Barack Obama (BBC News)

So many times throughout the years I have wondered what my parents would think about changes I experience.

My dad worked hard for civil rights in San Francisco, my mother fought blacklisting in real estate.  I spent Thanksgivings at the Booker T. Washington center handing out dolls to black kids.  I helped wash dishes after fund raisers.  It was just what we did, as a liberal family in San Francisco in the 50’s and 60’s.

My 14th birthday party was a bust because of the death of Martin Luther King in 1968.  Rioting was expected (but never happened) and no one was inclined to be out on the streets, lamenting his death by staying inside in shock and fear for what the event boded for the future.

As liberal and forward thinking as my parents were, I remember my mother commenting when she saw me walking down Holloway holding hands with my black boyfriend, James.  She was shocked.  I was shocked by her being shocked.

These reminiscences are from my teen years, and I’m now 54.  I can’t believe it’s taken this long, but finally I see that the US is able to evaluate a candidate without focusing on the color of his skin.  I am thrilled in what Obama’s win says about the people of the United States.

I know my parents (dead since 1970 and 1982) would be thrilled to see that it is possible for Obama, a passionate, smart, thoughtful, serious black man, to be elected President of the United States of America. I know I am.