President Barak Obama? Thoughts of a Young Black Male

With the 2008 presidential election still fresh on people's minds, a question that I have been asked often lately is how does it feel, from the perspective of a young black male to finally have an African-American elected as president of the United States? My short and simple answer to that question is that it feels good, but there's more to it than that.

Growing up in the United States regardless of your ethnic background you learn about all of the torment that African-American people have had to go through, throughout this country's history, all because of the color of their skin. President-elect Barack Obama's victory symbolizes much more than a victory for African-American people in United States. It should raise the esteem of every inferior, underprivileged, unconfident dreamer that desires, but does not believe, that they can achieve greatness.

Barack Obama's victory doesn't just make African-American people feel good because he is African-American. It gives us a sense of self confidence, that nothing but self can truly stop us from achieving whatever it is we want to achieve. It personally makes me feel like my goals to become a self-made millionaire are small and can be accomplished with ease. Every person who feels that they are not able to do a thing because of the color of their skin, or that they are not given a fair chance at something because they are a minority can use this victory as motivation.

African-American people have gone from being treated as less than human in this country, to becoming commander-in-chief of this country. Even though it took a few hundred years for things to change, the time has finally come. Racism still exists as it always will. For this reason, Barack Obama's presidential victory should mean a lot more to people, specifically minorities, than just having a president that we feel can relate to us. It should help us all realize that our potential to achieve big things in life is greater than our ethnic backgrounds.

The 2008 U.S. presidential election should be a symbol of victory for any and every person in an underdog position. The words "overcome and conquer" should be more real to minorities in this country than ever before. This new sense of ability to achieve great things should not only motivate young people in the United States, but should motivate people worldwide. You can accomplish anything you put your mind and hand to.