The world celebrated when Senator Barack Obama ascended to the presidency of the United States, the first African-American to do so. His election not only marked a new era in American politics but also a giant leap forward for race relations. Obama, his campaign staffers and his supporters have done what many thought was impossible. Collectively, we all worked together and made history. Now it is time for us to individually do our parts to make sure we, as African-Americans, continue to progress forward.

There are certain moments in U.S. history that have signaled a positive shift in the way Americans view race and injustices. The 1955 kidnapping and murder of 14-year Emmett Till for allegedly whistling at a white woman brought to light, for many white Americans, the constant fear blacks in the South lived in. In 1965, 600 peaceful marchers were attacked by state and local police on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama with billy clubs and tear gas. Television cameras captured the attacks and broadcast them to the nation. Many were horrified by what they saw and became active in the civil rights movement gained newfound support. More recently, Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath and the government’s failure to assist the people of New Orleans has renewed discussions around racial, social and economic injustice. Along the way, there have been leaders who have represented each step in America’s move toward true racial equality.  President-elect Obama is that latest symbol of hope. But he needn’t stand alone. 

As individuals, we have a responsibility to ourselves and our communities to guide this country in the direction of openness and fairness. For the most part, white people have, at a very basic level, done theirs. Sixty-one percent of those who voted for Obama were white. It has taken centuries, but now, finally, the majority of white people in America are comfortable with the idea of a black person leading this nation. This shows that old stereotypes are, if not erased, fading.

We can help eradicate these stereotypes by not playing into them. Young men: Put down your guns, pull up your pants, and pick up a book. Take your education seriously. Aspire to greatness. If you are a father, be responsible. Support your child financially and emotionally. Young women: Turn off the radio when a sexist and demeaning song comes on. It doesn’t matter if "the beat is hot;" you must have more respect for yourselves. If you don’t, how can others? Parents, raise your children. Don’t let the television or video games replace family time, time that can be used to guide and educate your child. Become active at their school, get to know their friends. Studies show that children with fully involved parents do better in school and are less likely to go to prison.

America is far from perfect, and Obama’s election alone won’t "cure" racial injustice.  But it can change perceptions. If whites are already beginning to see us differently, it is high time we begin to see ourselves differently. And we must act accordingly. 

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Judge Greg Mathis is national vice president of Rainbow PUSH and a national board member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

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