Beyond Obama's Skin Color (Jakarta Post, INDONESIA)

Many of Americans are not unaware that Barack Obama's mother was a white woman from Kansas. Nor do I think that Americans need a wake up call, with the invasive ring tone "Obama is not black!"

Obama's victory is worthy of being referred to as "historical." Moreover, not only is his achievement novel, it is also significant because of the fact that the United States of America is a country wherein just decades ago, the color of one's skin, determines whether one is inferior/superior to another.

The fact is that skin color is salient, and it used to be of consequence in the history of the United States. So when the day came that I saw a man of a color moving beyond the impasse, proving that humanity can progress, my heart was moved.

And forgive me if I rushed and bought newspapers and magazines the morning after the election to get myself a piece of history. I do not think anyone consciously intends to repeat racial stereotypes by referring to Barack Obama as the first "black" president.

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