The election of Barack Obama as president of the United States of America is a giant step toward the commencement of serious racial dialogue, rather than graduation from America’s often racist past.

King’s vision of the “Beloved Community” did not miraculously appear when Obama moved past the magic 270 electoral college votes he needed. America proved itself capable of electing an African-American, Harvard-educated, best selling-author as its 44th president. That commendable and tremendous cultural leap for this country is well worth applauding.  

But, is that same America capable of addressing a criminal justice system that incarcerates people of color at rates far out of proportion to their population in this country? That and similar questions remain on America’s conversational agenda. 

Whether President-elect Obama will be free to succeed or fail on the basis of his character and his charted course for America, rather than on the basis of his color, remains a question for us. 

Yes, we have elected the first African-American president of the United States. Our next step is to elect a president who happens to be African-American. Last night was a serious step in that direction.

The Rev. Dr. Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III
Executive Director, American Baptist National Ministries