So today Barack Hussein Obama became President Obama, 44th president of the United States of America. I was going to save this post for tomorrow, but I just had to get this time stamped for 1/20/09, the day it happened, you know?The teachers were told to keep the televisions on all day today, with it up to them if sound was on or not. Half of mine just ignored the news all together and shut them off. But the important thing was- I got to watch the inauguration of Vice President Biden and President Obama, and his inaugural speech. I was supposed to be in lunch, but I was (rightfully) worried that I wouldn't get to hear anything if my friend Shannon and I went to the giant, noisy, applesauce throwing cafeteria. So we went with a bunch of other students to out APUSH teacher's room to watch. And then we ate and watched history take place.
I was so excited to watch this. First time I've ever seen a presidential inauguration. I'll remember where I was and how I felt when he swore in.
We were shocked when Obama paused while repeating his oath of office. He must have been so nervous. Knowing that millions are watching you on their TVs, and thousands more from the streets behind you. Becoming the leader of the free world isn't a fancy free sort of thing. I felt... astounded when he paused, forgetting his repetition line. And then I was glad to know that he's only human, too. Then my dad told me the Cheif Justice (Roberts?) mixed up the words- that's why he paused. Whoa. That has never happened before, I don't think.
That aside, the swearing in was otherwise uneventful, and his speech was eloquent- made for binding Americans together. I hear critics saying he didn't mention any specifics, but inauguration speeches aren't laundry lists, they're to make us as a people feel strong and confident behind our new leader. It spoke of the things that all good politicians focus on- bipartisanship, big change, equality and opportunity for all, and an appreciation for the previous office holder (in this case, former President George W. Bush). It flowed, and was everything it should be. Nothing brilliant, nothing bad. Good.
Now as some might notice, I wasn't an Obama fan for the election. I think that people got swept away a little by his oratory skills and promises of "big change" that was never really identified beyond ideals. This Obama Cult thing is scary. I saw on the news a crowd of people marching in India wearing Obama cut out masks. Like, twenty kids in school wearing Obama t-shirts. There's already talk of adding his face to Mount Rushmore, and he hasn't been president for a full day yet. Patriotism is good, but "Obamica" or "Obama Nation" is bad, creepy, and weird. What's going to happen if he makes a mistake (he will, it's impossible not to)? Will that gigantic fan-girlish base turn on him or just become fiercely protective of him? He's human, okay? I know enough to be aware that there is a chance he will fail to be what people are building him up to be. He's in the big leagues now. Please, please don't worship him- it's probably extra pressure for his heavy load knowing that he's so many people's god. And the thing that gets me is his constant alluding to his father's African heritage when the last time he had contact with his father was when he was ten years old. I think the glorious thing is that his single mother brought him up to be such a successful young man, not the color of this absent father's skin.
But the thing is- I'm not going to mope about for four years and curse at his leadership. I've never insulted Obama himself, and I agree that he is a fantastic orator and motivator. I applaud him for his natural skills. No one has seen the country this exited and moved in I don't know how long. I'm not saying that's a bad thing. I want him to succeed, and just because he wasn't my first choice doesn't mean I want him to fail just for spite- no, no. I want him to succeed. Please God, let him prove me wrong here. Raise up this country of mine, of his, of ours.
On a lighter note- one of my favorite parts of the ceremonies was that older gentleman who said at the end of his prayer "when brown can stick around, when yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead, man, and when white will embrace what is right." Yeah, is it a little on the offensive side (implies that 'whites' are racist or are not currently doing anything right, or that 'yellows' are hyped up or something... that sort of analysis), I like it. I think the old man was just trying to lighten up the mood, no need to be picky about it. Another of my favorites was the bands that marched before the President before he got into "the beast". The colonial looking people with white wigs and tricorn hats were all the rage. Hehehe. They did toe points when they walked...
All in all, historic day. May Obama's Presidency honeymoon period be sweet.
