From "yes we can," to "yes we did"

By Cheri Thomas

Even the day after this historic election, I still have not fully comprehended what this all means, for the country, for blacks, and for me as an individual. In the coming days and weeks, hopefully I will find myself in a better position to articulate this.

For now, I will do my best to sum up my thoughts.

Last night, I had the pleasure of co-hosting a radio show with Janet of Black Political Thought, giving live election updates as they came in. Before the end of the broadcast, we knew that baring any unforeseen shenanigans, there was absolutely no way that McCain could win.

After the broadcast, I gave my husband a peck on the cheek, and we hugged knowing that this was really going to happen. Barack Obama, a black man, was going to be President of the United States of America.

I called my mother, and it was during this conversation that the tears began to fall. I thought of all the people who had been part of the struggle. The emotion of knowing that their fight has not been in vain got the tears flowing.

The voices of those who still sanctioned division on the basis of race have been nullified. Not just black Americans, but Americans as a whole have spoken. And the voice of America says that we can judge our candidates by the content of a person's character, rather than the color of their skin.

In spite of those who said it couldn't be done, yes we did.

In spite of the race-bating tactics infused into this campaign, yes we did.

In spite of false accusations of socialism, yes we did.

In spite of attempts to call him a terrorist, yes we did.

In spite of the odds that there has never been a black President, yes we did.

In spite of it all,

YES.

WE.

DID.

As many have said, it is now that the real work begins. Just as the collective "we" elected Barack Obama, the individuals that make up that "we," must also work in our own communities and cities to help make the change that we want a reality.

Barack Obama cannot do it alone.