I am a proud citizen of the United States of America. I am a woman who feels quite passionately about our country, its citizens, our freedoms, and its leaders. I do not take lightly the rights I have as a citizen, and the rights which have been lobbied and fought for so I may live and enjoy this land. I love our military and its service men and women (not just the way they look in uniform), and am so thankful to them. The sight of our Stars & Stripes waving proudly brings tears to my eyes. I love the United States and I love the fact that I am an American.
Several years ago (1993) I had the opportunity to travel to the District of Columbia and participate in the Inauguration of President Bill Clinton. The feelings I had in that city are feelings I have yet to be moved by since. Granted, it was quite an eye-opening experience for us sheltered children from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma- THE buckle of the Bible Belt- but one that will always be remembered by every single one of us then teenagers. Needless to say, watching the Inauguration of President Barack Obama brought back many of those same feelings and many memories. I had tears in my eyes as I watched President Obama take the Oath of Office, using the same Bible that President Lincoln used. I am so proud of that man and his family. Look at the large things this man has accomplished in his few years. As I watched the Inaugural Parade, and I saw the area where the President sits, I remember marching past it with my frozen toes and shoes covered with equine droppings. I remember seeing President Clinton and Hillary in her awesome hat watching us. I felt like I was right there once again.
I have a friend, Barry Lenard, who was able to travel to Washington D.C. to witness the inauguration of our 44th President. Here is a quote from something he wrote. "I've spent the last two days in D. C., mingling with an ecclectic group of humanity all intent on witnessing a most unprecedented moment in human history: a free nation, freely appointing to its highest leadership position, a member of a minority group," and "So whether or not you voted for Barack Obama, whether you're a Republican or a Democrat or an Independent or a Federalist or a Wig, remember that today, you're an American; and remember that that singular fact is pretty special,".
May President Obama receive the prayers and good intentions of the citizens of the United States. I know he will be in my prayers, as well as his family.
2 comments:
You go girl! It was moving just knowing that America elected a minority but you know me and how mad I got each of the one million times the news talked about the inauguration of our first "black" President. I would be heart broken if my sons were elected and just referred to as black as if I didn't carry them for nine months, get cut open to have them then raised them. I guess his mother and grandparents don't exist! Why has this NEVER been brought up before? It kills me as the mother of bi-racial/mulatto children! I won't be denied! Good post though and your friend's words are awesome!
EXACTLY!!! I feel so irritated when people say "You're the white mother of a black child,". Um...that's awfully closed minded of you to say that...Jim Crow laws. Don't give me crap about that's just how it is. YOU (speaking of us, as humans) have the power to change that attitude. Obama is a minority, nothing more. If people are going to take that point and run with it, they should make a huge deal of him being the first elected president who is anything BUT white...a minority. They should make a big deal out of the fact that he did not come from a "traditional" home background, that he didn't use any excuses. I NEVER want people to look at my daughter and just think of her as black- I carried her, nourished her, got cut open and poked by needles to have her....I count, too! So- if we're going to celebrate anything besides our new President's abilities, let's celebrate the fact that he's not a "cookie cutter" official.
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