excited and somber. Excited because history was being made, that we now have an African American as President for the first time in history and somber because for the first time in history, we have an African American as our President.
I thought long and hard about this post, wanting to keep my celebration private with family members but also wanting to share my happiness with friends.
When I was a girl in elementary school, we sang each morning, without fail, My Country Tis of Thee, America the Beautiful, This Land is Your Land, God Bless America. Those songs and my parents teachings instilled in me a strong patriotism and love for our country, its many diverse peoples, even though I could not receive all that my country offered at that time. I have to tell you, I still tear up when I here the Star Spangled Banner and get chills when I hear the nation's band play Hail to the Chief. I have never wavered in my love and belief in America and its people. I have clung to the words of President John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Jesse Jackson, who had to put aside his pride & ego and accept what our new century's people are saying. That we have to grow & get past the past. That we are becoming a better America truly one nation, under God.
I live in a country where I can speak freely of that which I believe strongly, standing shoulder to shoulder with another who may be against that of which I speak. And, you know, I'm alright with that. It's the American way, our differences and the things in which we are so very similar make us stronger.
My deepest sorrow about our new President is that some will view him as "the black man" who became president instead of just a man with great character and intellect who became president. It shouldn't be relevant but sadly it is. I am going to give President Obama the same chance to prove himself that I gave Presidents Johnson, Ford, Nixon, Reagan, Carter, Bush, Clinton and Bush. After all the fanfare and hoopla, that's when his work and our work begins.
The last thing I wish to say to all, "My hand is ready and I extend it lovingly."
Sunrise at Ravelly's
Jan 20, 2009
Inaugural Day 2009
I have attempted to embed some "youTube" clips to chronicle this road to the White House as I saw it. So, please mute my sidebar music and see through my eyes for a few minutes, if you please.
Today, January 20, 2009, Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America. And as I watched this process for the tenth time in my lifetime, I was both
excited and somber. Excited because history was being made, that we now have an African American as President for the first time in history and somber because for the first time in history, we have an African American as our President.
I thought long and hard about this post, wanting to keep my celebration private with family members but also wanting to share my happiness with friends.
When I was a girl in elementary school, we sang each morning, without fail, My Country Tis of Thee, America the Beautiful, This Land is Your Land, God Bless America. Those songs and my parents teachings instilled in me a strong patriotism and love for our country, its many diverse peoples, even though I could not receive all that my country offered at that time. I have to tell you, I still tear up when I here the Star Spangled Banner and get chills when I hear the nation's band play Hail to the Chief. I have never wavered in my love and belief in America and its people. I have clung to the words of President John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Jesse Jackson, who had to put aside his pride & ego and accept what our new century's people are saying. That we have to grow & get past the past. That we are becoming a better America truly one nation, under God.
I live in a country where I can speak freely of that which I believe strongly, standing shoulder to shoulder with another who may be against that of which I speak. And, you know, I'm alright with that. It's the American way, our differences and the things in which we are so very similar make us stronger.
My deepest sorrow about our new President is that some will view him as "the black man" who became president instead of just a man with great character and intellect who became president. It shouldn't be relevant but sadly it is. I am going to give President Obama the same chance to prove himself that I gave Presidents Johnson, Ford, Nixon, Reagan, Carter, Bush, Clinton and Bush. After all the fanfare and hoopla, that's when his work and our work begins.
The last thing I wish to say to all, "My hand is ready and I extend it lovingly."
excited and somber. Excited because history was being made, that we now have an African American as President for the first time in history and somber because for the first time in history, we have an African American as our President.
I thought long and hard about this post, wanting to keep my celebration private with family members but also wanting to share my happiness with friends.
When I was a girl in elementary school, we sang each morning, without fail, My Country Tis of Thee, America the Beautiful, This Land is Your Land, God Bless America. Those songs and my parents teachings instilled in me a strong patriotism and love for our country, its many diverse peoples, even though I could not receive all that my country offered at that time. I have to tell you, I still tear up when I here the Star Spangled Banner and get chills when I hear the nation's band play Hail to the Chief. I have never wavered in my love and belief in America and its people. I have clung to the words of President John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Jesse Jackson, who had to put aside his pride & ego and accept what our new century's people are saying. That we have to grow & get past the past. That we are becoming a better America truly one nation, under God.
I live in a country where I can speak freely of that which I believe strongly, standing shoulder to shoulder with another who may be against that of which I speak. And, you know, I'm alright with that. It's the American way, our differences and the things in which we are so very similar make us stronger.
My deepest sorrow about our new President is that some will view him as "the black man" who became president instead of just a man with great character and intellect who became president. It shouldn't be relevant but sadly it is. I am going to give President Obama the same chance to prove himself that I gave Presidents Johnson, Ford, Nixon, Reagan, Carter, Bush, Clinton and Bush. After all the fanfare and hoopla, that's when his work and our work begins.
The last thing I wish to say to all, "My hand is ready and I extend it lovingly."
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8 comments:
Rhonda, I respect your words so much and can agree with so much you say.I too wil wait and see what happens but will be more than willing to work.Hugs, Marie
Rhonda, what a wonderful and thought provoking post.
It was exciting today to see history. I so agree with your statement "some will view him as the black man who became president". I just pray people will view him as "the young senator who became president" and support him as our president no matter the color of his skin and give him a chance to prove himself.
Thank you for being the person you are. You are truly a dear friend and I love you deeply!
This is a HUGE and most VICTORIOUS day for African Americans and I celebrate this historical day with you, for you, regardless of my political views.
I understand everything you are saying and I fully support you and I will continue to pray for our new President as I have prayed for all of our Presidents before him.
If I could reach out right now and give you a hug I would.
Have a blessed evening dear friend :)
Sharon
What an exciting day it was. Thanks for sharing your feelings. We let our students crowd into the media center to watch it and they were actually interested in it!
I really enjoyed this post! I agree with you that this country will be color-blind when we see a black president as only a president. I hope that to my kids it won't be a big deal for a "black man" (OR a woman!!) to be president.
Rhonda, that was a beautiful post.
I am still in awe of this historic day and hoping that healing on many levels will continue as we work together across this land.
Blessings to us all!
Loved this post-really well written and your thoughts are well said.
We are very excited here in Canada!
Hearing Obama speak is like salve on wounds. I know what you mean about the descriptives... I said that to my husband when we were watching the American news channels...why do they keep bringing up his skin colour all the time??? I am sending him all my positive thoughts and prayers that he will be able to accomplish even a fraction of what he envisions. I enjoyed reading your post!
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