing White guilt as leverage for getting government and corporate money - has lost its moment. How does anyone waste time on racial fantasies like reparations for slavery when there is a black man who earned his way into the White House?"
