This is my 2nd election I've participated in. Unlike my 1st in 2004, this election means an awful lot to me. It would have taken everything short of a bullet dislodging into my cranium to stop me from voting. The early bird gets the worm, so with that in mind I voted around 6AM this morning. As of a result of my prompt sense of urgency to vote, I only waited a total of 15 minutes.

I remember growing up as a child and hearing elders constantly remind me there will never be a "Black President" in my lifetime. I wasn't offended, I just didn't understand why. I was too young to understand the significant mistreatment my people have endured in the past history of the United States. Sure I've read about the inhumane treatment during slavery and the struggles we had with freedom, but "reading" and "experiencing" are two different things. Before her death in January 2008, my grandmother always carried a chip on her shoulder when it came to this country. At every chance she could she would echo her frustration with me. It took years for me to realize my grandmother was only 1 generation removed from segregation, when Blacks weren't allowed to vote let alone read. With that said, going into my adulthood I've learn to accept the past as a blemish in history and move on. I've never been the type of person to blame racial oppression on social problems, or use my race as a justification towards my short-comings. Sure racism is still alive but America is obviously taking steps in the right direction by electing Senator Barack Obama as it's 44th President of the United States.

Obama brings something new to the table that other Black political figures seem to lack. No longer will our race of people be judged by Jesse Jackson's antics, or Rev Al Sharpton's boycotts. No longer will Bill Clinton be referred to as America's 1st Black President. Instead we have a voice that not only speaks for Black people, but America as a whole. It seems as if Obama has bridged the gap between social equality as well as racial barriers. Much of what he has already done has shaped the attitude of many Americans, so I'm sure his presidency will continue to embark on that pattern.

Final Thought: The irony that a man who based his whole campaign around "change" and "family values" loses his Grandmother one day before the election is proof that tomorrow isn't promised to anyone. A citizen of my city, a member of my church, and now the president of my country. Congratulations Obama from everyone here at the LiT Family!