What Obama's Victory Means for American Youths

As I watched Barack Obama claim victory as the 44^th president of the United States, I couldn't hold back the tears as I reflected on how far he had come, on how far this nation had come. Obama's victory as the first president of color is tremendous not just for blacks, but for all Americans, particularly youths of color.

Young people who sometimes find excuses for their shortcomings do not have excuses anymore, at least not in terms of race. As a school teacher, I often come across students who are not performing to the best of their ability. And when asked why some would resort to blaming others instead of taking personal responsibility. Obama's victory has in some ways eradicated that excuse. You can no longer claim that you are "black" or "Mexican" and therefore should be felt sorry for. Obama has shattered the glass ceiling to the extent that not even sky can limit the distance that youths of all races could go. You can indeed be whom or what you chose to be. You can occupy the highest office in the land as long as you apply yourself.

With that said, we must acknowledge the people who got us here. The Frederick Douglass of the slavery era, the Harriet Tubman, the Abraham Lincoln of emancipation proclamation, the John F. Kennedy of civil rights, the Rosa Parks, the Martin Luther King Jr., the Jesse Jackson, and the countless other men and women of various walks of life who have made this a truly historic and remarkable day in America. Kudos to all you trailblazers who made Obama's path and our path a little less tedious.

Now, youths of America, you must not stop here. As Obama has said on many occasions, this journey is not a journey of one party or one man, but of all Americans. You are being called to join forces by being the best you can be so as to uplift yourself. In so doing, you will be uplifting your community, your nation, your world. Make an even bigger trail for the next generation. "Yes, we can!"