A change in attitude

From The Times of London:

The world has been fascinated and profoundly moved by this election most of all because of what America is — a nation founded on universal aspirations, and thus a mirror to humanity. For two centuries that mirror has seemed irreparably cracked by the legacy of slavery and segregation, a pernicious and enduring racism that remains a factor in the blighted lives of so many of the poor blacks among whom Mr Obama launched his political career. He is not the last role model they will ever need, but he is the most powerful proof his country has produced that it is ready to judge them by the content of their character, not the colour of their skin.

[Snip]

Yesterday President Bush called this election “a triumph of the American story”. It has been exactly that. America may have faltered in its efforts to export democracy, but this time, at home, it has delivered a masterclass in the real thing.

If nothing else, the election of Barack Obama has reminded the world that this great country of ours is capable of redemption. We still have a long way to go (Guantanamo?) but it is going to be really nice when the rest of the world doesn’t hate us anymore.