What Obama represents for minority groups and women

While there has been much commentary on what the election of Barack Obama as the president of the U.S.A. represents to African-Americans, Obama also symbolizes hope for many other minority groups.

For a visible racial minority figure to take such a public position of power will undoubtedly have a ripple effect on how African-Americans and other racial minorities are perceived and represented. The proliferation of his image will help smash any assumptions that only white (or white men) can represent America. It may indirectly influence decisions made by anyone from investors and advertisers to casting agents in films when it comes to the social symbolism of minority groups in visual communication ranging from advertisements, movies, TV, media, and other forms of entertainment, which in turn influence public opinion through indirect means.

Although Obama beat rival Hillary Clinton and although the gender barrier still needs to be broken, Obama, in conjunction with Clinton's prominent campaign, does represent hope as well for women to break the political glass ceiling.

Conversely, Canada did already have its first female prime minister with Kim Campbell in 1993 (who wasn’t actually elected but was the appointed leader of the Conservatives when Brian Mulroney stepped down), but we have yet to have a visible minority as prime minister.

When it comes to gay marriage, however, Obama did explain in an interview with MTV that he does not support same-sex marriage. On the other hand, he is against overturning the California ruling that permitted gay marriage.