To get to this point the Nation first had to leave behind a past in which a black man could never have been elected because of the color of his skin and then equally importantly a period in which black candidates put themselves forward largely because of the color of their skin (e.g. Rev. Jessie Jackson or Rev. Al Sharpton).
Racism has not unfortunately been eliminated. But Obama is truly the first "post racial" President.
One other writer asked me to comment on President-elect Obama’s cabinet choices. Without getting into a post-by-post analysis I must say that I am very impressed with the quality of the appointees. Our future President’s ability to choose motivate and then listen to such high quality advisers bodes well for his administration. My only worry is the managerial effort it will take to lead this high-octane cabinet.
Hi Tom – I could not agree with you more. Regardless of one’s political stripes it would be difficult not to appreciate president-elect Obama’s election as amongst the most significant political events in our history. For me personally it was a truly joyous event. Also one in which I was proud of my fellow Americans. As a person who also grew up white in America in the 1960s and witnessed the civil rights movement from that perspective election night for me was a feeling hard to describe. Amongst the many feelings was one of elated relief. And even a trace of disbelief. I shared the feeling that some of my African American friends talked about – from the early days of the primaries I dared to hope that it was possible yet did not let myself fully believe that it could really happen. But perhaps the most poignant moment for me was the reaction of my 14-year-old son with whom I watched the election returns on November 4. As it was becoming apparent that Barack Obama really would win the election I was surprised at just how much it all bubbled up inside me. I sat quietly next to my son truly overwhelmed as I flashed back to images from my childhood not too long ago – the peaceful marches of Dr. King the busing near where I lived but also the not-so-peaceful riots and things like the racist language and behavior that was at that time even if not accepted at least tolerated by much of white America. A tear ran down my cheek that I could not stop. Despite trying to keep it from my son he noticed. “Dad what’s wrong dude?” (We live in California.) “Well it’s just that . . . even though I hoped Obama would be elected even though he’s highly qualified he’s brilliant he’s the best hope for our country . . . ” I stumbled on as I tried to explain to my son how wonderful it was that in my short lifetime we could go from where we were as a nation when I was a kid to actually electing a man with African and caucasian blood as our president. Despite that we still have so far to go this was a sign that we have indeed come a long way. The more I tried to explain the blanker his stare became. Finally his response: “C’mon dad what are you talking about? He was obviously the smartest guy of course he won.” There was no point in going any further. And how fabulous that I didn’t have to. Race was simply not a factor for a 14-year-old kid in California. I’m not sure the color of Barack Obama’s skin ever even occurred to him. There is hope. Keep blogging Tom! Good to see you’re back home in NY. Bob Stefanski
Tom this is my first comment on your blog. I too feel with your excitement. So Obama III…? As the blush comes off the rose we have the house continuing bailout bill just released yesterday at over 300 pages and literally half devoted to incentive funding for health IT. My initial review of just the hospital incentives make me think that we at Thomson Reuters and we as Americans really need to dig into this more. Will the incentives lead to a more inclusive health system? Cheaper? Safer? There will certainly be opportunities for TR to profit from this but can we be a transcendent player and virtual visionary partner? I have said for years that the way to improving the fundamentals of US healthcare will not be solved with more money; in fact money is like pouring gas on a fire. What we need is structural legislation. Unfortunately the catalyst for legislation is searing pain. This is true for the big picture of single payer and this is true on the tactical level of Healthcare Information technology. Who in the TR organization and the wider organization is going to digest this? Every division of TR has skin & scars in this game. Do we need a plan? I know that there will be a blizzard of consultant webinars coming to feed off our need to know so we could wait
Responding to Phil there is a group at Thomson Reuters analyzing the opportunities created by both the economic stimulus bill and the healthcare reform plan which will follow. I believe we are well placed to benefit. Email to my TR email account and I will provide more details behaind the firewall regards tom