America: A Rejuvenated Nation

       Finally having had a chance to watch President Obama's inauguration on DVR, I am finding myself at a loss for how to begin wrapping my mind around the historical significance of the occasion. First and foremost, I am brought to recognize the greatness of the event itself. Aside from the actual swearing in of America's first African American President, my immediate focus lies on what a media frenzy surrounds such an ordeal. The ABC newscaster just mentioned that this inauguration is the largest security-detailed event in U.S. history. I would dare to say it, too, is the largest media-detailed event in American history. Regular programing on television news stations has ceased regular scheduling for the day, and my DVR timeline for the inauguration caps out at seven hours and thirty minutes. All the while, the world has been watching - from the west front of the Capitol to Kogelo, Kenya. The ABC broadcast frames the world and its nations at a standstill - swarming websites to catch a glimpse of live streams, dancing their fingers across keyboards to express their feelings on blog sites, even taking time out from school curriculum, eyes glued to the television, in awe of the spectacle. 

       And here I sit, more than twenty-four hours post-inauguration, feeling those same feelings of amazement and pride. Aretha Franklin belting out "My Country, 'Tis of The" nearly brought me to tears in recognition of how blessed I am to be an American- a moment experienced too seldom by so many Americans. Watching the camera pan the sea of flag-waving citizens in front of the Lincoln Memorial gives me chills.

       Above all, the theme of the event is 'moving forward.' 'Change.''Joining together.' The concept of Americans as 'we.' Of course, this may have very well been concluded prior to watching the inauguration; however, in broadcast, it is more evident than ever. As Senator Dianne Feinstein proclaimed, "We gather to etch another line in the solid stone of history... Future generations will mark this morning as the turning point for real and necessary change in our nation." Reverend Lowery went on to propose, "May all people of good will today join together to work for a.... more peaceful planet."

       When President Obama finally took to the podium, ABC news anchor Charlie Gibson pronounced, "What a moment for the man. What a moment for the country." How profound. The parallels between the rhetoric of this event and remarkable, historical moments of the past are quite striking. I found this particular quote to be reminiscent of Neil Armstrong's "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" statement. 

       Obama's speech was awesome. Although a great few would disagree, I felt it humbling. So wrapped-up are we in a sense that everything is going to be, for lack of a better word, perfect now that Mr. Obama has taken office. In reality, however, there are countless challenges to be met and obstacles to conquer. I took the President's message as a sign that he recognizes the possibility of, what I like to call, the "what now" effect. Obama's president. We've been looking forward to this moment for quite some time. The world is watching. "What now?" Those familiar with Arthur O'Shaughnessy's 'Ode' may find parallels linking it's tone with that of Obama's inauguration speech - a tone of balance, sending the message that we can change the world, yet history has proven we also have the power to destroy it. It is now our task to decide which road we will choose and, in doing so, make the changes and compromises necessary to come out the other end as nation "that is coming to birth." 

       Briefly, Elizabeth Alexander's "Praise Song for the Day" is beautiful. However, her delivery was not so. I was able to grasp more meaning and feeling from a printed version of her work than I was her robotic interpretation. In tune with the days theme, "Praise Song" lends to the message of  America as a 'we' 'moving forward' while touching on Obama's tone of a hopefully optimistic, yet slightly uncertain future. She wrote, "I know there's something better down the road... We walk into that which we cannot yet see." 

       Overall, I feel Americans have been granted a "fresh slate" (Obama) to paint their feelings of rejuvenation and pride in Democracy. I am proud to be an American.