Column by Joe Gallenstein

Today, we witness a peaceful transition in a country that is again inspired by the ideals it was founded upon. While much of the world is in turmoil, and while we face our own crises, both foreign and domestic, we as Americans are joining together to celebrate the swearing in of the next president of the United States: Barack Hussein Obama.

Millions of Americans are estimated to attend the inauguration, millions more will be watching as he takes the oath of office. We are watching not for the pomp and circumstance, but instead for what this election truly means: The beginning of a new era in American politics— an era where people are willing to work with those from the other side, and an era where your race or class does not create a limit on the opportunities available for you.

There remains a lot to do, but with the leadership that now-President Obama demonstrates, we will be able to do much of what we need. Within days, we will see the end of the use of Guantanamo Bay as an illegal detention center. We will see the end of the so-called ‘black sites’ in Europe. We will see the Iraq War draw to a close in his term, real health care reform will finally take place, real emphasis on infrastructure, and we will again emphasize the need to take care of each other.

These changes will be important steps, and demonstrate what we already knew. After eight long years, this country is again moving forward. Each of these steps mark a dramatic departure from the previous administration, a departure that is long overdue.

The questionable legality of Guantanamo and its sister sites have potentially robbed us of the moral high ground in the War on Terror, and the war in Iraq has strained our relationships with our long-time allies.

Similarly, the lack of infrastructure resulted in the catastrophe of the response to Hurricane Katrina, and the government’s unwillingness to help those 45 million Americans who lack health insurance has resulted in many of them giving up on the idea that we are, in fact, in this together.

All of these changes are important, and demonstrate that we will, again, be moving forward. We, again, are standing up for the civil liberties. We, again, are standing up against the prejudices against women and minorities, and are, again, renewing the promise of the American dream. No longer will your class determine whether or not you have the right to health care, or determine the speed in which you are rescued in a natural disaster.

Not all barriers have gone by the wayside in this historic moment. There is not yet true equality in education, in pay. There remains in this society a definitive division between the haves and the have-nots. Today, in this country, our laws are not enforced in ways that apply equally to all classes or races. However, today we move forward with this great experiment, pushing forward ever closer in our search for equality.

For years, African-Americans had to fight for the right to be educated, given equal opportunity to education, and for the fundamental right to have a say in their society. Now, an African-American is the decider, the de facto leader of the free world. One more glass ceiling has come crashing down, and under now-President Obama’s leadership, more Americans will have the opportunity to live the American Dream.