I am a freer man this morning. Freer than my ancestors, freer than yours, freer than I was only yesterday morning.

Barack Obama reminded us last night that his victory is a win for all of us. I agree wholeheartedly. It's not the last win we all need, but it's progress sufficient for carving a new face on Mt. Rushmore.

My home state, Missouri, was among the narrow losses in the electoral college for Obama. I had predicted a narrow win, so it saddens me to recognize I still live in a state that subscribes to racism in some quarters. Far from being a harsh observation, avowed racism was documented by exit polling here and actually discussed on St. Louis's local FOX affiliate last night. I don't know to what degree other states suffer from racism, but I suspect the map of red and blue states tells a deeper tale of color.

Still, I am freer today. Because, on the whole, my country overcame its original sin in a divinely inspired moment of public will. That courageous act of faith was, as Obama said, "a long time coming."

But it came.

It validated my hope, certified the faith that I felt might blind me if I held it up and tried to examine it too long against the face of the sun. Before last night, the idea that most voters in my country would grant the highest office in the land to an African-Amercan was mist and gossamer, something only potentially substantial. After last night, it became more than an oppressed people's long-held dream. It became real.

I am free today because more of my fellow Americans are free. I know the spirit that moved John McCain to stay in the Hanoi Hilton until others were released. I understand why my aunt Michelle marched in Selma alongside so many blacks. I understand why multitudes of African-Americans have sacrificed and fought for the equal rights to which our country has so far paid only lip-service.

Today, I am not a white American. I am by no stretch of empathy a black American. Today I am simply an American.

The election of Barack Obama does not eliminate racism and discrimination in this country. But it has disintegrated a mighty barrier that we rarely thought about unless we stood all our lives on the wrong side of it.

People of color are freer today. My country is freer. So am I.