I have been thinking about the meaning of the results of the elections. Over the last few days, I have heard from commentators, musicians, friends, radio, and TV. There are few themes: race, maturity, and future.
Some voters were race sensitive and opted to vote republican. Others claimed that they were race neutral, that their vote was driven by issues and character. I doubt, however, that this group of voters were that neutral. For many liberals, the Obama's blackness was a plus; the election of a black man to become the president of the United States restores some of its reputation as a beacon for hope and progress. I believe that if Mr. Obama was white, many would not have voted for him. His blackness was his gem. Race played a role in every vote, a positive or a negative one.
America's vote for Mr. Obama is a sign a maturity, growth beyond the age of the cowboys, beyond the years of adolescence. Through the 2oth century, America went through the generation of the world wars and their children, the baby boomers. The presidents of the 20th century are bright examples of these generations. These generations took the US from the industrial age to the information technology revolution. But now, it is the era of the post baby boomers, their children. They played a large role in organizing, voting, and wining the election. It is a multicultural, connected, intellectual creative crowd. They live in large cities, own studios and small condos, and drive small cars. They stylish, but not in Brooks Brothers. They have a small personal space.
Last, the future. This is the beginning of the new American century. It is the time to put together the blue print for the coming 100 years. The constitution, in its spirit and not in its detail, will remain the inspiration for how to plan for a new era in a manner that will allow this nation to grow and spread good around the world.
