Look, I'm not trying to start a fight with anybody, let alone Michelle, but I'm very miffed with what I've been reading here lately. I feel that I should give you my insights as to why Obama's inauguration
was a big deal,
why people have high hopes for him, and why
all of us should come together to celebrate it.
I watched his inauguration on channel 5 yesterday. I felt that it was very moving. I cried a bit. Yep. Big ol' me. I watched the procession of "important" people; I was actually surprised that no one booed Bush when he came out; I listened to the speech that is sure to start a new chapter in the way the presidency will be conducted from now on.
To fully understand where I'm coming from here, I'll share with you all some background of my past:
My mother was born in Florence, Italy. Most of you know that. What most of you don't know, is that she could have stayed in Italy. Easily. Before she left for the states, she had a very lucrative job with the local RCA television company's laboratories. At 23 years old, she was making more money, in 1973, in Italy, than a lot of us are making now. She decided that for her sake as a young woman, and for the sake of her future child, which was of course myself, she would venture from her home, where 5 generations of her family lived, and go to America to begin what she believed would be the best life she could have possibly lived. She stayed in the northeast, around the New York and Buffalo area for a few years, then moved around to Chicago and Houston, before finally ending up here with my dad. She loved Italy with all her heart, but she always told me that, without fail, of all the countries she's been to, that America was by far the best place to live. She cherished every day that she was here, all 35 years of it. She knew that there was a long road ahead for the country, and especially for young people like us. There was still hatred among us; hell, there were still people that I graduated high school with that still hadn't gotten used to the fact that I'm of mixed race. But she knew that the young people like us would change things around, that we would get our heads screwed on straight, and help lead the country in a new direction. As many times as she was unsure of me and my friends being a fully fledged adult, she knew that when the time came, we would rally as one, and proclaim to the world that we are ready to lead.
That time came on a cold, sunny Tuesday morning in January 2009.
I have no doubts that Obama will have to re-neg on some of his promises. That's human nature. Those in power will say a lot of things to placate those without, and those without power will undoubtedly demand more than can be delivered, merely for the fact that they feel that they had it "owed" to them. I do feel that this country "owes" me something, especially after the rather specious events that transpired in the last eight years. I'm not knocking former president Bush's ability to "make the tough decisions". But his decisions were not inspired by, nor formally approved by the people of this nation. Not many of us remember what it was like when Clinton came into office. I would imagine that it was a lot like today. People unsure of how the country would turn out, but knowing that a change was needed. History is the judge of how he achieved that change, and how effective it was. But it is also our interpretation of history that helps us decide whether or not he was successful. I personally felt that the country prospered, grew, and became a mighty symbol of what the human spirit can accomplish given the right conditions to grow. My mother was quite a history buff, and she told me once that of all the presidents she studied while in school, and while studying to pass her immigration trials, she always felt that Clinton was by far the best she had ever known. I know that this phrase has been hashed into a hundred different kinds of baloney, but it rings true with me: we needed change then. We needed change now. We voted for change. And, like it or not, we will change.
There's a reason I decided to permanently etch the flags of Italy and America into my skin, to be there forever on my body until my dying breath. I know some people would say "yeah, it's just a tattoo." But not me. These two flags not only symbolize the heritage from which I came, but also the pride that I feel when I say that I'm an American. I have a lot of pride for Italy; what country can say that they revamped all of human culture
twice? But I feel more pride for the great nation of the United States of America, because we have proven, time and time again, that even though we are a young country, there is no other greater place to live and grow and laugh and learn and love. We've had our fair share of problems, and yes, we do tend to strong arm our way into business with other nations, but I have always felt that it was always done with a greater goal in mind; a singular, globular purpose that is too large to be seen by one citizen. This nation is steering the earth in a new direction. What direction that is, none of us can say. There is no one person in this world who can tell what the course of mankind will be. It is a matter of faith that we will do what is right for all of us, not just us here inside our borders. But I have no reservations, and no doubt in my mind, that America will be
the driving force behind that course. This country chose to open its borders to anyone willing to work to be its citizen. If the country's forefathers had not insisted on this, then a young woman from Florence would have never had the chance to start a new life, and a big, hairy, weird kid would not be in the best situation that has ever existed for anyone in his whole family today. I love America with all my heart, and I would die to keep anyone from interfering with the way of life that all of my friends enjoy. I will say that I am not one to serve in our military. But that's because I feel that
living the way of life that all of our previous citizens died for is just as important as fighting for it.
The reason why Obama's inauguration is important, is because of two things. Firstly, it shows that we, as a nation, are willing to look past a lot of our coloring differences to see what a person has to offer. As old, crotchety, and strange as McCain was, had he and Obama been running for office fifty years ago, he would have won easily. Second, it shows that the people of this country can rally together for the good of the nation, and end the cycle of useless pandering that has been prevalent in years past.
As I said before, no one knows where Obama will take us. We need to leave that to him and his cabinet. But I will forever be proud of us and this country for what we have accomplished this last few months. What some of you don't seem to realize, is that this is the first, and largest step that this country has ever taken since a group of men sat down with Thomas Jefferson to finalize a document to end British rule. This isn't a big deal to the rest of the world; It's a big deal to us. I find it frankly appalling that one of us here on xanga has the gall to say "so what?" to the fact of Obama's inauguration. I take no issue of her freedom to say it, but I do take issue with the fact that those two words show the utter lack of enthusiasm, fervor, and above all intelligence, that has been the trademark of hard working Americans for decades. You say "so what?" I say "so there."
Comments (4)
I say so what because I'm sick of all the hype. You are correct we don't know what he is going to do. I say so what because I am color blind. I don't see him as the first "black" president, I see him as our new president. Nothing more or less. I do hope that he will do right by all the faith that has been put in him but I do not believe that the simple fact that he has darker skin than me will automatically make him a better president. Nor automatically make him a worse one. I take a wait and see attitude. Let the actions of the man speak for themselves. I do have hope that he will provide the change that we all are hoping for. But I feel like I'm going into a diabetic coma from all of the sugar coated junk going around. Let's all just sit back and let the man do his job. I'm glad you are proud of your heritage, and I'm even more glad that you are proud to be an American. You are correct this is the greatest nation and we are the ones that are going to drive the world. (Neat tat by the way) I do feel that this nation, the same as any nation, has many problems. What I don't believe is that Obama by himself is going to solve ALL of those problems. Not in 4 or even 8 years. The office of the president simply isn't that powerful. He can only do what congress allows him to do. Checks and balances. People are so wrapped up in him, what about congress. What are they doing besides voting themselves another raise? Obama does not have the power to make law, congress does. He can veto, but they can veto his veto. I would say so what to McCain as well. He is just the president. He is just the figurehead that we all can look to. Congress has the power. He is a very good speaker so I hope he will use that gift to influence congress in the right direction but ultimately it is up to them. I say so what as my way of deflecting the hype, rejecting the kool-aid, to keep an open mind for what is sure to be an interesting presidency. Hope that clears things up for you. Oh and I'm not offended and there's no fight. This was a very well written post, from the heart, and I enjoyed reading it. Believe me the temptation to drink the kool-aid is there, it looks so hydrating and delicious, but I'm just not convinced that it's going to be a flavor that I like. Change isn't always good or bad. I'm going to wait and see. Smell the kool-aid. See how people with similar tastes as mine react to the flavor. Maybe do a bit of research once there is more data on the new flavor. Maybe one day I will take a big healthy drink, just not yet.
To me Obama is more than just " The First Black President", I see him as someone who will change America like many of the great Presidents before him. I see Jefferson, Lincoln, FDR, Kennedy, Carter, Clinton( Professional, Not sexhound), in him. He's willing to surround himself with those who will challenge him. He is confident, not cocky(Like a certain Number 43) . I whole heartly support his stance on Women's Health and Reproductive issues, that I voted for him OVER H.R. Clinton in the primaries.
I can see where Michelle is coming from: She doesn't want the celebration, the merchindising, the media and all the liberal celebrites crushing on him, She wants the results. She wants to see him prove He is the Change, not the same talking heads....She's been burned, she's cynical. Frankly some of the merchindise kind of creeps me out. Obama soap on the rope.
But Michelle, He said in his speech, WE ALL have to do this. He is also the president, and the senator, and the guy works hard for the community to insure that you have your Reproductive rights. When you made your trips the Public Heath office or Planned Parenthood... Same with Naseem, with Rachel, with me... Barack Obama Supported and fought for your right to have the information available to you, and supports your right to choose not be a parent. Bush actually signed and supported regulations AGAINST not only abortion, but general birth control and information of it.
Yes but some of that policy that you are supporting scares me. Partial birth abortions? I don't think those should be allowed, if the fetus is viable outside the womb then it's time to look at adoption. I do support the right to choice. I'm not saying anything positive about Bush or anything he did. You are correct I am skeptical, I have been burned, and I expect to be burned again. And running the country is about more than woman's reproductive rights, and even that issue is more complicated than it seems on the surface. Some of what he proposes scares me and some of it excites me, but they are just proposals. Ideas. They have to get by congress first. Then they have to be applied in the real world. Sometimes what the idea was and how it is applied in the real world are quite different. It is ok to be an idealist, but you have to be in touch with reality. I hope he is the balance. I hope he does well. Truly I do. All I'm saying is that I'm reserving judgment until he proves himself. This isn't about him, it's about what he is going to do for this country. That is why I say so what to the man, I'm more interested in the implementation of his plan. Let's see actions. Let's see if when the Kool-aid is sloshed onto the bar if it burns through it like some alcohol in westerns. Let's see if a pretty flower grows there. Maybe then I will buy that soap on a rope (are you serious where did you find that?) I'm not saying I don't support him as our commander in chief. He is our president and I will support him until he crosses certain lines like taking away our right to keep guns. He hasn't done that so I won't condemn him for something he might or might not do. We'll see is all I'm saying. So what because the real work has yet to begin.
I think partial abortions are alil "iffy" at best, but I'd rather have that as an very rarely, If never used, OPTION than no choice at all. I support his ideas of health care, economy, and defense, his background.. Everyone has that main button, that teeny push that gives them the concrete "Yes" or "No" that was mine.
I think it was beautiful that MOST of the country was in awe, they came together to celebrate an accomplishment.
Soap on a rope-I saw it on Cracked.com... I love the Obama wall sticker, but I am offended by the Buddha candle.
http://www.cracked.com/blog/18-nutty-pieces-of-obama-merchandise/