Election Day was an especially momentous day in American history this year, as our country has elected our first African-American president, Senator Barack Obama. Millions of Americans tuned into the election coverage last night, anxious to see the results. Many were thrilled when Obama won with a significant lead over Republican candidate John McCain.

What does this mean for our country? Well, first of all, it means that our country has come a very long way over the years, coming out of an era of extreme racial discrimination during the Civil Rights Movement only less than half a century ago. Blacks have not long had the right to vote, much less run for president. Obama’s victory marks a significant change in our nation’s historical background of prejudice.

Also, Obama’s victory marks the end of an 8-year streak of a Republican-dominated White House. We can expect to see many changes in our country, hopefully for better than for worse. A liberal White House will bring a new wave of thought, a wave that many Americans have been waiting almost a decade to see.

Regardless of which candidate got our votes, we should feel proud to have participated in our great American democracy. For a majority of the students on campus, this was the first presidential election in which they’ve had the opportunity to vote. Skyline’s extraordinary political activism over the past month or so, as students became active in encouraging voter turnout, is commendable. It’s also a giant “up yours” to the naysayers who doubt college students’ ability to be informed and active in political movements.

Let’s not lose that fire in our bellies, as there is still a great number of pressing issues in this country that need our attention. Just because the election is over does not mean we should stop caring. We are the future of this nation, and it’s time to start acting now.