This doesn't mean that history is forgotten or that the struggles during the Civil Rights Movement should somehow now be marginalized. But today is an important day in American history and should be recognized as such.

In Obama we see an excitement that transcends policy and agenda. In electing Obama we are recognizing a new direction in politics. The world is a complicated place. A dangerous, noisy, static filled ball of yarn that will forever be tangled. Obama doesn't promise a way out of the maze. For there is no true exit anyway. But what he gives hope to is the notion that this country may finally act as it preaches. That life's not a collection of 'I', but a community of 'We'. That we are only as strong, as successful and as happy as individuals as the community is. Our sermons on Sunday across the land and across theologies declare 'we are our brother's keeper' but as a nation we have been reluctant to truly live in such a manner. But today we have brought that ideal into our day to day. A hope that our president is strong enough to face our challenges head on and smart enough to manouver us through the complicated maze of life. A president who has the ability to think and slow the world down before jumping to decisions and actions. Just the type of man we should want as our leader, above and beyond policy beliefs. Embrace the next four years. It is the beginning of a new approach towards politics and it's success or failure will certainly shape the world for generations to come.