Words For Hire

Business, PR, Marketing, Social Media 586.461.2103

You are here: Home / Insights / This Day In History

This Day In History

by

Living the Dream, President Barack Obama, Dr. ...
Image by BL1961 via Flickr

Written by Karen D. Swim

Today in the United States we will swear in our 44th President, and the first African American to hold the job.  Whatever your political beliefs, this historical moment will be part of our shared history.

In a country with an ugly history of racism,  we have crossed yet another milestone that distances us from our segregated past.  We remain a country with flaws and divisions but today there is hope that there is no wound too large to heal.

This is also the first Presidential Inauguration where social media will have a starring role.  As tweets are typed and photos are shared we are putting aside our differences for the day to share in this moment of celebration.

In my own family, there has been excitement mixed with moments of silent awe.  Yes, we have come this far.

I am thankful for those who dared to hope and worked to make those hopes a reality. My own hope is that we will continue to have audacious hope and work together  to attain things we thought never possible.

How do you feel about this day? Will you be watching the Inauguration live or via television?

Resources

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Comments

  1. @Jaden, our new President does have a lot of pressure. I hope, however, that part of the change we see is realizing that ordinary citizens can make a difference. We can work together to change our communities, and communities can change cities and cities can change states and of course states can change the nation. Our small actions when combined with other small actions make a big difference.

  2. Poor guy has a lot of pressure on him, no doubt, but there is NO WAY ON EARTH he can do worse than Bush! Is there? 😉 So he’ll do fine. He actually speaks English, which is nice for a change — you know, uses full sentences and correct grammar, and doesn’t snort and snivel. Ain’t too bad looking either.

    Every time I think about the social significance of this election, it gets me all choked up. The way I hear people talk, I really did not believe this was possible in my life time. I am moved and delighted that now the majority of Americans are officially not racist. That shocks me and brings me great joy. I feel like he is our only chance that the world might re-embrace us and not hate us anymore, or at least hate us less, depending on how Obama leads the country. Who knows what invisible political pressures await him behind those pillars, though.

    Like Prof Friar, I had to work, but I watched some funny clips without sound… The body language was hilarious… The Obamas were so affectionate and touching and kissing to the stiff old Bushes. It was an interesting simple display of the difference between them, something that cannot be faked.

    When you really want to know what someone is saying and what they are all about, you shut off the sound and just watch them.

    ScreenwritingforHollywood´s last blog post..The Un-Merry Go Round in Fear

  3. I watched the inauguration ceremony on cnn tv, and I was highly moved. Moved by the excellent speech (can’t imagine any German politician holding such a speech), the musical program (Aretha Franklin was great, wasn’t she) and the atmosphere. Of course words and political actions are two separate things. But words can promote actions, they can encourage, create a certain feeling and atmosphere. President Obama will come to Germany in April 2009, and many Germans (including myself) look forward to that date.

    Ulla Hennig´s last blog post..Blogapalooza

  4. I watched the inauguration on TV. It was a beautiful ceremony. Seeing Washington “live” on TV also brought back a flood of memories, by the way. It’s the place where my husband and I first met.

    Even though I am not an American, I find Obama’s speech inspiring!! It is truly a historic event. All the best to America!! The world is watching and waiting for its ripple effect.

    Evelyn Lim´s last blog post..HAVE-DO-BE or BE-DO-HAVE?

  5. It’s true that time will tell whether our new president will prove himself, but look at what he’s given us already – hope, inspiration, and a more positive outlook. Against all the odds, he achieved what so many thought impossible. I feel honored to be alive to witness this portion of American history. I’m also excited about the many changes – not only because we have our first African-American president but because he’s young, has a young family, and I personally find his relationship with Michelle particularly inspiring. This is a happy day indeed 😉

    Melissa Donovan´s last blog post..Why Proofreading Matters

  6. @Gennaro, you are so right that the work now begins and I hope this air of hope continues through his first 100 days and beyond.

    @Janice, I loved the musical selections! I also thought it was so cool for the Obamas to give President and Mrs. Bush gifts. What struck me most about the whole day is how inclusive it felt. As he spoke, I really felt like I too was part of it, not that I wasn’t before but it was different, as a woman, a small business owner, a regular citizen I felt part of it.

    @Wendi, *sigh* I thought of that too, it’s sad that we’ve had to deal with Gov. Blagojevich and the Madoff scandals but that is our America, eh , the good, bad and ugly. My heart dropped when I heard about Sen. Kennedy, I admire his fortitude at fighting through illness . My prayers are with him too.

  7. It feels especially proud to be from Chicagoland today…especially when I know it will only last a day until we have to go back to impeaching our Governor. 🙁 I’m enjoying the Sunshine while it lasts!!!

    I am saying a prayer for Ted Kennedy, I wish him well, I am glad he got to see as much of the ceremony as he did. I know he was a huge Obama supporter.

    Wendi Kelly- Life’s Little Inspirations´s last blog post..Inspired Movies

  8. It’s real, Karen. This country is giving the world an incredible point of inspiration. I am loving watching the whole thing. This peaceful transfer of power, one of great contextual importance. Why not believe we are what we see here today? That we can do better, be better.
    I thought the music selection was a particularly lovely choice, from Aretha to Itzak and YoYo…Freedom and Simple Gifts. I loved those.

    Back to the Coverage I go…..;-)

    Janice Cartier´s last blog post..Never Ending Brilliance

  9. @Brad, yes, from a political viewpoint we will have to see. Obama’s every move from this moment on will be highly scrutinized and undoubtedly criticized. With some he will do no wrong, and others have already found fault. It is going to take more than one man and four years to truly turn the country around. My hope is that our fervent participation in the Election will translate into daily action and an acknowledgment that it is not Obama’s America but OUR America.

    @Friar, your points really hit home for me. Me and Michelle Obama are the exact same age, born on the same day. And as an African American, my own family (still living members of my family) suffered segregation, so this day is deeply meaningful to me. As a matter of fact, it didn’t really sink in until today that this really was going to happen. Hard to put into words the emotions of this day.

    @Wendi, today I joined you in tears and I love, love, love that our new President recognizes the value of mankind, period. His statements about all people and all countries made me truly proud on this day. Rosa Say had a beautiful post today about Obama and leadership over on Say Aloha Coaching, incredibly insightful.

    @Joanna, I completely agree with you and the statements which embraced rather than isolated set the tone for what I believe will be healing. I loved Rosa’s post today too and I think part of my excitement is once again feeling hopeful, it’s a start.

  12. Karen, I feel very moved by what his election represents, and pleased / relieved / hopeful about his statements in relation to foreign policy and the environment – where the actions and words of your presidents have a direct impact on the rest of the world.

    I know what Brad means about the need for meat on the bones, but I feel he is signalling the need for responsibility rather than pleasing everyone, so remain hopeful.

    Joanna Young´s last blog post..Audacious Faith in the Future

  14. Umm…I can’t watch live. I have to be at work. 😉

    But I definitely want to check this out on the news when I get home. Even though it isn’t our country, lots of us Canadians are still pretty excited about Obama.

    I was born in ’64. Hard to believe that (almost within my lifetime) there were still “colored” water fountains in some states. Look how far things have come.

    I know things arent’ all necessarily great, regarding African-Americans. But at least this is a major step in the right direction.

    (Not to mention the fact that there’s a YOUNG president in charge, for a change.) …Someone who might be a bit more in touch with voters, than all those other old farts were! 😉

    Friar´s last blog post..Limited Time Offer: Learn SEO with this Certified On-Line Blog Course

  15. Hi Karen, Today’s events are truly historical and hugely significant, mainly for the reasons you talk about. I am excited about that, but my overriding sentiment at this point is – show me. I am eager to see how all this vague talk about change and unity and audacity translates into policy. While few would dispute the positive symbolic meaning of President Obama’s election, how his agenda will reshape the country politically and socially remains to be seen. I think the outcome could be anywhere from brilliant to disastrous. But I suppose any major change – and we are certainly in the midst of one – carries risk and brings uncertainty. Let’s hope and pray for the best and work together to get our great country back on track.

    Brad Shorr´s last blog post..B2B Sales and the Problem of Pain