Today - This Day - Is a Day of History
Posted by: Ruel Knudson in Developer Blog, Personal Post
Today, again, America makes history. Unless you are so far to the right that you actually believe that Obama is a Muslim or the Anti-Christ, or a Communist (note: Socialism is not Communism - your local police, fire department, public schools, and churches are all socialist programs), you cannot help but feel a sense of pride about this historic day. You don’t even have to be an American to share this day with us. Today is the day that America welcomes its new President. For good or ill, we have chosen Barack Obama and history will judge this day on that accord. However, that being said, today is, without a doubt, the culmination of so many dreams and hopes for this country. Today is a day of history and I, as an American, am proud.
I have heard and read so many things that try to cast an ill light on today that I am in some small part disgusted with some Americans and their doubts. I remind myself that even the greatest leaders have had their adherent detractors, including Washington, Lincoln, Kennedy, and FDR. However, one of the things I have seen yesterday was something that made me sad for many people. I watched Dr. Kings “I have a Dream” speech yesterday on CNN for the first time in my life. Most Americans have never seen that speech in its entirety, and today, I sat my children down with me and watched. It was something so powerful that it brought tears to my eyes.
Then I read things that try to detach today from MLK’s dream and to those people I say this: No, Obama is not MLK. No one with half a brain equates the two. MLK and Obama are two different people with two different ideas. However, MLK would not, at least from what I know of the person I watched speak yesterday, would not say “This is great that we now have an African American President, but why did it have to be that guy?” The truth is that MLK would be proud of the country for its accomplishments over the past few years (it is less than 50 years since that speech). He would have been proud that Obama, as a black man and as an American, that overcame the statistics and rose to be the President in which the hopes and dreams of so many in the world rest.
I am confident in Obama not only because he may be a good President, but because he knows, as well as anyone, that the legacy of Dr. King and Lincoln, and all those who fought and died so that this country could have a Barrack Obama for President, reside on how well of a job he does. With so much history riding on his success I believe that this man knows he must succeed as the voice and will of a country and govern as such.
You might not agree with his policies, but as Americans we should stand together today in hope. Forget about your Right Wing philosophy and ideology. Put aside the bubble that makes you afraid. This country succeeds on the strength and unity of its people. You may not unify behind this man, but you can unify behind the country that has once again defined history.
And to put this into context, most first world countries do not have minorities in office of any kind, or if they do it is a rare and insignificant amount. The idea of an African American President is just a big deal for Americans, and a symbol to all minorities, as it is to all the other countries of the world. We are the first. We have set a new standard for the world. The world watches with love and respect as we welcome him.
It is time, today, to show the world how much love you have for this country and its will. Your country chose this Obama. Stand with your country and applaud our new President. Stand with your countrymen and welcome this new change for the world. Say it with me now:
God Bless America!
