Introduction
Many Americans from different cultural backgrounds celebrated after they elected Barack Obama to become the 44th president of the United States. This victory had both social and political implications. It was impossible for scholars to predict this victory several decades ago.
Many African Americans believed strongly that the event marked new era. After the victory, many political analysts identified new patterns that would determine the future of the country’s political system. This paper offers useful arguments and discussions to support the thesis presented below.
Thesis Statement
The election of Barack Obama as the first African American president was a major event that transformed the country’s history.
Barack Obama’s Election
Obama’s victory was a turning point after 400 years of legal segregation, prejudice, slavery, and racism. Obama’s election became a historic event that made it easier for the minority to achieve their objectives. The election was significant because many people had experienced numerous obstacles and inequalities in the United States.
According to Dawkins (2010, p. 12), “many African Americans were realistic about Obama’s victory”. Many people strongly believed that Obama’s victory would make more individuals happier than ever before. The situation produced new attitudes in order to deal with prejudice, slavery, and discrimination. Many people are currently dealing with these social malpractices.
The election of Barack Obama created new relations in the country. Barack Obama “was elected by African Americans, Hispanics, and White Americans because of his immense charisma, leadership skills, and talent” (Dawkins, 2010, p. 14). The people elected a leader whose competencies and abilities could transform the country.
Obama was the right person towards dealing with the challenges affecting the United States. Many cultural groups believed strongly that citizens must elect different leaders based on their strengths and abilities. This development “redefined the issue of race relations in the nation” (Dawkins, 2010, p. 14). This situation also explains how “the country has been dealing with racial prejudice and discrimination” (Miah, 2014, p. 1).
Finally, Barack Obama became a national symbol. He represented what the country could achieve in the future. It would be “wrong to place all social responsibility on a single individual” (Miah, 2014, p. 1). This fact explains why every person should be ready to transform America and make it a prosperous nation (Miah 2014).
This practice is necessary because some inequalities are still common in the country. For instance, “there are several disparities in healthcare, employment, and education” (Miah, 2014, p. 1). Such inequities were evident in the country before Barack Obama became the president. Every American leader should support the goals of the American nation. This practice will be critical towards empowering every citizen in the United States. Obama therefore remains the best symbol of nationality.
Conclusion
The United States should deal with inequalities in order to achieve most of its economic goals. Barack Obama is a competent leader whose skills and ideas can make the country prosperous. This fact explains why the election of Barack Obama as the first African American president transformed the country’s future.
Obama’s victory was a turning point because every minority group had suffered due to legal segregation, prejudice, slavery, and racism. It is also agreeable that some inequalities and challenges are still evident in this country. This situation explains why every politician and leader should identify new strategies in order to address the challenges affecting the country.
Reference List
Dawkins, M. (2010). Mixed Messages: Barack Obama and Post-Racial Politics. Fall, 30(2), 9-17.
Miah, M. (2014). What Obama’s Victory Means About Race and Class.