I’ve been a bit annoyed by all of the Obamania in the nation’s capital area and beyond, especially in the media. It took an enlightened redneck like Don Surber of West Virginia to refresh my historical perspective:

Black Americans have kept their eyes on the prize for 400 years. They will come a little closer on Tuesday, when Barack Obama is sworn in as the first black president.

His inauguration will be a weeklong celebration, as well it should be. All Americans should greet Tuesday joyously and patriotically.

The inauguration is a political event, yes, but it also transcends politics. We celebrate not because he’s black but because 36 million of his fellow Americans are black. This is their dream that he fulfills.

When he was born, blacks could not sit at the counter at Woolworth’s. Now he will sit at the head of the table in the White House.

Toward the end of his column, Don reminds people of this fact: “Obama’s politics are not mine.” Imagine that, a redneck who is no Obama fan yet still appreciates the import of his ascension to the highest seat of power in the world’s most powerful country.

Read his whole column before Tuesday’s inauguration.