i think all the pictures of a black president are taking attention away from the fact that he is going to continue the same policies

[stitch]

i just think that the media is so caught up in all the photo ops of having a non white president, and bringing up all the race history, that they are forgetting that change doesnt happen immediately.

Actually everything I read seems to be going on about the impossible weight of expectations and how he's inevitably going to disappoint. I think after 8 years of W., we deserve some space to celebrate before getting back to politics as normal.

well yes, but i think the celebrations are going on for so long, that it is detracting now.

I think the Americans are allowed to be a little bit self-congratulatory. It's only been a week after all. Though I do agree that the emphasis on his colour detracts from the actual man he is.

We-ell, he has already said he is going to reverse several of the Bush legacies, eg on stem cell research and drilling in wilderness areas. And he's not even president yet. I think he should be given a chance. I BELIEVE.........

I think you are underestimating how momentous this occasion is for all those people (black people, particularly, but also young people) who were previously totally disengaged from politics. It's a great moment. Let us all enjoy it.

ACtually, I believe Obama didn't say anything of the kind. His chief of staff did.

I agree there is way too much attention to having elected a black man. It detracts from his other qualities -- for which people voted. Surely we should we joice that we have achieved racial equality when a black man/woman is elected and no one really notices that he/she is black.

Well as a black person, I think more celebration is needed. For goodness sake, considering the treatment of blacks (as well as Asians, Aborigines, Maoris and the near anniliation of Native Americans)by whites since Europeans carved up the world amongst themselves, how anyone can begrudge the celebrations and happy mood to mark this momentous and significant occasion is quite frankly, pathetic.

I already know black children whose aspirations have soared because of Obama's victory. They say if he can do it, so can we because hard work, commitment and self-belief as well as seizing opportunites when they present themselves can make a difference. No longer will these children allow themselves to be put in a box and told that they cannot accomplish their goals because of their skin colour or where they live or because of the schools that they go to or because society deems them unworthy, insignificant or of lesser ability or intelligence!

The naysayers really make me sick with the narrow-minded negativity!

Some change might happen immediately.

Stem cell research

Guantanamo

Right to abortion counselling

Aside from that his commitment to put aside ideology in favour of empiricism is, to say the least, a relief.

Am sick of people saying "nothing will change"...

How the sod do you KNOW that?

ARGH.

Actually, nothing is going to happen until January 20, when he is sworn in as the president. It is a bit silly to judge him before he even takes office.

hey, just the fact that he's not another narrow-minded republican is change enough for me. I also very strongly agree with spokette!!! so many kids finally have a hero that they can relate with. someone who's in the minority and isn't a rap star. i think it's about damn time and i can't wait to see how he does as the new president!

AthenNoctua

"Actually, nothing is going to happen until January 20, when he is sworn in as the president. It is a bit silly to judge him before he even takes office."

Absolutely but it does not surprise me. It is something people of colour are used to so in that respect, nothing has changed.

OP I am a middle-aged white woman living in Northern England and I was over the moon Mr Obama was elected,I think for those African-Americans who faced such predjudice merely 40 or so years ago it must be worth celebrating for a good while!!!The sight of Rev JJ with tears in his eyes and the interviews I saw with older Americans moved me to tears.Yes he has a terrible inheritance from Dubya but it is a time to be celebrating something historic,I feel.

i agree with spokette - people have every right to celebrate and to celebrate the fact that a non-white president was voted in - regardless of what he achieves as a president or whether his policies are successful - his story is an inspiration to us all.

Amen!

Well I am pleased he won, will make a better world for us all, and yes the fact he is a black man has been a major issue.I on the other hand, am sure that the reason he was elected has nothing to do with colour and more to do with the fact he is an educated, intelligent, forward thinking man, whos policies are very different from bush the war mongerer.

It takes a special person to light a fire under so many, long msy he continue to inspire all children, that they can do and be whatever they dream of, and us oldies that some times the good guys do win!

Stitch 'the celebrations have gone on too long now'

It's been a week, FGS!
50 years ago African Americans were unable to use the same services, nor were entitled to the same rights as white Americans.

Now there are going to be two African American children running round the corridors of the Whitehouse when their Father takes office as President.

A cause for many years of celebration, surely, regardless of the success or otherwise of Obamas term as president.

Agree entirely with Spokette

Ditto Spokette (ooh, you're getting a lot of support here - fancy running with me for first black, female PM? We could jobshare). This is going to sound awfully vomity and cheesy, but I actually think Obama's election is as significant a historical event as Nelson Mandela being freed and elected (go on, stone me if you will).

I'm also balanced enough to understand that he is a politician, and a flawed human being. But what an achievement - never thought I'd see it happen so soon. So let's bloody celebrate!

Can we also raise a toast to George Dubya...for making it possible? Just imagine if he'd been good at his job - they might have just voted in another Republican!

I agree with MrsTH. I think it compares very well with Mandela's release. And he is already announcing very different policies. His manifesto was totally different to what is going on now. It is plain stupid to say that nothing will change and I wonder what the motivation is to even say it.

"I wonder what the motivation is to even say it"

Well I think it is obvious.

All my friends/family are still walking on cloud 9 because of Obama's victory. None of us believed that the Americans (specifically whites) could look past his skin colour and vote for him based on his policies, character and vision. They proved us wrong and I applaud them. It has happened in my lifetime and I did not believe it would. I will continue with my celebrations!

I run a team of 15 scientist/engineers - they are all white men and ages range from 22yo to 48yo. They are still talking about Obama's victory now because they all wanted him to win and they have witnessed something historical. The younger ones even stayed up to watch the election unfold on TV so did not come in until 11am the next day but I forgave them.

Only an spiteful, miserable idiot would begrudge anyone celebrating this momentus occasion.

It must be awful for the mean spirited begrudgers at the moment. Do spare a thought for them please!

Having just reread the thread title -
"I think all the pictures of a black president..."

What would you prefer, pictures of a white president? How would we manage that, then? Everyone's going to have to get used to pictures of a black president, doing all kinds of presidential things. Good thing too.

And agree that to get from black people risking intimidation (and even death, on occasion) when they tried to vote, to a black family in the White House in less than 50 years is a huge achievement. I think we deserve at least 2 weeks to celebrate! Mrs.TH is right, W actually managed to do something positive, however inadvertently

Totally agree with spokette.

well he is NOT the president yet. He is only the president elect. The transition period is especially tricky this time for him and Bush. He has big issues like the economy and Iraq to plan for. He cannot announce completely different policy on Iraq today and jepordise operations on the ground!! On what basis/evidence do we think his policies will be a continuation of W's?

Okay maggie, I'll spare a thought for the "mean-spirited begrudgers" you mentioned. Here it comes...

hahahahahahahahahahaha! Suckerrrrrrrs!