After finding out Barack Obama had been elected president, John McCain had this to say: “President Theodore Roosevelt’s invitation of Booker T. Washington to dine at the White House was taken as an outrage in many quarters. America today is a world away from the cruel and prideful bigotry of that time. There is no better evidence of this than the election of an African-American to the presidency of the United States.”

If McCain can stand up and speak with such grace about Obama, why can’t everyone do the same? This is the president – the country’s leader. The hope is that anyone who attends this university, having proved themselves intelligent enough to be accepted to such a recognized institution, would be able to get past racial tension – that is apparently not the case. Using racial slurs with intent to offend and tearing down Obama posters in dormitories is childish and embarrassing. It accomplishes nothing, except the person committing the crime looks unpatriotic and disrespectful.

As is the case every four years with elections, there can only be one president-elect of the United States. This is, and has always been, a fact. Voters will always be sad when a person they invested their support in loses. However, this is not third grade. There are no do-overs, no reruns or take-backs. The public has voted and by majority – a big majority at that – Barack Obama is the president for the next four years until the public votes again.

Those who didn’t support Obama in the election should continue to fight for the things they believe in, but they should do so with respect, not with hate.

Multimedia editor Allie Brown for the editorial board.