Is it just me or has the election of Barack Obama as our President affected the way "people" act towards other "people"?

I haven’t seen anything like this occurring, myself, and if I did see it firsthand, I’m not sure I’d know how to interpret it. It is new ground that has been broken, electing the first African-American president (and I am very happy for him and he deserved it for sure), and it might just be an event that is going to take some people more time than others to adjust to or accept.

I don’t know. I think I’ve been treating everybody pretty well lately as I’ve been in such a great mood since Tuesday evening.

I have to agree with AstroChuck. But heck, I live in the south, where people will tell you their life story during the course of an elevator ride.

One of my very good friends is an African American male. It’s interesting; Obama was my candidate early on, Clinton was his. When Clinton withdrew from the race, his support was for Obama. Since the election we have had a lot more to talk about, and interestingly enough, more in-depth conversations about the role of race in America and what Obama’s win means. I don’t act any differently around him, nor him around me, than seven years ago when we first met. If anything it’s been me acting stupid giddy that we elected a progressive Democrat!

I don’t know, I guess it’s mostly McCain supporters. They just look lost, sad even. And there’s this awkward look they give me and then they look away quickly. I’ve asked other black people and some have gotten the same awkward vibes.

Maybe it’s because the McCain supporters are sad about the election result but don’t want you to think the reason they are sad is because he is Black? That they are just sad because it’s not McCain? Thus the weirdness.

Hmm. My people are pretty conservative Republicans, and I have to say that even they are OK with Obama being elected because they view Obama’s policies as being potentially more centrist than McCain’s. Through much deliberation and argument, the concensus seems to be that Obama will surround himself with a team of advisors who will offer centrist views and policies that appeal to many Americans.

my sister and i had this very conversation wednesday. she said she noticed people acting differently around her as she pumped gas. i think i remember her saying people were smiling and speaking to her as though she had been elevated to a higher status level, as if she had become “visible” so to speak.

i thought it was my imagination…i’m a white woman always respectful of looking in peoples eyes to say hello in passing…..but i swear my black neighbors hold on a little longer….smile a little bigger…..maybe charliecompany34’s sister met many people that were not so respectful, i personally witnessed it often around town and other areas (i’m a flight attendant)...it’s a long time coming for us all to feel equal, a long, long time coming. doesn’t the air feel fresher? doesn’t the world seem different?

@ itsallgood: yes, it is a fresher world indeed!