My mouth dropped open wide as I looked onto the television screen with great anticipation. Crowds as far as anyone could see packed the National Mall, more people in one place than I think I’ve ever seen. All to witness the swearing in of our 44th President, Barack Hussein Obama.

Talk of Obama being the first African-American elected to the office was prevalent — one onlooker went so far as to say that its ramifications would be worldwide. And although I agree the election of a black president is a great step forward in our nation’s history, even the inspirational speakers and massive crowds couldn’t quiet the feeling in my heart that we still have a long way to go.

As several news sources pointed out after the recent elections, Iowa remains one of two states in the nation that has never elected a woman governor, senator or Congressional representative, the only other state being Mississippi. This comes, of course ,after we had two unsuccessful female bids in the 2008 presidential race, one running for president, the other for vice president.

As Sarah Palin asked in a recent interview with John Zigler, creator of the documentary Media Malpractice, “Is it political? Is it sexism? What is it that drives someone to believe the worst and perpetuate the worst in terms of gossip, lies?”

Although there have been more elected officials from the LGBT community than the infamous Harvey Milk, I have a hard time believing that an openly homosexual man, woman or transgender individual would find their way to the highest office in this day and age.

Religion too, has its shares of boundaries to cross. Many of us can admit to witnessing the ludicrous treatment or imagined “connections” President Obama had to Islam, namely that he was supposedly a Muslim, as evidenced by his name.

But according to a Gallup poll published in February of 2007, a staggering 53 percent reported that they would not vote for an atheist based on religious views alone.

Obama’s inauguration hasn’t solved all of our problems. Racism still exists. Sexism stills exists. Homophobia and “faithism” still run rampant. Yes, his election and reception of the presidency signals a step, but it is merely one of the first in America’s journey to define itself as a nation that truly believes and acts in accordance with the belief that all are created — and treated — equally.

Sophie Prell is a junior in pre-journalism and mass communication from Alta.