Tears of Joy and Pride, The Inauguration
56The Speech--The Challenge
Barack Obama is now president. I cried more during interviews of the audience than I did during the speech. During the speech, I listened and reflected. I began to think about what am I going to do to help this nation?
As John F. Kennedy asked in his speech: "Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country". I am ashamed to admit I've taken more from my country than I have given.
I hope I rise to the challenge laid down by our new president.
What's the Big Deal?
I haven't experienced being dragged out of my cabin and whipped or hanged. I haven't toiled in the cotton fields. I haven't been raped by slave owners, nor have I stood atop a bridge without water or relief. But I have experienced prejudices. Will it stop because we have an African-American (let's not forget 1/2 white) president? No. Prejudice is a personal. Prejudices are learned.
Yes, it's a big deal to witness the inauguration of Barack Obama. Not only has America said in one voice: "cut the crap and let's get down to business". Beyond America, this day is for the world. And President Obama's speech reached out to all the world.
What I was most impressed with, besides the crowds, speeches and song was the clarity of purpose. The president is under no illusions and he honestly shared the rough road ahead with all of us and with all the world.
The "Big Deal" is: Look how far we've come!
What does this Day Mean to this African American?
I feel we've climbed a mountain. But we have not reached the mountaintop. We have a great distance yet to travel. And we must do "it" together. I grew up in the 60s. Like all of America, I watched in horror as the dogs attacked and the police beat and dragged civil rights demonstrators through the streets.
I couldn't watch the movie series: Roots because it hurt so much. I turned on some of my favorite actors, specifically Chuck O'Connors. I'd read about slavery and the brutality, but to see it reenacted was just too much for me.
So what does today mean to me? I guess, to be honest, it is like any new day, except there is a new birth of freedom and strong sense of hope! Every day we wake up we have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others, but do we? Today, I have been shaken out of my complacency. I think this call-to-action is what makes this day so impactful. "We as a people can and must lead our nation on the road back to greatness".
It isn't the President who makes this country great; it is the people. If we fail to act, then we contribute to our failure. To me: "FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION".
Generations
Reflections
My mother told me stories of the great depression when food and resources were scarce. She told me stories of sacrifice and doing without gas and food, everyday basics. She told me stories of the prejudices she faced.
I reflect back when I was ostracized in high school and in corporate America because of the color of my skin nearly two decades after my mother endured. I remember facing prejudice in school and in small town and big city America. I remember the obscene phone calls from a man who thought the only place for a black woman was under him.
My daughter also faced ridicule and came home to me crying from the cruel name calling and shunning.
Now, my granddaughter takes her place in this America. Her first vote open to new possibilities.
I truly enjoyed the benediction when Reverend Lowery rewrote an old verbiage I grew up with: If you are white, you're alright, if you're brown, stick around, if you're black get back... I enjoyed the rewrite. I was moved and laughed from the heart.
Like the Reverend, I continue to rewrite my life and interaction with my fellow Americans.
Pictures of Change
- Barack Obama Pictures - Barack Obama Photo Gallery
The view of an American
Congratulations
I am extremely proud of America's choice for president and so very, very proud of all Americans who came together to make this day possible.
Inaugural Benediction
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Comments
Let us hope. Thanks
You seriously misquoted Rev. Lowery. He said, "...when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right". That was racist in and of itself. Reverse racism does not make up for racism. I personally despise racism, regardless of from what direction it comes. Lowery is a racist.
I was not against Obama because of the color of his skin. I was against Obama because of his views, his lack of qualifications, his politics, and his policies. Had a qualified, conservative (not necessarily Republican, since I am not one and Republicans are not necessarily conservatives) Black man that had a chance of winning, I would have have gladly supported him. I did not support McCain because he did not fit that bill with his views and policies, either.
Because millions of minorities or even those in the majority have put their desires for a Black man to be President above principles or religious belief does not mean that we have arrived or fulfilled MLK's dream.
I didn't quote the reverend. I referred to the OLD VERBAGE that he so elequently rewrote.
I tweaked my hub for more clarity. Thanks for your comments.
troylaplante- You sound pissed that Obama got in, and I would say that Obama is the representation of a dream being fulfilled, where everyone in America has a chance, where there are no ceilings, there are no limits to what one can do. Only time will tell if this was the pivotal point in our history when everyone saw the disillusion, the inequality that has dominated America since its beginnings, fade away, and that this was the beginning MLK's dream coming true.
Oh my, if I sound pissed, shame on me. I am profoundly proud!
I just want to reenforce that he can not do it alone and we have a ways to go.
I LOVE your passion.
No, no, no, I know you're not pissed, but Troylaplante seems pissed the one who left the comment before me.
wish obama all the best
If it sounds like I am pissed because a socialist was inaugurated as president, you better believe it. It does not matter what he looks like. It matters that he is a left wing socialist, of which philosophy has brought the current financial problems and moral decay in this nation. Why would anyone who has ever studied the Constitution NOT be pissed?
Oh yes, capitalism is working out great. Socialist, muslim, does it really matter? We're in bad shape right now and its time to try a new formula as I think its not our left wing socialists who brought the recession upon us, something tells me it was the guys playing on the other team , the right wingers who let regulation go and is pushing for a collapse so they can recoup their earnings with a government bailout. then put humpty dumpty back together again.
troylaplante: Do you have to go around ruining everyone else's day now? Die'Dre' is feeling good, and well she should. You speak of Socialism. You're killing me! What do you call bailing out wall street and the auto industry? That is Socialism my friend, and Obama had nothing to do with it, but your boys Cheney and Bush did (notice Cheney's name first, since your front man didn't have the skill required for the job.)
Good job on the Hub, Dre. It is a monumental day in American History, and the future has not looked this bright for a long time. I share your enthusiasm!
I'm not going to join in the argument. I'm happy for the African Americans who have waited for this day, but I'm happier that I finally feel there is someone in place who's going to turn this country around.
He's got a HUGE job ahead of him. My prayers are with him.
Fantastic hub.
Cheers to that!
Die'Dre you did a great job writng this, and so quickly I might add. I just now tore myself away from the TV. I am so happy for all of us. You have reached the mountaintop, rejoice girl. But even at that elevation there is turmoil, but you are there and don't let anyone drag you back down, for if you are, so are we all!
God blessed America today!
It feels good and all my prayers to this young man and his family...He has a hell of a job in front of him and I do hope he is Man enough to handle it. I like his color,,he represents all of us, from black to white and all in between...So as Americans nuckle down and make us proud, cause is not his job alone...It is ALL of our job...we are all responsible...Just get over it and face the facts...God Bless America...G-Ma :o) Hugs & Peace (p.s. great job die'dre)
LOL Not to piss in your soup guys, but I am afraid you are up for a huge disappointment...
We all have our opinions and because we are Americans, we have the freedom to express them. Keep them coming.
Misha, that just may be. But at least let things ride. I am Republican, but I am not racist, and I genuinely horpe he does well. We need it, and we need to stand behind him. We have all been let down by our leaders at one point or another, sometimes hugely.
How can we be any more disappointed?...if we go down it won't be Obama's fault...Misha sweetie..it's already on the way...G-Ma :o) Hugs & Peace
Thanks G-Ma for this and your previous comment. We are all in this regeneration of America together. I join you in prayer. Let's look to a new day.
What is actually needed is for all Americans to come together and work together. I have read where many have said they will pray for Obama, but i wonder how many of them prayed for Bush while he was President. We need to pray for our leaders regardless of who they are and what party, color, or religion they subscribe to.
I prayed everyday he would get impeached.
I'm sure many prayed for that GT. But that is my point. How many prayed he would do the right thing? How many prayed for the leadership of God in his decision making? People talk about praying for someone, but many times they actually pray aginst the person.
Well ol Georgie said he was talking to God the whole time, it would be wrong of me to question anyone who says that. I think we all prayed and hope he would do the right thing, but it never happened.However, I think this is the wrong hub to discuss this in respect to Die' Dre, adios.
SirDent- Does one pray for "liars and cheaters"? I have spoken to many Americans(they had far worse words then those I have mentioned for him) and they feel extremely let down because of the way Bush forced the Iraq invasion on the vast majority of Americans(and also misleading the country on several fronts including Economy). Does "God" support those who are "liars" and "cheaters"? People do have respect for the post of the President and the Person holding the post also has to do his bit to earn that respect for it.
Another point made by CW. Look at it this way. If I pray for Obama to fail, I pray for the US to fail. Same as with GW before. If I prayed for him to fail. I prayed for the US to fail.
G-Ma, I am afraid we will. I keep telling this for several months already - we are up for severe depression possibly with civil disorder, no matter who the president is. It is just beyond his power, like tsunami or earthquake. Hugs anyway :)
CC, sure I am not a racist either, nothing personal about Obama, I just believe it is already beyond human power to stop this train...
SirDent- Everybody was praying for him earlier but sadly they didn't fell into his ears. There is a limit to the patience of those pray and who finally feel it is time that it is hopeless to pray anymore for this person. And alas at last it is time to move on(when no positive indications came then people just finally give up) and I am not stating my personal words but the emotion of vast number of Americans I have spoken to. Anyway from today Obama brings new hope and lets give him a chance as was given earlier to Bush. May things at least change for the better (as they say in India when one is in a pit one should stop digging and then think of coming out). Here's to wishing Obama success and he needs all the prayers he can get to turn this country around (from the unfortunate course it was headed earlier).
I understand it is time to move on. Prayers must be prayed regardless of what I think or you think of the one being prayed for. I admit I didn't back Obama. One thing you can count on is that I will pray for him.
Even when he has to make tough decisions that will alienate many, I will continue to pray for him. I will pray for his success as the leader of the USA. Regardless of what I think about him, he is still our President and should be treated as such.
Misha. I hope you are wrong about it being to late. I believe it was Hill who said: "Whatever the mind of man (or woman) can conceive and believe, it can achieve."
I say we give the new administration a chance, allow ourselves to hope and help in anyway we can.
SirDent- Yes any President is a President of USA as a whole and no longer just represents a particular party. I hope more people pray like you do and lend there support for him. I hope even the tough decisions are taken while taking most of the people in confidence. Becoming a President is just half the job and earning the respect is the other half of it. I hope now Obama earns the "respect" that people hope from him. Now more than ever when I see my elderly neighbor who was planning to retire this year and is forced to work for another few years because her "savings vanished" then we know that we need the country to rise again and for that Prayers from everybody is needed. Let us show our unity in times of crisis and hopefully we may come out of it soon. May God Bless America and the World. Amen.
I'm not getting into the argument. All I want to say is that as a white South African who lived through the nightmare of apartheid I sat in my lounge with my wife and we cried together tears of joy for the sight of a black man taking the oath of office of the United States of America. Here we sat in Pretoria, South Africa, overjoyed that racism could be set aside by so many and that a man has arisen to lead the US, a man with an African father is the president of the United States! That has to tell the racists something. About Obama and his qualifications or alleged lack of them, I don't think he will lie to the people to lead them into unnecessary wars, nor will he allow crony capitalism to rule to the extent that the economy of the US gets into a tailspin and threatens the rest of the world with economic disaster. He is just too decent a man, too thoughtful a man, to do that.
I rejoice with you Die'Dre' and congratulate you on a thoughtful, beautiful Hub.
Love and peace,
Tony
Interesting Hub, Die'Dre.' Glad that you have a little optimism.
Not sure whether he can restore the economy, but all that the rest of the world wants is for the US to once again become part of the international community. If he manages to do that over the next four years, he will go down in history as a good president. If he manages to fix the economy, he will go down as a great one. Good Luck.
With any luck, from now on we will have equality of opportunity such that we won't notice the colour of politicians, just whether they are any good or not.
Die' Dre' I bet you didn't think you would get such a wide varied response when you wrote this hub today!
Yesterday was wonderful. I will remember it for the rest of my life. Now the hard part starts and that's hard with a capital 'H'. We are in for it big time. But I'm with rockinjoe--at least we have someone good in charge now. Great hub, thanks!
No, Goldentoad, I didn't think I would evoke so many varied comments.
And yes, Sufidreamer, I hope the US becomes respected in the world community once agains. Seems like it's been a very long time.
And Tonymac04, I agree that Obama will lead the US with integrity and do his best to pull us out of our economic tailspin. I enjoyed reading your comment.
Thanks everyone.
Die'Dre: just thought you'd like to know that my mother and I spent a lot of time on the phone yesterday, both excitedly watching the inauguration together -- she is in Northern Ireland, and I am in South Carolina. She's 81, and last night she emailed me this: "Historic Day. I have square eyes from watching T.V. all day. God Bless America!"
I'm glad someone understands that the invocation was a rewrite of an old saying. I recognized it right away. I'm sure anyone who lived in or has an interest in the 60s and the civil rights movement got it...
And I agree, it's just the beginning of Dr. King's dream
I hope and pray for this President. He does need to prove that he is what others claims he is... let us watch nad hope.
A wonderful hub. I admit when Obama announced his candidacy for President, I was in disbelief. I listened to the naysayers, and thought, my God, is it possible? Will he really be the ruin of our country if he gets elected? It wasn't until I paid attention to him and heard what he had to say that my thinking turned around, so much so that I feel at peace with his becoming our 44th President. I find him to be genuine, eloquent, and yes, even truthful about what it is he has hopes of accomplishing. I feel at his young age, he hasn't had decades of becoming jaded in his thoughts. I do not believe he is corrupt and a liar as so many people still believe.
As I watched this moment in history, I too cried tears of joy. I also feel that he will run a government that is not only for the people, but by the people. He strikes me as a man who listens, not one running his own agenda. I remember MLK's speech, and I remember JFK's assasination. Pivotal moments in time. This has been a long time coming and I am proud of this moment, proud of President Obama, and he and our counry will be in my prayers daily. As for the naysayers, I'd like to see any one of them take on this monumental job and succeed. I highly doubt any one of them would even come close. History has taught us where we've been. It is time now to re-write history :)
Thank you for sharing your joy, I'm with you 100%.
Teresa. I have to admit that my eyes are a bit "square" today as well. Northern Ireland, ahh! Indeed the world is watching. My mother is 86 and is still in shock.
Uninvited. Glad you got it! Thanks
If a black man and a white woman have a child - is the child black? Is the child white?
My observation of what is happening in the United States. This election and subsequent proceedings is becoming more racist with each passing day. People are being polarized. Instead of Republican vs. democrat as with Bush it is now becoming blacks & liberals vs. whites & conservatives.
Have we not learned - Promoting race is destructive
Obama was white for the first thirty years of his life. He preferred the name Barry.
Die'Dre', just look what you've accomplished here. I hope today you are just as happy dear. (((((die'dre')))))a big hug to ya!
pacwriter. If you saw Obama on the street and didn't know him from Adam...you would say he is black. In the past, if a man had just an ounce of black blood he was black and did not have the same rights as a white American. Saying Obama is black in no way is promoting racism.
C.C. Riter. I'll take that hug, thank you.
I disagree, pacwriter. I think Obama is going to work towards equality and justice for all, inlcuding Republicans, Democrates, Blacks, Whites, Indians, Muslims, Chinese, Japaneses, Latinos, liberals, conservatives and... "We are the World".
I think we can all help by embracing a you-AND-me vs. you-OR-me philosophy on a daily basis.
Thanks for sharing your enthusiasm Die`Dre`, I´m not American but as a world citizen I can understand why this moment it is so important. Not only for USA but also for the entire World community, I believe that if there is anyone in the world right now who is able to trigger a big change, that man can only be Barack Obama.
You have inspire me to become inspired by him, thanks ;)
One would think you would be entitled to your opinion, and enjoy that an educated human being is now in office - not a legacy student like Bush. But Bush did teach us that if we didn't agree with him - well we were just so unpatriotic. Seems his legacy lives on with these comments here - it was his way and absolutely positively no other way.
goldentoad says:
11 months ago
America is an idea, more than a place, and hopefully that idea becomes reality.