Many feel as if equality has finally been reached with the election of the first non-white president of the United States.

“In light of Obama being elected, reality of race and gender equality becomes more practical,” said Bertrand Simpson, 1st Ward Alderman of DeKalb and director of law school admissions at NIU.

This election stood as a proud occasion for those in the African-American community as well as other minority groups.

“The succession of a man of color into the highest office in the land is a momentous occasion for more than those who share his skin color,” said sophomore English major Drui Combs. “It means that the limitations that have for so long kept minorities at bay are finally beginning to fade.”

“On a practical end, it means one more road block or barrier to success has been torn down,” Simpson said. “The highest thing you can aspire to be is president; now it is actually open to anyone who is a part of the American family; not just white men.”

Todd Yeary, associate director of the Center for Black Studies, said he thinks in terms of perception of race there are a couple things that have come from this election.

“With the younger generation significantly influencing the outcome of the election, the perceptions of race will be based on the generation you’re a part of,” he said.

Yeary also said he thinks the election of Obama has allowed the country to bridge the gap between two generations of race: the generation of the Civil Rights Era of the 1950s and ’60s and the generation of voters between the ages of 18 and 30.

Many felt the excitement of electing the country’s first African-American president regardless of their race.

“It gives [minorities] such a tremendous role model,” said political science professor Barbara Burrell. “I think it’s terribly exciting and meaningful that we’ve elected an African-American to the highest office in the country.”