“We are and always will be the United States of America” those words spoken by Barack Obama have so much more meaning for all of us today. Last night I ventured to my local library to return some books and realized it was not only an early voting site but an actual voting precinct. Cars were everywhere, and there on the sidewalk were two white females from the Obama campaign with signs that read “If you have had a problem voting, talk to me.” What struck me was that they were talking to anyone. They did not ask who you planned to vote for, just simply did you have a problem voting and how could they help.

On my way out of the library I stopped and told them how much I appreciated the fact that they were there to help their fellow citizens. They both graciously smiled and thanked me for the words of encouragement.

What struck me as I entered my car was that America was finally awake, no matter if you were for McCain or Obama, we had walked away from our obsession with the TV, shop til you drop, and sports around the clock to realize that our country was in trouble. That as the tribe of America, we had to rise up and let the world know we had taken our eye off the ball but at this moment we were clear and focused on our responsibility to this nation we take for granted but also love.

I will admit that the election of Obama for me as a black person is a huge accomplishment, but in the same breath I have to also say it is a huge accomplishment for every Anglo, Asian, Hispanic, and Native American person in America as well. The mere fact that all these different groups were able to work together was symbolized by those two women on that sidewalk, on a cold, dark, night willing to help a fellow citizen.

So let us all take a moment and bask in the glow of the fact that change has come to America, that we have awakened from a long slumber. We all now understand that every vote counts but our responsibility does not end with casting that vote. As one woman interviewed in Harlem said it “We now have to hold Mr. Obama accountable, and he must hold us accountable as well.”