He looked like a hero, and that was the problem. His apparent integrity frightened us at first. Then it became the reason we chose him. We voted for Obama because he appealed to our better angels, because we wanted to be better.

And it worked. One of the most profound and least remarked-upon effects of this presidency is the speed with which doubt that America was "ready" for a black president has come to seem absurd. That doubt, which was nursed by people of all races, has been exposed for what it is: a delicate hatred, or self-hatred, on its very best behavior.

We have him to thank for shattering that hatred, for showing us that, without knowing it, we were ready to do the right thing. Now it's our turn to return the favor.