"We are entering the Obama years. That was clear as I listened to the new president take the oath and speak to onlookers, more than a million of whom filled every corner of the Washington Mall.

As Barack Obama’s words echoed and boomed throughout the District, I knew we were entering a time of change. The feelings of joy and elation seemed to pour from the crowd like a perfume of promise. Those emotions came through the TV screen, too; they captured me, and at times, I could feel tears well up.

That said, many of the TV talking heads followed a theme, which is that Obama is the first black president. That’s true, but Obama is much more than that. He is a political figure who has shown he’s intelligent, caring and committed to making this nation better. He also showed he can manage a national campaign so well that he overshadowed a serious candidate to be the first woman president and a war hero with many years of experience.

So, Obama is not president just because he’s black. He’s president because he’s presidential material, as evidenced by our landslide vote that put him in office.

When former President John Kennedy was inaugurated, I don’t believe there were constant commentaries repeatedly noting that he was the first Catholic president."

Get the Story:
COLUMNIST DORREEN YELLOW BIRD: A new chapter in U.S. history begins (The Grand Forks Herald 1/21)

More Dorreen Yellow Bird:
Yellow Bird: Another 'Fighting Sioux' committee (1/19)
Yellow Bird: Reviving the horse culture in the Plains (1/14)
Yellow Bird: Breast-feeding in public not indecent (1/12)
Yellow Bird: Two good resolutions for 2009 (1/5)
Yellow Bird: Staying on the holiday sidelines (12/30)
Yellow Bird: Tongue and other foods you don't eat (12/22)
Yellow Bird: Open doors beckon young children (12/17)
Yellow Bird: Fritz Scholder redefined Indian art (12/10)
Yellow Bird: Helping wildlife in North Dakota (12/8)
Yellow Bird: Thankful for family on Thanksgiving (11/26)
Yellow Bird: Whiteclay, a heartbreaking town (11/24)
Yellow Bird: Can't wait for delicious deer (11/17)
Yellow Bird: Racism doesn't end with Obama (11/13)
Yellow Bird: No smoking or drinking in casinos (11/10)
Yellow Bird: Grief the same among all cultures (11/6)
Yellow Bird: Turtle Mountain Band takes on abortion (11/3)
Yellow Bird: Negative ads poison Senate race (10/27)
Yellow Bird: North Dakota landscape impresses (10/22)
Yellow Bird: Feeling helpless about the economy (10/20)
Yellow Bird: Examine Native American Party (10/15)
Yellow Bird: Sen. Obama a presidential winner (10/13)