No matter where one falls on the political spectrum, all can agree that Barack Obama's election to the Presidency is a historical moment. Now, this blog is not political in nature, but I have been thinking about the relationship between anxiety and racism. I've heard from clients about their wondering if they were treated more harshly by police because of their race, or their unease over sitting through American History class, only to hear of nothing of their people's contributions. It's these incidents--sometimes subtle in their racism, sometimes overt--that feed the anxieties of people of color about their place and the value of their personhood in this society.
I am not so naive as to believe that Barack Obama's presidency will end racism in this country, but I am hopeful that it will bring the subject to the attention of people who think racism is no longer an issue in this country. I'm also hopeful that it affirms that there is a place at the table for people of all backgrounds in this society. We still have a long way to go, but today's children stand to inherit a future in which anyone can ascend to the government's highest offices, and that's a great place to start.
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