I have enjoyed watching all the broadcasts, reading the newspapers and articles online about today's event, the inauguration of our 44th President, Barack Obama. I have also came across many friends blogs who have posted about this event in history and their words put it so plainly, yet profoundly, and I echo their words. (so if you see any part of this from your blog, thank you...)
Whether you voted for Obama or not, one cannot deny the significance of this day! Although I don't agree with all of his policies and platforms, I do believe he is a good man. I admire his love for his family, and I marvel how his speeches can stir up feelings of unity and pride in a country of such diversity.
I loved his inauguration speech. I loved how he spoke of unity and hope, because that is what I want too.
How can one not be proud to be an American today? How can our hearts not swell with pride when history is in the making?
I spoke to Maya's Granny today and she could hardly get any words out because she was so overcome with emotion. She was raised in Alabama, she remembers walking the streets of Montgomery fearing for her life as a little girl watching whites hose them down.
Monday we celebrated Martin Luther King Day, and then today we witness an African American President be sworn in as our leader. To some they may not understand just how profound this is, but to her, it is a dream come true.
Today, Martin Luther King's words spoken on August 28, 1963 rang true for so many Americans:
"Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.
And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today!
I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today!
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."
This is our hope, and this is the faith....."
I think that all of us in one way or another have either been the target of prejudice, or been exposed to it in some way. Maybe it was a joke you heard, or a off-handed comment by a friend.
It's still here.
But today our country took a huge step. Maya is going to grow up in a world where the color of skin is not a limit in any way. My daughter will know a president that is that same color as she is. I AM SO HAPPY for her!!
GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
