Behold: The Big Picture

Blogs are usually not the place for it, but for today, let us behold the bigger picture.

In the middle of the drama surrounding the Clinton concession-vigil, a profound, historic event has occurred this week, unnoticed and uncelebrated. This was the week it became clear: A political party in our country is poised to nominate an African-American candidate who has an excellent shot at becoming president of the United States.

Through the drama of the horserace, which isn’t officially over, no one mentions this fact. Anything can happen; many disruptions could occur before Obama secures his party’s nomination. But as long as he holds his delegate lead, it won’t be handed to Clinton by the superdelegates. Barring something tragic or earth-shattering, Obama will be nominated on Aug. 28, on the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech.

Through all the venom, the anger, the hurt feelings, bitter rivalry and cynicism, who among us is not moved by America breaking this ground and realizing at least part of King’s dream? There is still much to be done, but this first step, even if Obama loses this election, is progress that is long overdue. No one has to agree with Obama, support his policies, or vote for him to be moved by his success against odds that seemed insurmountable to all of us but him. Whether we are white or black, male or female, Republican or Democrat — this is a moment in our nation’s history, unimaginable for so long, that we are more than fortunate to witness.

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