President Obama
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 4:32PM I'm going to take every chance I get to use the words "President Obama" for a while, partly because I can still barely believe it's true.
I knew the inauguration would be an emotional moment for many, and it was for me - but I think not for the same reasons many feel. Yes, I recognize the great achievement in having a biracial president (especially in a country where looking black just means you're black, hence all the "first African-American president" stuff). It was stirring to me when he stated that 60 years ago, his father wouldn't have been served in local restaurants. He often avoids talking about race and there were DJs on the radio this morning discussing whether it would come up or not. I'm glad he brought it up. This nation needs to learn to talk about race in a responsible and respectful manner. (Maybe some day we'll even be able to talk about gender in a responsible and respectful manner. I maintain that there is more sexism than racism in this country.)
But the racial achievements of the day weren't what brought me to tears (as far as I can tell, although I am stirred by those thoughts). This is the first time I have voted for a presidential candidate who then went on to win and be inaugurated. I was first eligible to vote for president in 1996 but, sadly, did not vote (I was away at college and didn't want to bother with traveling home to vote or pursuing an absentee ballot; also, I was certain Clinton would win). In 2000 and 2004 I most certainly did not vote for Bush. On top of that, I have great feelings of dislike for the Bush administration and its actions over the last eight years. I'm not a fan of airing all of those thoughts publicly because I feel the political discussions in this country have gotten too heated, but suffice it to say that I cried tears of joy when Bush boarded that helicopter and left D.C. today (I really did). I really like President Obama and have great faith that he will be able to do many, many great things. Like many, I fear that too much hope is being thrust upon him and that if he doesn't accomplish many, many great things, it'll be spun as great national disappointment.
I honestly believe, though, that he has the capacity to actually do all the things he wants to do. The American people really need to get behind him and support his ideas and initiatives, though - which I'm hoping will happen. People like change but they don't necessarily always like to change. But we need to; we've been irresponsible and selfish for too long. It is time to be more responsible and more self-less.
I believe he can redefine the presidency. I believe he can make us a "greener" nation. I believe he can increase human rights and inspire a decrease in discrimination. I believe he can prove his detractors wrong. I believe he can help us inspire other nations again, like we have in the past. I believe he can bring two sides together to work for the common good. I do not believe he is a superhero or the messiah, but I do believe, like the founding fathers, he is exactly who we need, when we need him... and I hope we have him in office for eight years.
And now I'm tearing up again.
Reader Comments (1)
It was pretty cool, huh! :)