Living in one of the nicer parts of urban Philadelphia, between Rittenhouse Square and University City, I see bits of the best and worst of a city on a near-daily basis. I have to slide my money under bulletproof glass at the gas station next door; I try to carry bills smaller than $20s because it's annoying to the clerk who just did a money drop. But I also see people talking to, asking help from, and just generally getting along with strangers.

However, more importantly than the commiseration with strangers, I was privileged with seeing the impact of President-elect Barack Obama's win on Election Day. I certainly don't live in a racial monoculture -- there are many people of all races that live in my neighborhood. However, I could tell a movement was afoot: the seemingly endless signs in windows for Obama, the crowds that gathered on street corners on Election Day to cheer for him, and the impromptu gathering at City Hall after his win was announced.

Today, walking to my car, I saw an Asian-American child with an Obama patch stitched into his backpack and an African-American child wearing a hoodie that said "First Black President" on it.

2pac, I think we're ready to see a black President now.