While watching President Barack Obama’s Inauguration today, I cried. During George W. Bush’s 2005 Inauguration, I cried too. Even though the occasions were the same, the nature of the tears I shed was very different.
At the time of the 2005 Presidential Inauguration, I was smack dab in the middle of the worst depression I’d ever known. John Kerry, who was not an ideal choice for president but the best choice we had, had lost the 2004 election and the country was doomed to four more years of Bush politics-as-usual. The war would not be ending any time soon because Bush stubbornly refused to admit that it was a mistake. My family’s personal economy was spiraling downward into its own recession in spite of Bush’s assurances that the foundations of our economy were strong. Civil liberties and human rights and personal privacy were being eroded even more with each passing day. The helplessness and hopelessness that I’d felt were overwhelming and paralyzing. I knew that if my voice and the voices of others had not been heard in the prior four years, we certainly were not going to be heard now. The realization of being stuck on the outside of an arrogant government I did not choose and which did not represent me made it difficult to even want to get out of bed each day.
In the “Bible belt” area in which I live, people went on as if everything was fine. In their eyes, having a “good Christian man” in the Whitehouse who did not support abortion was of primary importance. If taking life at conception is wrong, I’d ask, how can taking life once it’s been born be any better? How can you shun abortion but embrace war? Only a few close friends and family understood what I meant. The others were only concerned at keeping the terrorists away, even if it meant supporting an unjust war. Their fear was a comforting blanket to which they chose to cling even if it meant clinging to lies and hate and deception.
I did not watch the 2005 Presidential Inauguration but I cried all the way through it anyway. My tears were painful ones, full of defeat and disgrace. How did we, the people of the United States of America, allow this to happen? Why did we vote the same man back in as President when we knew he was unwilling to listen to the people he had sworn to represent? How could we possibly endure four more years of war and world alienation?
Circumstances often need to hit the absolute bottom before change can happen. Humans are a cozy sort, content to bustle around within their own comfortable lives as long as everything is moving along fairly well. We’re very adept at putting our blinders on to block out injustice when it’s happening to others. In order for real change to happen, injustice had to happen to us. Nothing like a stock market crash to get everyone’s attention and keep it. At least when everything fell, the American people were able to rise up and make the choice for change.
Here we are in 2009, having just inaugurated our 44th President in a ceremony marked with unprecedented joy. A record number of people watched as the nation’s highest office enjoyed a seismic shift in leadership. Sharing in the hope and jubilance of this event with my fellow citizens makes me feel united with them in a way I’d never felt before.
As I watched President Obama speak during his Inaugural Address, my tears were not painful ones this time but instead were tears of hope and relief and optimism. When he spoke of knowing that we will meet our challenges, and that we are “a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity,” I felt restored and powerful and grateful. I’m proud to cry tears of joy today as an American, at this point in our history, when there is so very much to look forward to.
The last eight years have felt as if we’d all been living in a darkened room, with no sunlight permitted to peek inside. Today, with this inauguration, President Obama has torn off the shades, kicked down the walls, dispelled the demons, and invited us all to join him, outside, in the warmth and sunshine of a Brand New Day.
Comments
Yeah, it was a very dark time with a long time coming to an end. So glad to see that bugger buzz off to Texas.
Unbelievable day...
Today, I was drinking champagne at nine a.m. on a Tuesday in January to salute our new president with a heart full of joy.
HOOORAY! If you're interested, here is my newest blog stating my feelings today: http://open.salon.com/content.php?cid=87871 (Okay, I admit it, I 'm a blog whore.)
You said it, girlfriend.
We are lucky; we have OS to post these feelings to, because we might just bust with joy otherwise.
And I am with you here too.
yay, you.
Shiral - Champagne! I wish I'd thought of that! I'll check out your blog later tonight when I get home.
Pamela - I think we're on the brink of something really great.
Spud - I think he will do his best to represent all of us, even the people who don't like him. That will be the true measure of a great President.
Jimmy - I know what you mean. I don't want to be labeled as paranoid or anything, but I kept thinking that Bush or Cheney would find a way to stay in power. It feels like a 50-lb weight is lifted off my shoulders knowing that they're gone.
David - Yes, it IS a good day! Doesn't the sky even look brighter?
Persephone - I think there were a lot of us who were depressed. It feels good to be happy again. Yay US!
Michael - I love you, you know that, right? :)
Tom - You nailed it. That's the best description I've heard so far. Here's to freedom!
Lisa - dancing in the sunshine, too! I know how you feel.
Monte
LandP - Yes! Today is infinitely better than yesterday!
gracie - I agree. Tom has the best description I've ever heard for the past 8 years.
Monte - If the past 8 years were necessary in order for this day to happen, which is very possible, then it was all worth it. I think we're about to embark on a new "golden" period for America and I'm so grateful.
Yeah. Tears of joy, for sure.
My sister, who lives in Tokyo, is constantly being stopped on the street by strangers saying "Yes we can!" and "Obama!"
Who'da thunk it? The whole world (pretty much) is rejoicing with us.
Finally, a smart guy.
About "smart" - it's bound to get us farther than "arrogant" ever did.
Obama's election, his words, and his actions in just these first few days of his presidency have given me so much hope and joy, I barely know what to do with it. It has inspired me to be better and do better because I really do believe that the Brand New Day is here!