Barack Obama's Jan. 20 inauguration could be a line where future scholars mark the start of a new era of racial tolerance in America. At the same time, scholars and even Obama loyalists warn that the ultimate meaning of his ascension shouldn't be written into the history books just yet.
The Obama election says much about race relations in the United States today. It illustrates that a country ripped apart over civil rights little more than a generation ago is now calmly ready to embrace an African-American president.
"Fifty years ago the battles were over whether blacks and whites could go to the same school or eat in the same restaurants," said John Geer, editor of the Journal of Politics. "The fact that an African-American has been elected is pretty amazing."
Race relations are still evolving in America, however. Obama won an election that arguably any Democrat could've won. He still has to prove himself an effective leader. And he'll lead a country that's become more politically polarized during the last 20 years.
The consensus, though, is that Obama's election at least shows that race barely matters to most people when they pick a leader. In the vanguard of that change are people under 40. They grew up in an America where people of color were routinely part of daily life - at schools and shops, and at sporting and social events.
Reinforcing the routine nature of such encounters were media images. After the late 1960s, it was more common for people of all races to appear in ads, star in TV shows, sports and movies, and win local, state and federal political offices.
"The election of Barack Obama is the logical next step" in that evolution, said Richard Morin, senior editor at the Pew Research Center.
That step, said Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., a veteran civil rights leader, is part of the continuing march toward a more tolerant nation.
"To see this young leader, beautiful family, lovely wife, two beautiful young daughters, it's going to send the strongest possible message not just to Americans," he said, "but to people around the world, that America is on its way to the creation of a more perfect union."
The Obama election says much about race relations in the United States today. It illustrates that a country ripped apart over civil rights little more than a generation ago is now calmly ready to embrace an African-American president.
"Fifty years ago the battles were over whether blacks and whites could go to the same school or eat in the same restaurants," said John Geer, editor of the Journal of Politics. "The fact that an African-American has been elected is pretty amazing."
Race relations are still evolving in America, however. Obama won an election that arguably any Democrat could've won. He still has to prove himself an effective leader. And he'll lead a country that's become more politically polarized during the last 20 years.
The consensus, though, is that Obama's election at least shows that race barely matters to most people when they pick a leader. In the vanguard of that change are people under 40. They grew up in an America where people of color were routinely part of daily life - at schools and shops, and at sporting and social events.
Reinforcing the routine nature of such encounters were media images. After the late 1960s, it was more common for people of all races to appear in ads, star in TV shows, sports and movies, and win local, state and federal political offices.
"The election of Barack Obama is the logical next step" in that evolution, said Richard Morin, senior editor at the Pew Research Center.
That step, said Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., a veteran civil rights leader, is part of the continuing march toward a more tolerant nation.
"To see this young leader, beautiful family, lovely wife, two beautiful young daughters, it's going to send the strongest possible message not just to Americans," he said, "but to people around the world, that America is on its way to the creation of a more perfect union."