President Obama----My Sociology Paper felt blog worthy

January 20, 2008 was the first time I ever tuned in to watch an Inauguration Ceremony. Interestingly enough, my reason for tuning in was to watch the first African American President Elect become the 44th President of The United Stated of America. This was a moving experience to say the least. Watching 2 million people gathered to partake in a black man’s inauguration and his inaugural address. Although the experience was moving, it also was rooted in irony. He was inaugurated on the same platform designed by Benjamin Banneker. Perhaps it was the fact that forty-six years ago Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood on the opposite end of the parkway and delivered a speech that made his achievement possible. Maybe it may have simply been that about two hundred years ago African Americans weren’t even acknowledged as citizens and that this man stands as a symbol of how hard work and perseverance has help us truly over come.

Besides the aforementioned, I noticed that there were more than just African Americans basking in the glory of President Obama’s success. There were Caucasians, Asians, Hispanics, Indians, and even Europeans who came to Washington D.C just to say that they were a part of history. There were interviews of old men and women as well as college students and high schoolers who cut class to attend. An interesting story came from a news anchor who said she interviewed a nine year old from Georgetown and he said that watching the inauguration made him feel “full”. It was amazing to see all the different walks of life in unison. This almost reminded me of the dream that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of in his speech of all walks of life singing and collaborating in harmony. Although the unison may not have been possible without the falter of former President George W. Bush, none of the glory could be taken away from President Obama.

This event was one to remember. I haven’t felt that since of purpose since I first remember understanding what my ancestors bared just so I could have an opportunity to succeed. On Tuesday I felt, I could achieve anything. Having a white women plan the inauguration of a black president. I was honored and felt like we finally attained the ultimate retribution and reparation. My only concern was that my peers felt the same way.