On The American Inauguration

[Angeline]

I watched the address and the images were wonderful, but the words were sort of empty. I teared up plenty at how nice the presentation was and how so many people were so excited. But I mean, I can't accept the aesthetic/poetic quality of his words about peace and such if I don't think he's gonna pull the troops out of Iraq/afghanistan in the four years he's president.

I agree though I believe him that pulling out of Iraq is a done deal. Well, at least from his perspective. He may have a fight from congressional opposition, and none of us can predict what may happen. Afghanistan is gonna be really tricky, imo. I hope we can get out of there asap, too, but that situation seems much less clear to me. And I hate us being involved in any military action but Afghanistan makes me especially nervous because of the terrain and the nature of that kind of fighting. It makes me think of Kosovo or Viet Nam--lots of guerrilla warfare and all but impossible to deal with strategically. I pray daily for the power of diplomacy, allies, and other non-military ways of dealing with it...

 

[PandoraGlitters]

Hi bflagsst. And yep, I believe Obama is going to actually do most of what he promised. In part, I believe this because he has told the American people that we must become responsible for ourselves.

This culture of responsibility, I am told, began right away. People who attended the inauguration were handed trash bags at the end of the event and were requested to help clean up the litter.

 

[ewopper]

This is the spot to post your feelings, poems, thoughts on the inauguration of President Barack Obama. I just have to share that I watched this today:

"We reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals," and
"To all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more."

among a shouting, jubilant mass of inner city youth and struggled not to cry (much). Did anyone else? What did you think about Elizabeth Alexander's poem?

ETA: I got a text from a friend in England who said simply, "Yay, America."

I have been away for awhile but here is a poem Iwrote about the inauguration.

Yes We Can

From the slave house to the white house
The journey’s been long
Through many fears and doubts
Our people marched on

Through cotton fields and bad ordeals
Of racism and bigotry
The prayers of black people really keeping it real
Brought us to this reality

From Rosa refusing to go to the back of the bus
So some white man could sit
To invoking a new found pride in all of us
Standing up to segregation’s whip

With white brothers and sisters joining the fight
We took up the torch for equality
And the blood that was shed for civil rights
Brought us to this reality

From the brutal murder of Emmet Till
To the death of other martyrs slain
Somehow black people preserved the will
And the equality dream still remained

From a balcony in Memphis to the white house steps
To the highest office in the land
The dreams of a dreamer were finally met
In the electing of a black man

And not because of color of skin
As the dreamer prophetically foretold
But because of the character he had within
And the stance he took brave and bold

And now that History has turned the page
On it’s way to a brand new day
Despite the ferocity of bigotry’s rage
America embraced the vision of a better way

And the Lord God in my eyes anointed the vision
In the election of this man
And granted mercy and favor to our decision
To make him the leader of our land

And as we go forth through the valleys of despair
Around the mountains of adversity
We as a nation have become acutely aware
Of this new found reality

For business as usual is no longer accepted
A time for true change has come
And with the people behind the one we elected
Yes we can… truly get things done

H. Wilson

 

[ewopper]

I agree though I believe him that pulling out of Iraq is a done deal. Well, at least from his perspective. He may have a fight from congressional opposition, and none of us can predict what may happen. Afghanistan is gonna be really tricky, imo. I hope we can get out of there asap, too, but that situation seems much less clear to me. And I hate us being involved in any military action but Afghanistan makes me especially nervous because of the terrain and the nature of that kind of fighting. It makes me think of Kosovo or Viet Nam--lots of guerrilla warfare and all but impossible to deal with strategically. I pray daily for the power of diplomacy, allies, and other non-military ways of dealing with it...

another poem Iwrote

Keeping it Real

A young man told me I ought to keep it real
And immediately my mind went back to many an ordeal
Faced by black people along the way
To get to where we are today

It was real to hear of black people murdered and killed
It was real knowing sick minds got a certain thrill
From having blacks sit in the back of the bus
To the degrading names and shame heaped on us

It was real seeing black mothers on their knees
Scrubbing and cleaning for white families
It was real knowing the danger and plight
Of speaking to a woman who was white

It was real when our black heroes went off to war
Yet denied the liberties they gave their blood for
It was plenty sho’ nuff real
The lashes felt by slaves in cotton fields

It was real how many a day
Blacks were lynched or shot for running away
From a white plantation owner who did savor
The benefits of working Negroes for cheap labor

Rosa parks kept it real refusing to get up
So a white man could have her seat on the bus
Dr. King kept it real till on a motel balcony
His life was brought to an end needlessly

When Obama announced his plan
To run for the office of highest in the land
Some told him that he shouldn’t
While win, others believed he couldn’t

But against all odds he decided to run
And when all was said and done


Running a great campaign he proved many wrong
And gave all who witnessed a brand new song
Proving that he had the appeal
To win it all… now that’s keeping it real

H. Wilson

 

[PandoraGlitters]

Thank you, ewhopper. I was moved by your powerful images and reminder of why Obama's election is so important.