Obama Era to Break Down Barriers?

Jan. 22, 2009 — -- The following is a commentary by ABC News' Sam Donaldson. Click here to view a video version of his latest essay.

Everyone is doing stories about the changes taking place as a result of Barack Obama's historic presidency. Leave it to the venerable Atlantic Magazine to suggest the most provocative.

Here is its cover story, titled, "The End of White America?"

Well, certainly things are different. Take one minor but telling indication concerning the Washington party "A" list.

Naturally, members of any new administration are suddenly in demand when hosts and hostesses make up their seating charts. But there's more going on here now than that.

Prominent African-Americans have been on the "A" list for years, of course -- Colin Powell, Vernon Jordan, Bob Johnson and others. But now, many other African-Americans who are not members of the administration or super-prominent are finding their mail boxes suddenly full of invitations from their new best white friends. Some of this is a bid to be seen to be "with the program." But, there is a sense that here at the center of the Obama era, the color line is crumbling in ways that are both genuine and welcome.

Another indication, not quantifiable, is the feeling that whites and blacks well apart from socially prominent classes are treating each other with more civility and respect. Doors being held open, friendly greetings to the black janitors who are still pushing their scrub carts along the hallways, friendly chats with the cab drivers rather than the terse request to "take me to Reagan Airport."

So, is it the end of white America…meaning the dominance of whites in our society?

The Atlantic Magazine article which raises the question says, correctly we all recognize, that racial attitudes, distinctions and stratified classes still exist, but the article concludes that this moment is a bridge to breaking down the old ways, a movement led by young people, and a movement that now is moving at an accelerating pace thanks to Barack Obama's success.