I stood with the rest of the school in a dark auditorium watching Barak Obama become the 44th President. Hand over my heart, and tears in my eyes, I was as present in the moment as if I were trembling in the 20 degree chill on the sunny steps in Washington D.C.
A thousand inner-city students bore witness to the tradition taking place on the wavy screen on the stage: their first inauguration, I mused, and in some ways mine, too. How in tune and hopeful it felt to hear our President's thoughtful, intelligent spirit beneath the words, and the harnessed power beneath. The students stood respectfully, and erupted in joyful celebration when Joe Biden and Barak Obama took the oaths of office.
How deeply needed were the President's words, like a salve on a wound, and reminiscent of the Kennedys and of King: inspiring, comforting, leading the charge in a new direction. President Obama's call to active citizenship was not just on election day, although our country participated fully: it was a call to retire iCitizenship and embrace weCitizenship. Too long have we focused on ourselves, prioritizing personal needs above those of others.
Our President's words brought rain to a parched land, boosted us to our feet, steeled us for the sacrifices ahead with reminders of our own humble, gritty heritage that is our bedrock. To believe our country's greatest hours lie ahead means we must earn it back through innovation, competition, hard work and sacrifice. We have arrived at the moment of truth.
It is wonderful to see young people as Americans at this juncture. The words, work and spirit of the Kennedys and Martin Luther King deeply shaped my sense of citizenship and President Obama will do that for them. There is such promise in the air! God willing, our prayers will continue to be answered for President Obama's safety, success in action and wisdom in adversity as he move us forward.
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