As the world erupts into euphoria over the ascension of Barack Obama, a black man, into the white house, the issue of race in American society becomes more glaring than before: What does Obama presidency mean to the minority population living in the U.S?

While the ascent of Obama to the pinnacle of power was one fought on principles, sweat and cerebral capital, the color of Obama’s skin can not be overlooked.

If Barack Obama’s script had been read by one “Barry O’Brien”, a white male, Harvard-trained lawyer and community organizer, would November 4 have ended differently?

What I think is that Obama’s race made the campaign more exotic and interesting. Being black made his message more resonant and compelling given the historical overview of the American society. I believe the script would have lost some of it potency though if Barack had been a “Barry”, but the outcome would have remained the same – a democrat president would have emerged on November 4 all the same.

However, it was clear that Obama’s victory wasn’t driven solely by black votes. In fact, his votes came from all demographic groups, mostly from those ages 50 and under, many of whom were new voters energized by Obama’s message of hope, and well educated mid-aged professionals.

What Obama’s black face did was add some flavor to the process – which by itself isn’t a bad thing. As symbolic as November 4 was, it will be naïve to assume that America has now overcome its racial barriers. To make this assertion is to go too far. Race is still there; maybe less potent, but it’s relevant.

It’s simply going to take many Obamas – with help from several “Barry O’Briens” of course — to neutralize the effects of more than 200 years of racial injustice and tension and push America into a post-racial society. This is the cold truth.

America isn’t there yet, though few steps closer to the point when race will not be an issue any more. The end point is still several steps away though, after all, it was 45 years after Martin Luther King’s dream that black-faced Obama got elected into the White House.

Credit: Malcolm X, Bbarack Obama and Martin Luther King Drawing by Harry N Seymou,

Reuters video footage:
And African-Americans say his victory still does not imply that America is putting its racial problems behind it.

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4. New York Post’s Cartoon – Offensive and Racial?
5. Race Discrimination Class Action
6. Michelle Obama: Dressing for the White House
7. American Sports and Racism