For weeks, I have been totally immersed in my work–reports on the impact of a criminal record on the employment opportunities of women, training sessions and meeting on reducing racial disparities in California’s juvenile justice system, research on gender fairness in the California Courts. The fatigue of tracking injustice was beginning to overwhelm me…

But last night, I couldn’t fight back the tears as I watched the electoral votes for Sen. Barack Obama reach–and far surpass–the magic number needed to win the Presidential Election. As my mother shouted and invoked the spirit of our ancestors who fought for this opportunity and as my 7-year old daughter celebrated and declared that politics were “actually interesting,” it was clear to me that the context for my work–and the work of my colleagues–is in such a phenomenal context at this moment.

Now is a chance to realize more than a dream; now is the time to seize an opportunity to fully embrace a working democracy. Across the globe, but particularly in this nation, people who grew up blanketed in racial injustice witnessed a significant barrier shatter before their eyes.

The best part about it is that we were a part of it. Each of us who gave what we could, who held conversations with “undecideds,” who cast their vote and dared to challenge this nation to step beyond its normal course to engage millions beyond the usual suspects–we played a role in this historic triumph. We made this moment happen in our lifetime. We raised the bar and our hyphenated exitence became less pronounced. Is there still work to do? Of course! But for the moment, we celebrate this tremendous achievement.

President-elect Obama (oh, that sounds good!), congratulations!

We look forward to taking this journey with you.