Happy MLK Day

I had a few moments today, prior to taking my kids to see Paul Blart: Mall Cop to reflect on the life of Martin Luther King and to marvel that tomorrow we will elect our first African-American president. A friend said that she wished people would stop focusing so much on the fact that Barrack Obama is African American, that they should focus more on who he is and the job he will do for our country. I understand where she is coming from. It shouldn't matter whether the president is black or white, Jewish or Protestant, male or female. What matters is their character, their ability to lead and their moral fiber. On the other hand, I think Black Americans are justified in their jubilation.

40 years ago African-Americans took their lives in their hands when taking the bold step to register to vote. Now less than a half century later, an African-American is being sworn in as America's commander-in-chief. If my ancestors had been beaten and kidnapped and brought to this country in chains, bought and sold like pieces of farm equipment, made to feel like second class citizens for nearly four hundred years...Well, I think I'd celebrate too.

Our lives are measured by milestones both personal and public. In addition to my marriage and the birth of my children, I've witnessed the moon landing (as a very young child), the release of the Iranian hostages, the destruction of the Berlin Wall, the release of Nelson Mandela and now the inauguration of an African-American president.

I feel very lucky.