Column by Wesley Robinson

Today, America is in the midst of probably the most important historical changes in its relatively short history, and all over the television, internet and in the newspapers, there is a sentiment that we are experiencing the effects of post-racial America; for example, last week a black man officially became the president of a country that was believed to be recovering from the “birthmark” of slavery, as Condoleezza Rice put it.

According to a CNN survey, 69 percent of African Americans feel that Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream has been realized by President Barack Obama’s victory and subsequent presidency of at least the next four years. As elated as I am to have seen this accomplishment, I realize that the 31 percent of people, who do not believe the dream has been realized, probably feel, as I feel, that there is still work to be done. Obama’s victory is great, but there is still so much more to be done to create a post-racial America. In fact, we are currently laying the foundation for post-racial America that will shape the way race and culture is viewed locally and globally.

From issues in the sports world, like hiring more minority coaches in football, to social justice issues, like the disproportionate number of African Americans serving the maximum allowable sentence for weapons and drug charges, there has to be change, starting with recognizing the importance of what such skewed statistics mean to the makeup of this country. As shocked as I am when people are surprised when inequality rears its ugly head, I am even more stunned at the notion that inequality comes from laziness, apathy, and a lack of resolve; as if the fields that work to solve the ever present struggle of race are created and maintained for no purpose. That is not to say that a coach should not be hired on merit or a criminal should not be punished after being convicted of a crime, but it’s an issue of fairness and having truly equal opportunity and equal representation.

Having a black man as president does not change the system, instantaneously giving minorities the upper hand, but it does show that we are making steps in the right direction. Especially when that president understands that it is more than just a black and white issue. We are a country of immigrants, and the greatest strength of this country comes from having so many cultures, values and beliefs coexisting in a perfection seeking union. But without attention and appreciation of what we all bring to the table, we are waylaid with a mire of hatred, misunderstanding and intolerance; hence the need to consciously construct a post-racial America that understands the unique struggles of each and every group of people.

Securing a positive result for this project will be difficult. This will not be the first time such a major issue has been the prominent focal point of this country, but it is the first time that there will be the same philosophy at the top that there is at the grassroots level. And hopefully, the grassroots level must continue to push the agenda, prodding the collective conscious to make wide-sweeping change, as with the civil rights movement. However, instead of the post-racial American movement losing steam with the change of a generation, this movement has to be a perpetual living entity, like our nation’s desire to form a more perfect union. Whether we like it or not, all of the topics that have been addressed with this past election have to be analyzed, discussed and reconciled with the direction in which we need to be moving. Kentucky happens to be one of the more racially tense states in the nation, but our college football team has Joker Phillips in waiting to take over in the Southeastern Conference, which has only had one black head football coach to date, showing that the change is happening, and we all are a part of it.