Inauguration 2009 - President Barack Obama
I didn’t know what to expect when my wife and I decided to go to Washington, D.C., to be a part of the historic inauguration of America’s first African-American president. Despite the cold weather and the millions of people squeezed together like the images I’d seen of slave ships bringing Africans to the Eastern Coast of what’s now the United States of America, there is no other place I would rather be.
I saw the T-shirt that read, “I was here,” with a picture of Barack Obama. I saw the hats and scarves with Obama’s name, signature or picture. I saw the tears from blacks, whites, asians, latinos and people of all economic and ethnic backgrounds. They estimate that there was more than 2 million people who became a part of history with President Obama. I was counted during election and I was counted again January 20, 2009.
I wrote another blog about the significance of President Obama’s election and what it means to my month-old grandson and his generation. I’m sure I’ll write more about the significance as time goes on. But my grandson will never have to wonder if a black man can become president in America. By the time he is old enough to understand what happened, maybe they’ll be many more significant events that we can point to. Then one day, he’ll be making other inroads because of the foundations that generations before him laid.
That leads me to my next and final statement for this blog. I desire to do God’s will and maybe somewhere down the line, someone will say it was because of something I did or something I said that allowed for future generations to make further advancements. I never thought there was anything that I couldn’t be or couldn’t do. But seeing Barack Obama sworn in as president of the most powerful country on the planet raised my desire to be a part of history by helping uplift this nation and its people. I’ve also looked at my grandson and determined that I will make a greater impact on the future and future generations, one life at a time.
2008 left with promise and 2009 entered with inspiration and motivation to improve life for myself, my family, those around me and those coming behind me. I welcome anyone who shares that mission. Together, we can make it happen. Again!