The Editor, Sir:

Today (November 4) will go down in history as a most significant day, not only for the Americans, but also for the entire world. Many of us were cautiously optimistic that Barack Obama could win the presidential election, but most persons were literally on the edge - with all fingers and toes crossed.

If we were told a couple years ago that an African-American would be selected as president of the United States of American (USA), we would have dismissed it as wishful thinking on the part of of black people, not only in the USA, but also throughout the world.

The wind of change could be felt. As I stood in line for more than two hours in Bridgeport, Connecticut observing the procedures and the steadfastness of the voters it became more obvious that something was about to happen. Despite the inordinately long wait and some level of disorganization on the part of the election officials, the voters were not deterred. All ethnic groups appeared to be singing the song of change and there were no obvious demarcation brought about by race.

Many persons see Obama as the best person to start the unification process - a black father and a white mother; an American mother and an African father. Certainly, the face of America is changing or has changed and the Americans need to embrace this reality.

We must congratulate the president-elect Barack Obama, and be grateful that we are around to experience this historic occassion. Jamaica, there are many lessons that we must learn from this historic event.

I am, etc.,

PAT BIGNALL

wilbig@cwjamaica.com.