From In These Times
By Salim Muwakkil

Barack Hussein Obama was elected the 44th president of the United States on Nov. 4.

What was once a distant possibility — and an audacious hope — has become an extraordinary fact. The election of a black president was considered so unlikely that it seemed silly to even contemplate. I never thought it would happen in my lifetime.

When CNN announced Obama had won, tears unexpectedly welled in my eyes. The election of the nation’s first black president struck some deep psychic chord.

But outside of my psyche, a President Obama has many meanings — some contradictory. I feel strong pride that such a talented black American has accomplished such a towering feat against such overwhelming odds.

I am proud Obama’s team mounted an innovative 21st century campaign that left many of us scratching our heads in 20th century bemusement.

I feel pride that this nation is making bold steps to atone for its original sin. That theme also resonates with many black civil rights activists. Some have likened Obama’s election to the period during the Emancipation Proclamation, and several civil rights groups organized so-called “Emancipation Watch” gatherings to monitor election results.

The notion that this election is a symbol of racial redemption is particularly striking. African Americans have been virtually lockstep in their support for Illinois’ junior senator, after the Iowa primary proved that a black candidate could attract white votes.

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