It has already begun...
As a historian, I had to take a lot of classes on different aspects of history in order to earn my degrees. One class I took in graduate school was one in which I had no interest. Looking back, I clearly should have known better because it is an invaluable tool to anyone who fancies themselves a historian or any student of history. This class was, in short, History of Social Movements in the United States. Ultimately, the most valuable skills that I possess in regarding history and the events of today came from that class.
From a historical stand point, this is a great time to be living in the United States. We just elected our first black president, and the election that preceded this moment was historic in and of itself. Even before it was clear that this man was going to win the presidency, I knew that there were going to be signs of reactions in our society. Social movements in this country were not always radical and progressive, they were also reactionary and conservative. At this time, we should start paying attention to the different reactions people in this vast country are going to have to the changes that are occurring.
On election day, the first clear sign was presented. Three states have banned gay marriage. Now, I know that this is something that Obama himself supported, and it can be argued that those voting for him also voted for the ban he encouraged. However, the truth is that civil rights in this country took a step forward and a step backward in the same moment.
Civil rights in this country took a step forward and a step backward in the same moment. I repeated that statement because it bears repeating. Whether you are happy about both, or glad for one and angry about the other, that is still a paradoxical moment in history.
I am glad to be alive to witness all of this historical action.