AT NOON TODAY, Eastern Standard Time, in Washington DC, Barack Obama will become the 44th president of the United States and there is no denying that the moment will be one of the most significant in America’s history.But the moment will be historic for reasons other than the ones I am constantly hearing about – especially here in France. Make no mistake, Obama is an important part of what makes today a special day and on some levels today is about him. But I caution anyone who makes today only about Barack Obama to look at the bigger picture – the picture that puts today’s events into larger focus. Too many reports I read and people I hear are turning today into a celebration of an individual. Today is about much more than one man. Remember, what America is doing today we have done 43 times before.
Today is partly about Barack Obama, but it is about so much more…
- Today is about a nation rejecting the politics of fear and divisiveness.
- Today is about a nation recognizing its place is in the world, not above it.
- Today is about a nation turning a page in its long, often ugly racial story. Not reaching the end of the book, mind you, but definitely turning a page.
- Today is about a nation celebrating a Constitution that is still unmatched in the world.
Today is about one man placing his hand on a Bible and making a formal commitment to lead his country while we, the citizens, echo that commitment from our living rooms and dining tables. - Today is about a nation giving a new President a chance to succeed.
- Today is about democracy.
- Today is about all that is right about a nation.
- Today is about Change (just like, I might add, the other 43 were in many ways about change – this isn’t the first time America has voted for ‘change’!)
- Today is about Hope.
- And today, perhaps more than anything else, is about feeling better about tomorrow.
Barack Obama is an important reason why today is a great day in America. But it would have been a great day even if another man was taking the Oath of Office.
Really, I swear.
CJS
5 comments :
Beautifully said. It's important to keep perspective.
So true. I am very excited about Obama, but even I think there is a mania out there that is a little over the top.
I love "today"!!!
Watch inauguration ceremony adn party live in HD on CNN web-site:
watch on CNN
High speed and quality is checked!
I agree that the mere fact we have been electing Presidents all this time is in itself a thing to celebrate. Yet, this time is different. I invite people to read my thoughts on the significance, written from the standpoint of a White person who grew up in racially segregated Texas. It's Thoughts of Water on the Eve of Obama’s Inauguration.
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