Editor 's note : A nationally syndicated columnist , Roland S. Martin is the author of `` Listening to the Spirit Within : 50 Perspectives on Faith '' and `` Speak , Brother ! A Black Man 's View of America . '' Visit his Web site for more information . Roland S. Martin says Sasha Obama is from a generation raised in a diverse world and open to possibility . WASHINGTON ( CNN ) -- There are so many things that we could take away and remember forever regarding the inauguration of the first African-American president in the history of the United States , but I 'll always remember the laughter of a little girl . Shortly after President-elect Barack Obama finished the oath and became President Barack Obama , he joined hands with his family and waved to the cheering voices of 1.8 million people packed from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial . People cried , others hugged , celebrities and everyday folks snapped photos to capture the moment . There really was an amazing energy that permeated the crowd as we all witnessed a barrier come tumbling down before our eyes . But what stood out for me was a moment when President Obama looked down at his 7-year-old daughter , Sasha , and she said something to him , and then let out this huge laugh . I do n't know whether it was her statement or his response , but the bubbly child was having the time of her life . The sheer joy that was on her face as she grinned from ear to ear caused me to just start laughing as I watched her reaction . I was shooting photos from the CNN platform just across from where he spoke , and one of the many images was of a beaming Sasha alongside her mom and 10-year-old sister , Malia . Can you imagine what was going through this young girl 's mind , to see her father stand there and take the oath of office ? As I saw her that day , and later bouncing along a sidewalk as she walked with her father , my niece Anastacia came to mind . Their smiles and bouncy walk are so much alike , and both are the same age . These young girls , and countless other black children , among others , will grow up in an America where what they can imagine is backed up by what they see . Despite the reality that racism has n't left us , these children have the advantage of not being burdened with being separated by race . So much has been written about today 's generation living in a world where hip-hop music brought them all together in one room , coupled with the diverse images on television and movies . Their reality is not the reality of their parents , and we will see that play out a lot in the future . What also is most compelling about this age of Obama is how he has been received thus far internationally . Many political experts are simply stunned that a man who has only been on the national stage for five years would have so much good will across the pond . Of course , a lot of that has to do with the fact that President George W. Bush and his team were seen as running roughshod over their international partners , praising them when they needed something , and savaging them when they disagreed with the U.S. position . Yet what we also ca n't ignore is that Obama 's skin tone also plays a central role . Americans may be shocked to find out that people of color make up two-thirds of the world population . They know all too well about America 's pathetic and violent history of enslaving and later oppressing African-Americans , and it was always seen as ridiculous for U.S. officials to condemn human rights abuses abroad while racial and other forms of discrimination existed in their own backyard . Obama 's election sends a powerful signal to the world that Americans are backing up their rhetoric and ideals with action , and Obama serves as that powerful symbol . Barack Hussein Obama now has the opportunity to show those who voted for him -- and those who did n't -- that the change he often spoke about can come to pass . If he is able to fulfill many of the promises he made during the campaign , he will go down as one of America 's most successful presidents , looked at fondly by the American people . And if he does , maybe we 'll end up having the same smile he received courtesy of Sasha . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Roland Martin .
Roland Martin : Sasha Obama laughed joyously after her father took the oath . He says her generation wo n't have the same racial burden as its parents . Martin : Sasha is growing up in a world of diversity , with great possibilities . Martin : In a diverse world , Obama 's skin tone strengthens America .