As an American, I take great pride in the fact that a woman and a black man are potential candidates for the presidency of the United States. No matter what your political party..that has to be evidence of great change. Imagine what MLK JR would of thought of that just 40 years ago.

Thanks to eric Blauer for that comment posted on Friday’s loose thread.
It gets me to wondering, though, how far we’ve really come. Yes, the leading-contender status shared by Clinton and Obama is an important benchmark for us as a nation. But African Americans and women are not the only groups who have had to pry open the door that stood in the way of their full participation in the political process. How about gays, American Indians, the physically handicapped, Muslims? How about Eastern Europeans? Honestly, would a presidential candidate named, say, Serge Yevshenko stand a chance?
It’s my belief that our culture is still covered with numerous layers of intolerance, and while I’m pleased to see progress being made, I wonder if we have the dedication to keep going.