Watching the inauguration has got to be the single, most proud moment of my life! I saw our president –elect get sworn in today and I must say it was definitely a relief to say the least. I was standing in a crowd of anxious Massachusetts politicians, watching the Inauguration…I brought my gorgeous clan along for the proud moment because I wanted to share it with them….as unfortunate as it seems, the only thing I kept thinking about was “Lord please don’t let him get shot!” I know this sounds insane but at a time when people need the most hope I’m glad to know that finally history has allowed an honorable black man to take a stand against all that plagues us as a society and truly receive the title of an office that will ultimately enable him to make change at a global scale. My little boy Robert, who is only 7 seven years old, asked me after the ceremony, “Wow mom! Is Barak Obama really our president? With pride in my eyes I gratefully thanked the lord that I could actually say “yes son, he is!”
See, the media has continuously plagued the general public with images of great leaders being shot down and I’m both proud and relieved that this time history has been allowed to take its course. I don’t think I need to remind you of the countless leaders who’ve attempted to take on these high profile positions , only to be murdered aimlessly (Bobbie Kennedy, Malcolm X, MLK and JFK, to name a few)which in turn, has only served the purpose of inculcating unbeknownst fears amongst many to dare follow suit.
This is a proud moment in history for humanity and I say this with my heart swelling with tenderness and joy knowing that once again my children can think about aspiring to something greater in the political/activist realm without the fear that their lives will be taken away. I speak as a proud mom of three amazing children whom may one day actually have the opportunity to seriously consider a career in public service without the threat that their lives will be taken for reaching up to something greater. YES WE CAN and YES WE DID; those are the phrases that I saw most on the national sphere of things and as Michelle Obama was utterly rebuked for saying…..I’m actually proud to be American today. I could be wrong but I don’t think there is one single “minority “who does not feel the same way. For too long we’ve had the notion that we can’t speak out against injustice and/or use our collective intelligence to contribute towards solving the ills that plague us as a country. This has been a notion completely unembraced and disregarded by many for the sake of a genuine fear that they might have to sacrifice their very existence and lord knows, nobody wants to have their life “taken”.
Now, I could be totally wrong about this and perhaps you may think that my take on this is a bit extreme, but at the end of the day….I’ve listened to my children(including the many students I’ve taught over the years ) say things like, “you cant say that or you’ll be shot” or “No, people who care cant run for public office because if they speak out they’ll be shot”. I feel like Obama being sworn in will ultimately show the children of this globe that GOD does prevail, that GOOD does ultimately prevail. He is a proud example of all that can be accomplished when one applies themselves with purpose and today I send a prayer and a hope for blessings to be showered upon all those that have illuminated Barak and Michelle’s path along the way (know this is a team effort, it’s not just him doing all this work). There are certain things that must be revered and remembered, the 43rd Inauguration is one of them.
You know, when we got home, my daughter Bobbie keenly remarked “ I feel like today should be a national holiday” I agree with her. I believe people should be allowed to remember what is possible. Like Barak said…..60 years ago, his father may not have been able to eat in a restaurant of his choice but despite that he persevered by educating himself and passing on the value of that education to his son who has now taken the torch and risen up to be the head of state of one of the most powerful nations in the world! Thank You for persevering President Obama, the world can’t wait to see all that you will do! It’s evident that this man has spoken out and WORKED HARD TO SECURE a position to make change because it’s the right thing to do and lord knows that’s good for the soul……and as we all know folks, What’s Good for the SOUL is SMART!
Sending you Hugs and Love,
Niurka
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