I am watching the events of this Inauguration Day at a distance; yet, amazingly my being in England feels no farther away than if I were in North Carolina. Global communication and media access really do blur the miles. So, I will witness the live coverage today, as Barack Obama officially becomes the President of the United States.
I will share the occasion with my husband and my two year old. We will celebrate and always remember where we were when! And we will claim this memory for Laura-Clare as well and recount the events for her when she is older! After all, this is an occasion not to be missed, and this is a course of history for which we should be thankful! No doubt, I will tell her! Yet, there are some things about today that I would rather her not know.
I don't really want her to know that there are people who think their political opinions are more important than the historic milestone that is this Inauguration Day. I don't want her to know that people are more interested in criticizing on a day like today than respecting the monumental occasion that it is. I don't want her to know that people are so self-revolving that they think our election of the first African-American President is of little significance.
I read a troubling Facebook status this morning of a person who is more concerned about calculating numbers in order to prove a political point than about setting aside opinions in order to be respectful of people and of history in the making. I find myself rather concerned about this spirit of negativity and hopelessness. Okay, so I really don't take Facebook statuses that seriously; yet, I can't help but think even beyond the Facebook status about this person's voice of skepticism, criticism, and (I suspect) racism.
I am certainly not suggesting in my own reflection that judgment or division are appropriate even though I am concerned about the message being offered by this person. But, honestly, I don't want my daughter to know this voice.
Instead, I will tell her where she was when President Barack Obama stood before the world and committed his life to service, to hope, and to change! I will tell her what his election means for a country that has been plagued by racial injustice! I will tell her that no matter what our race, our background, our opinions, or even our Facebook status we do not divide ourselves from anyone!
This is a day that I will celebrate! And I will tell her!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
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7 comments:
And up in Blackburn, Will Grady will be doing exactly like you with their little daughter see http://ramblingsfromtheredrose.blogspot.com.
Thank you, Olive, for pointing me in his direction! I am thankful that our daughters will be in good company!
My son is in England and Wales with his university choir. I am wondering what his experience was today, watching his home news from afar. It has been fun watching the whole world celebrate with us. I am so happy and full of hope today!!
I certainly share in your spirit of hope, Carol! I think the global interest has made this occasion even more significant. I hope that your son felt the far-reaching joy!! Many thanks!
Obama did well :)
Let's all keep the President of the USofA in our prayers - that he will be filled with God's wisdom and not rest on his own (and his advisors') understanding - but seek the Lord's will in all things
This is a historic day - for me because I believe Obama is a believer and doesn't just pay lip service to being a Christian.
Time will judge him - but I beleive that if he seeks the Kingdom of God first - all else will fall into place ...
blessings :)
I was glued to facebook all day as I watched inauguration...but it was because a friend was in labor and had her husband updating her facebook account as she dilated! It was a riot! We were all "voting" for an epidural at 4 cm :) I owe you a real e-mail...you'll get it...
Amen Sister!!!!!!!! What a lovely entry!
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