Yesterday's election was exciting and obviously historic for many reasons. Not only did the best candidate win overwhelmingly in the race for President; not only did America elect an African-American for President; but also, America elected a civil rights lawyer as President of the United States.
A critical effort that changed cultural norms, and helped 'set the table' for Senator Obama's run for President and subsequent victory, has been the enforcement of civil rights laws in America's work places. At offices and job sites across the country, enforcement of laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, gender and age has informed and educated many. People have seen harassing and hateful behavior punished. Employers have had to take steps to prevent illegal discrimination. These changes at the work site have helped change how people think and act.
On a day to day basis, it is hard to identify how these individual battles for change have changed our society. However, yesterday's victory by Senator Obama is a moment where those who have worked in the trenches, from the civil rights marchers in 1961 to lawyers today representing detainees in Guantanamo, can now see fruit from their efforts.
Congratulations to everyone who helped change America for the better!
And now, from the L.A. Times, a look back in photos at this past election and the long, and sometimes strange, trip it has been: link.
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