Presidential Election Creates New Possibilities for Minorities

Commentary Editor

  History changed forever on Election Day. President-elect Barack Obama made it to an office usually held by wealthy, white men.

   This election opens the door to future generations of minorities: women, Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans or any other minorities gender or race. This opportunity gives each and everyone the chance to say, “I have a chance to be president,"and have it not mean that you can succeed far beyond your limitations or situation.

   Minorities worked to gain access into local government,  state governments, the U.S.  Senate and Congress and now they will be able work towards the White House and the highest office in the United States of America.                                                                                                                 

   Hiram Revels became the first black senator in 1870.  Sandra Day O’Connor became the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court in September 1981.  Carol Moseley Braun became the first black senator in 1992. Hattie Wyatt Caraway became the first woman senator elected to the Senate in 1932.  Raymond Telles became the first Hispanic mayor in El Paso, Texas. Many more minorities achieved much beyond any situation they faced growing up.

   I guess the old proverb is true, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again." Minorities tried before and many have succeeded.  Obama follows the path of many minorities who made it into governmental positions. Sen. Hillary Clinton tried to make it on the road to become president, but in four years she will be able to try again.

   Who knows, in the next election a woman may make it to the White House and change the title of Mr. President to maybe Madame President, or whatever the title changes to. In this case, we may have a first gentleman. There may be the chance as well to have the first black female Supreme Court Justice, but only time will tell.

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