Last night one of the most incredible things in American politics happened. Barack Obama was elected the President of the United States of America. This morning I awoke to an appalling comment by a black person being interviewed in Philadelphia. Happy about the election of the first black President, this citizen expressed their joy by saying "He gonna do for us."

What??? I understand the joy in the black community that comes with the election of Barack Obama. I don't want to take anything away from them when it comes to this joyous victory; however, after Obama just gave a significant speech talking about hard roads, sacrifice, overcoming hardship and rebuilding America hand-in-hand, doesn't it seem a little naive - no, ignorant - to suddenly stand there with your hand out?

Now this person's comment is not indicative of the entire black race, but it's premise does deserve some analysis.

He gonna do for us.

The very election of Barack Obama into the highest office in America - and greatest job in the world - proves beyond doubt that although racism still exists, with hard work and dedication, anything in America is possible. Racism may be an obstacle, but it's no longer a barrier; and to stand there and proclaims that "he gonna do for us" does nothing but negate this great accomplishment.

Obama doesn't have to do anything explicit for the black race. He's already done the greatest thing that he can. He's become the President of the United States of America. And in a very Ayn Rand way, he's become that mythic figure, not to offer handouts, but to be an archetype of hope to aspire to.

He gonna do for us.

When I was in college I read Cornel West's "A Geneology of Modern Racism." In this essay he mentions the idea of elevating the black race to equal status and expresses distain for the very ideology that the black race needs to be elevated, as if they are somehow below the white race. Standing in the streets with a hand out expecting Barack Obama to "do" things for you because you're black is akin to believing that you need to have things done for you because you can't do them yourself - because you're somehow below the rest of America. This does nothing to advance the black race. It's a mistake and a slap in the face of all that civil rights activists have fought for - and all that Barack Obama has accomplished and aspired to.

We all hear comments, jokes, etc. about the "white man keeping the black man down." This may have been true during (and for a time after) the civil rights movement, but it isn't true anymore. White racism is not powerful enough to keep the black race down anymore. White racism can try - and it does - but it just isn't powerful enough unless it has help from the other side. White racism only becomes powerful enough when it is combined with black hopelessness - a hopelessness that no longer has any validity. I'm not saying that the black race has an easy road. I'm just saying that the black race is in full control of their own destiny. They can accomplish anything - if not with the help of white America, then in spite of white America. The opportunity is there - and that's what makes this country so great.

If Barack Obama has proven anything, it's that racism can be overcome. It's that racism is an old dinosaur set to become extinct. He has proven that any individual can aspire to be whatever they want, including the President of the United States. He has proven that with hard work, dedication and hope, you don't need handouts. Obama has shattered the barrier of what can be accomplished in America, and now is not the time to start looking for handouts.

In this America - during these tough times - we need to reiterate John F. Kennedy's words of "ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." It's time for Americans - black and white - to work harder, take responsibility in their actions, and look to Barack Obama as an inspiration of what hard work can accomplish, and of what America is capable of doing.