If Mr. McCain wins, here’s one question that will be loose in the land: “So how much of the vote went against Mr. Obama because he  is black?” We might take a longer look at the fact that web traffic to white supremacist websites tripled following Senator Obama’s primary victory. Or we might wonder why so many white Americans indicated to pollsters that they would vote for Obama, and in the end did not do so. (Let me be clear: these factors in no way reflect on Mr. McCain.)

But I don’t think Mr. Obama’s blackness will prevent his election. In my work with white America, there is a refreshing openness to diversity, the younger generation is now engaged (Boomers should celebrate), and economic risk will trump latent concern over skin color.

And if Mr. Obama wins, as expected, the next four years will be a teachable moment on race in America. Dr. King’s dream that we would judge a person on the basis of character rather than pigment will come true right before our eyes. The skin of every  American should get goose bumps about that.

The U.S. will make this hiring decision on the basis of competence and character, and both candidates are qualified. But the economy (a deficit for Senator McCain as a Republican) will trump race (that is, Mr. Obama’s blackness, which up until this moment in our history would have been a disadvantage).

Today is a pivotal day on race in the American story. Make sure your voice and vote speak into the moment.