I’m going to go out on a limb with this post, and it might cause an issue, but I think the message is positive and needs to be said.  Let me begin by saying I was born after the civil rights movement in the 60’s, and I’m Caucasian. 

I know the significance of the moment of electing an African-American after what this country has been through, but am I alone in thinking it’s not THAT big of a deal?  I never had a doubt that an African-American would be president.  The fact that people thought it would never be possible tells more about the perception than the reality. 

People in America, by in large, are not racists.  I’ve heard words and jokes through the years in private, but I’ve heard worse from Chris Rock about Caucasians on television.  However, I can honestly say that I have never personally witnessed anyone I knew treating another individual differently because of race.  I know I’ve heard of acts like this in the media, but they are rare and the exception, which is why they make news.  And the stories I’ve seen have been ALL kinds of racism, not just from a Caucasian directed at an African-American.

This is why I don’t see this election in the same light as maybe the generation before me.  I always knew it would happen, so it is not a surprise.  I can understand those who suffered before the 60’s doubting it, but I’ve heard so many people of my generation who say the same, and I don’t get it.

My only perspective comparison is being a woman.  I don’t have a doubt that a woman will one day run this country.  I don’t need to have a female president to point to in order tell my daughter that she can be there one day.  The defeat of Sarah Palin is not a defeat for women. 

One thing I hope happens from this election is that racism can be discussed in public and without fear of retribution.  Before the election, we saw so many writing articles warning that the only reason Obama wouldn’t be elected was racism (which I took as a scare tactic more than anything).  But look at the facts.  All races, all ages, and all areas voted for Obama. 

The election was about ideas, not race.  And that’s what this country needs to take to heart moving forward.  If something happens to you individually, don’t just ASSUME it was because of your color or your gender first.  I think that is one big step we can all take to recognize true racism and sexism and point it out rather than believing it is always there.

Footnote: This is what I mean.  On Fox and Friends, Al Sharpton just said “whites are beginning to … judge people by the content of their character and not the color of their skin.”  Beginning?  This is the kind of language that FEEDS the perception that Caucasians by in large are racists, and we’re not.

And here’s the Obama-worshipping Spike Lee on “Morning Joe.”  Just another example of the hate-filled crap that African-Americans spew freely about Republicans.  No one on this show questioned him!  His Republican bash starts at about 4:55. 

Minorities don’t come out as Republicans because this and this happens to them.  Lee talks about Republicans being hateful.  I wonder what he and his Hollywood friends say about people like Kelsey Grammer behind his back.