https://imgs.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2009/01/20/mn-298x232-obama.jpg With Hope and Virtue...
Wow! That was quite the moment, wasn't it? The room at the Community Center down here in Marin erupted with cheers and a standing ovation the moment the oath was completed. I cried, as I am sure many of you did. A long dark chapter of our history ended (with Cheney in a wheelchair no less), and a new bright one was beginning, finally!
I can't tell you how good it feels to be proud of America and our government again, nor do I remember the last time that I, and those around me, sang our national anthem with a full measure of pride.:usflag:
"Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America." I'm excited to see how we will transform so that we will come into harmony with the realities of the moment, from climate change and renewable energy, from the clash of east and west, and terror and compassion. We have lived so long out of balance and have paid dearly for it. Many changes will come, some most welcome, others by necessity. All hopefully will bring us back inline with responsibility to each other and the planet.
:usflag:
" ...we are ready to lead once more." And once again, we have a true leader! It's quite amazing how that in such a demanding moment a leader has arisen that actually seems equal to the task. And by his graceful competence and clear vision I am inspired to recommit myself to doing my part.
Please share your thoughts, feelings, and intentions with us...
:usflag:
sambacat
01-21-2009, 12:18 AM
I feel a great lightness of being occurring all over this country today. People are dancing in the streets, talking to one another, feeling proud, finally hearing the words our souls have hungered for. The Dark Days are over! It is not just up to this inspirational being, President Obama, it is up to US to step up, transform, take responsibility for the direction America will take. Don't sit back with expectation. Keep pushing, keep helping, keep the vision of what could be.
Oh joy.
Gary Abreim
01-21-2009, 06:08 AM
Coming to D.C. for the inauguration has been an incredible adventure into experiencing a moment of history that is deeply and profoundly changing our lives as I write this. There is a meeting of human spirit here that has people in a state of joy, awe, tears and coming home…coming home to a place of thoughtfulness and yes…hope and change and together-we-can-do-it! Many people worldwide are sharing in this experience with us. Obama is helping us germinate some powerful seeds.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
It is a real joy for me to be here. I am grateful that my wonderful sweetie KayLynne said GO! I am grateful that my delightful niece from <st1:city w:st="on">Boise</st1:city> said I should come with her and her outrageous friend Dana from <st1:place w:st="on">Jackson Hole</st1:place>. I am profoundly grateful to the people who run Metro and the Metropolitan Police and National Guard and Park Service and sanitation workers that are serving us here.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Today I spent time with a beautiful man who is a member of the Texas Homeland Security Swat Team who was happy to be here. Today I met with a Mohawk tribesman in full eye-popping dress. Today I shook the hand of a black man who had his son videoing him while he gave his son a message of hope and told his son that he now has a President that supports him in being all that he wants to be.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Washington</st1:city> <st1:state w:st="on">D.C.</st1:state></st1:place> has been in quite a groove of joy and absolute wonder! Parents are seeing greater possibilities for their kids…it’s in the air. I have gained an ever greater appreciation for the black people of our country who have come here in the many many hundreds of thousands…people who in the past didn’t turn out for inaugurations. Today was a special celebration and acknowledgment for them. I have gained a greater respect of people of all colors. The theme of the Inauguration is “We are One” has clearly done its thing.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
There is much that I look forward to sharing when I return and more so, there is much to do as we all go forward into some real troubling waters. I/we are being asked to do more and sacrifice; however, sacrifice in a way that’s good and we’ll all feel better for it….maybe sacrifice isn’t quite the word.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Tomorrow I hope to take Denise and Dana to the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Lincoln</st1:city></st1:place> and Jefferson Memorial and walk buy the Obama’s new digs. My time here is precious and I want to take a real big gulp and then come home and digest it with you. I am blessed with a certain constitution and curiosity that allows me to have these momentous adventures…and thanks to all who supported my coming. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
…Denise just came back in the room repeating “It’s a Good Day for the World…It’s a Good Day for the World.”<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
That sums it up.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Talk soon.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Gary</st1:city></st1:place>
https://imgs.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2009/01/20/mn-298x232-obama.jpg With Hope and Virtue...
Wow! That was quite the moment, wasn't it? The room at the Community Center down here in Marin erupted with cheers and a standing ovation the moment the oath was completed. I cried, as I am sure many of you did. A long dark chapter of our history ended (with Cheney in a wheelchair no less), and a new bright one was beginning, finally!
I can't tell you how good it feels to be proud of America and our government again, nor do I remember the last time that I, and those around me, sang our national anthem with a full measure of pride.:usflag:
"Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America." I'm excited to see how we will transform so that we will come into harmony with the realities of the moment, from climate change and renewable energy, from the clash of east and west, and terror and compassion. We have lived so long out of balance and have paid dearly for it. Many changes will come, some most welcome, others by necessity. All hopefully will bring us back inline with responsibility to each other and the planet.
:usflag:
" ...we are ready to lead once more." And once again, we have a true leader! It's quite amazing how that in such a demanding moment a leader has arisen that actually seems equal to the task. And by his graceful competence and clear vision I am inspired to recommit myself to doing my part.
Please share your thoughts, feelings, and intentions with us...
:usflag:
Tars
01-21-2009, 08:34 AM
My favorite pundit quote about the inauguration : (Tom Friedman, from the NYT):
"I saw an African-American street vendor wearing a home-stenciled T-shirt that pretty well captured the moment — and then some. It said: “Mission Accomplished.”
Larissad
01-21-2009, 09:24 AM
Hello Everyone.
Below is a letter I was moved to write yesterday to our new president after watching the inauguration. I also felt moved to share it with others. Thank you for reading.
In Light & Love,
Larissa
January 20, 2009
Dear President Obama,
This morning you took the Oath of Office and, as the first African-American president of the United States of America, addressed the world. A sea of well dressed people were present in Washington, DC to witness this. I've heard it was an historic turn out. But, even more folks watched you on a screen from some remote location; in kitchens, living rooms, offices, churches, classrooms, diners, bars. I watched you on the screen of my iBook from the comfort of my Northern California dining room while wearing my ladybug footie pajamas, drinking my morning cup of tea. Somewhat ironic, the last time I sat down and seriously wrote a Letter-to-the-President, I was of an age more commonly associated with wearing footie pajamas.
I must say sir, that while I voted for a third party ticket, McKinney/Clemente, I was greatly relieved to see you win the election. (John McCain really scares me!) Regardless of what you do or do not achieve while in office, the election of someone other than an old white guy is a sign of hope for all those who have been, or who are presently oppressed. I talked to my Mother (who lives in the Detroit area) about this over the phone Monday night. She is happy for this reason too, but made the point that it will be a happier day when someone other than an old white guy is elected and no one thinks it anything special. In the long run, I agree, but I also feel your election is a big step in the right direction and think at least a little celebration is in order. We are far from that day when no one thinks it anything special, and even farther from the day when it's a woman!, or farther yet, a woman of color! in your position. I can't help but hope this was among the thoughts running through your mind as you sat with your wife and daughters, awaiting the moment when you would take that Oath.
There are many challenges facing Americans; indeed all the world, as you pointed out in your address today. You offered an outstretched hand to others if they first unclench their fist. I agree. It is hard to accept help when your hands are clenched in fists. But, it is imperative that America look at the state of its own hands and at why others' fists are clenched to begin with. All over the world, and here at home, there are fists clenched against the effects of oppressive, exclusive and unjust practices of the United States government and businesses; the line between the two becoming fainter with each bailout and cover-up.
You spoke about restoring American's trust in their government. It will take A LOT for this American to trust her government. Besides, I don't think it is ever a good idea for anyone to totally trust any government. Lest we become complacent and the Patriot Act gets passed, an illegal war is waged or habius-corpus is rendered null and void...oh, wait.
Some of the folks who spoke at your inauguration were from my state, California. Supposedly these people represent me. Though I can't say their words, actions or voting record show it. America can't afford an uneducated public. Yet, here in California public school libraries have been cut. I guess I shouldn't worry too much, since the building of more prisons to hold the poor, uneducated, angry population is being funded.
You have inspired people with your gift of powerful oration. All the hope and excitement is alluring I admit. But I can't help but remain cautious. I hear lots of talk about change. But few I talk to think they have any influence over this change other than their vote for you. My hope is that more Americans will be inspired to take initiative and act in their communities to bring about positive change. My fear is that most Americans will treat this opportunity for change like they do a football game...they're cheering America on with reckless abandon, but they're not really on the team. They just have a jersey.
Congratulations Mr. President. May peace guide your heart and hands.
Your fellow citizen,
Larissa L. Dahroug
Sara S
01-22-2009, 06:41 AM
Excellent, Barry! I'm old enough to remember that, forty years ago, when Dick Nixon was elected president, my heart sank; I lost hope for this country then. After seeing the assassinations of both Kennedys and then the election of such a sleazy character, I really felt that our electoral process was permanently damaged. My then husband was a college prof, and we both wore black armbands to school the next day.
Until this election, there had really been nothing that radically changed that view, but I feel hope again now for the first time in forty years, and it is an amazingly wonderful feeling.
Sara S.
https://imgs.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2009/01/20/mn-298x232-obama.jpg With Hope and Virtue...
Wow! That was quite the moment, wasn't it? The room at the Community Center down here in Marin erupted with cheers and a standing ovation the moment the oath was completed. I cried, as I am sure many of you did. A long dark chapter of our history ended (with Cheney in a wheelchair no less), and a new bright one was beginning, finally!
I can't tell you how good it feels to be proud of America and our government again, nor do I remember the last time that I, and those around me, sang our national anthem with a full measure of pride.:usflag:
"Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America." I'm excited to see how we will transform so that we will come into harmony with the realities of the moment, from climate change and renewable energy, from the clash of east and west, and terror and compassion. We have lived so long out of balance and have paid dearly for it. Many changes will come, some most welcome, others by necessity. All hopefully will bring us back inline with responsibility to each other and the planet.
:usflag:
" ...we are ready to lead once more." And once again, we have a true leader! It's quite amazing how that in such a demanding moment a leader has arisen that actually seems equal to the task. And by his graceful competence and clear vision I am inspired to recommit myself to doing my part.
Please share your thoughts, feelings, and intentions with us...
:usflag:
ginayjackson
01-22-2009, 10:26 AM
Barry,
Words cant adequately express the joy and excitement I felt looking at my brothah taking the oath as President. I felt vindicated for all ridicule I received as a child for being bi-racial. In a flash I saw the faces of those that beat me because I had a white mother and a black father. I could see justice was served for the many attacks we as a family endured. Yet in that moment I felt the weight of all who endured attacks, beatings, being denied a job, a place to live, courtesy on the street, grocery store, doctors office just because of the color of skin.
I felt a new sense of pride I had never felt before because the United States had never been fair to me or my people. So much is unsaid because how can one put into words hundreds of years of oppression in one sentence?
But I know there's no better representative of this milestone could exist. A man that is the epitome of America. A man that is black and white racial decent just like many many Americans today. Our races are forever intertwined as a result of slavery and those who didnt see color. My joy is encouraged that for once we are one. One nation, one people;the great american melting pot has been served.
"we are ready to lead again" simply because we as Americans have stated boldly that we have gotten past our racial divide and the wounds of deprivation have healed. We have stated to the whole world that we lead by example, we can co-exist though we have many differences. If we as a nation can rise above the shameful events of our past, forgive and forget, then you(other nations) can do it too. In the end we have more in common than we know, if we just take time to find them. First we must stop fighting, bickering over who did what and listen to the voice of homosapien an evolved mankind.
https://imgs.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2009/01/20/mn-298x232-obama.jpg With Hope and Virtue...
Wow! That was quite the moment, wasn't it? The room at the Community Center down here in Marin erupted with cheers and a standing ovation the moment the oath was completed. I cried, as I am sure many of you did. A long dark chapter of our history ended (with Cheney in a wheelchair no less), and a new bright one was beginning, finally!
I can't tell you how good it feels to be proud of America and our government again, nor do I remember the last time that I, and those around me, sang our national anthem with a full measure of pride.:usflag:
"Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America." I'm excited to see how we will transform so that we will come into harmony with the realities of the moment, from climate change and renewable energy, from the clash of east and west, and terror and compassion. We have lived so long out of balance and have paid dearly for it. Many changes will come, some most welcome, others by necessity. All hopefully will bring us back inline with responsibility to each other and the planet.
:usflag:
" ...we are ready to lead once more." And once again, we have a true leader! It's quite amazing how that in such a demanding moment a leader has arisen that actually seems equal to the task. And by his graceful competence and clear vision I am inspired to recommit myself to doing my part.
Please share your thoughts, feelings, and intentions with us...
:usflag:
Barry
01-22-2009, 01:32 PM
Thanks for sharing your joy, pride and wise words, Gina! I'm sure its a powerful transition for those of color.
I like to think that what's even more exciting is that for me, and I am sure many others, the race factor is all but overlooked. I'm excited about who he is, and where he wants to lead us, and how capable and gifted he seems to be! The color thing just serves to underline the "now for something completely different" aspect of it!
And I'm sure it will go a long way to heal the racial tensions that still persist. Although, when I think about that, and when I reflect on how such prejudice lives on in me, its more about cultural distinctions rather than race and/or skin color. I'm fine with a well educated black man (and I think bi-racial folks are often a good example of hybrid vigor!), but if I'm in the vicinity of someone from a clearly different sub-culture, no mater what their skin color, speaking their own lingo and not of our (boring) middle class orientation, my mistrust often starts to rise, though I wish it wasn't so. I think that has more to do with culture and economics rather than race, though the issues are clearly intertwined.
Barry,
Words cant adequately express the joy and excitement I felt looking at my brothah taking the oath as President. I felt vindicated for all ridicule I received as a child for being bi-racial. In a flash I saw the faces of those that beat me because I had a white mother and a black father. I could see justice was served for the many attacks we as a family endured. Yet in that moment I felt the weight of all who endured attacks, beatings, being denied a job, a place to live, courtesy on the street, grocery store, doctors office just because of the color of skin.
I felt a new sense of pride I had never felt before because the United States had never been fair to me or my people. So much is unsaid because how can one put into words hundreds of years of oppression in one sentence?
But I know there's no better representative of this milestone could exist. A man that is the epitome of America. A man that is black and white racial decent just like many many Americans today. Our races are forever intertwined as a result of slavery and those who didnt see color. My joy is encouraged that for once we are one. One nation, one people;the great american melting pot has been served.
"we are ready to lead again" simply because we as Americans have stated boldly that we have gotten past our racial divide and the wounds of deprivation have healed. We have stated to the whole world that we lead by example, we can co-exist though we have many differences. If we as a nation can rise above the shameful events of our past, forgive and forget, then you (other nations) can do it too. In the end we have more in common than we know, if we just take time to find them. First we must stop fighting, bickering over who did what and listen to the voice of homosapien an evolved mankind.
ginayjackson
01-24-2009, 05:51 PM
Barry,
your brutal honesty is refreshing. I commend you on your bravery to state your feelings. We need more men in the world with this virtue. This is the beginning of dialog. Once dialog commences a better understanding can begin.
I relate to your mistrust when people speak in a language I don't understand and that's just human nature. For me personally, the same thing happens when I get my nails done at the shop and the Vietnamese owners are speaking among themselves, it seems like they are commenting about me. I'm probably mistaken but I cant help but feel uncomfortable when that happens.
Yes these issues are intertwined but keep in mind that your mistrust may stem from a stereo-type and you must ask yourself why do you feel that way. Is is because the are a lower economic demographic and you are afraid they might steel from you?, rhetorically speaking. Is it because you really don't understand what they are saying and afraid they are secretly speaking about you? These are just a few of the questions you must ask yourself; be fair and open minded to what you don't understand.
Frankly speaking, I remember in the late 90's I was living in Santa Rosa and by mid 2005 the population of latinos exploded. These immigrants were different from the chicanos that I was accustomed to as a child growing up in the mission district of San Francisco. My experience was that they were rude and lousy drivers. Looking back I realize that it was an isolated incident of a rude person and not all latinos are inconsiderate. Perhaps their driving was due to the unfamiliarity of the streets and roads along with being new to the area.
Let me add to the "sub-culture" you might have been referring to; blacks have a way of speaking that differs from regular american english. This is in part directly related to the african dialect that our ancestors passed down. The other part is a desperate attempt to be different, to have some sort of identity since all sense of identity and culture was stripped from our people. Blacks have created their own culture due to the fact that they had no culture of their own. It is a mixture of old traditions (behaviors) passed down from african roots and slave owners and language old and newly invented words and phrases. Hence you have a "black" way of speaking, dressing, cooking and thereby a sub-culture if you will, to set themselves apart from white america. If you took that away, we as blacks are very very similar to white americans in every sense of the word.
I hope this helps. Once again thanks for your honesty.
Thanks for sharing your joy, pride and wise words, Gina! I'm sure its a powerful transition for those of color.
I like to think that what's even more exciting is that for me, and I am sure many others, the race factor is all but overlooked. I'm excited about who he is, and where he wants to lead us, and how capable and gifted he seems to be! The color thing just serves to underline the "now for something completely different" aspect of it!
And I'm sure it will go a long way to heal the racial tensions that still persist. Although, when I think about that, and when I reflect on how such prejudice lives on in me, its more about cultural distinctions rather than race and/or skin color. I'm fine with a well educated black man (and I think bi-racial folks are often a good example of hybrid vigor!), but if I'm in the vicinity of someone from a clearly different sub-culture, no mater what their skin color, speaking their own lingo and not of our (boring) middle class orientation, my mistrust often starts to rise, though I wish it wasn't so. I think that has more to do with culture and economics rather than race, though the issues are clearly intertwined.