Posted by Shyam Moondra on January 20, 2009
Today, 45 years after Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his "I Have a Dream" speech at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., Barack Obama, an African American, was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America.
Obama's father was a Black Muslim from Kenya, although his white mother and maternal grand parents raised him as a devout Christian. It would seem unimaginable that a black man named Barack Hussein Obama could ever become the president of the United States.
It's no coincidence that Obama admires Abraham Lincoln the most and draws inspiration from him. It was Lincoln who ended slavery in the United States and was called by Frederick Douglass, one of the most prominent African Americans in the history of the United States, "emphatically the black man's president." It was no surprise that Obama chose to replicate Lincoln's train ride to Washington, D.C. for his inaugural.
Today's historic swearing-in by Obama, which was witnessed by over two million Americans, is clearly one of the defining moments in the history of the United States. While this was a matter of pride for all Americans, whites and non-whites alike, this monumental achievement has also demonstrated to the world what America is all about – a place where anyone can realize his or her dreams. The inauguration of the Obama presidency reflects the character and strength of America that even our adversaries envy. Obama's election has instantly resurrected the admiration, respect, and love that many people around the world have had for America.
Obama ran a brilliant and disciplined campaign; he was inspiring on the campaign trail; and he offered a message of hope in tumulus times. Obama's emphasis on inclusiveness and unity, sense of individual responsibility and purpose, and governmental transparency resonated well with the electorate. His calm and steady demeanor throughout the tough primary contest showed that he had what it takes to be a great president. His victory in the general election with an overwhelming majority demonstrated that the country was ready for a change.
Obama achieved so much and yet so much remains to be done. He now has to lead the country, in a non-partisan way, out of the current economic malaise. Never before, a new president inherited so much on his plate. Obama has to fix the economy and improve the lives of the middle class, bring the Iraq war to a conclusion, fight terrorism head-on in Afghanistan and Pakistan, solve the health care crisis, achieve energy independence, address the problem of global warming, settle once and for all the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, deal with belligerent Iran and North Korea and an overly aggressive Russia, improve the declining educational system, and tackle the entitlement programs. Obama has the intelligence, laser like focus, and energy to work on multiple issues and achieve big things for the entire world. He may very well nudge the U.S. Congress, that has in recent years become the weakest link in the government, towards becoming a more responsive and productive institution. If Obama and Congress can work together constructively and inclusively, the Obama presidency may prove to be one of the greatest presidencies of our times.
The road ahead is full of obstacles but for now the spirit of America is up and we should celebrate and cherish this extraordinary milestone in our history.
