He Closed The Deal!

Last night Sen. Barack Obama became President Elect Barack Obama at around 11 p.m. Eastern Time. The title change made him the first African American President of the United States and set off a worldwide celebration of historic proportions. The significance of Obama's accomplishment cannot really be explained in words, except to say that through all of the struggles of our ancestors, through the Civil Rights movement, the pain, humiliation and death that black people endured in the name of equality, the moment was euphoric.

When you consider that just 4 years ago Barack Obama was a Senator from Illinois, and in a very short period of time captivated a country and world, it has to show black people that anything is indeed possible. I often write, and look for stories that impact the urban areas of our major cities. I hope that black people who are living in poverty, struggling to make ends meet, and just raise children to be productive citizens will wake up today with a little bit more hope that "change" is indeed possible. Obama won this election because he had the requisite skills, and composure to "close the deal". He ran the best campaign in history, and overcame what appeared to be insurmountable odds to make history.

Hopefully, this generation of young people will understand the significance of this event, and look beyond trying to become the next Jay-Z, or Kobe Bryant, and not necessarily aspire to be Barack Obama, but productive individuals who are respectful of their ancestor's struggles and strive to be the best that they can be in our world of opportunity.