Yesterday saw the swearing in of America's forty-fourth president. Tuesday morning was a landmark inaugural not only for cementing into history (with Lincoln’s bible no less) of the first black US president, but also, and more so, for the new era of hope that was sworn in as Obama took the oath of office.
Hearing Obama’s words yesterday truly inspired me and I felt uplifted by his speech. I began to see his words clearer than ever, sitting at my desk watching the live feed from CNN. His words brought a sense of hope, something so desperately needed in times like these. And more than the feeling of hope, Obama lends the impression to the public that he is more than a face and a puppet, but rather an honest-to-goodness man of his word. Or so I hope. Regardless of whether or not Obama will succeed, the fact that he inspired the American populace and resurrected belief in the US government, is a feat that should be applauded in itself.
Obama as a candidate and now our forty-fourth president conveys the old-time ideals of a “man of the people.” He recalls the very ideals and characteristics of our Founding Fathers so long ago. I cannot help but feel that perhaps, this time, a politician is really someone of the people and really has all of our best interests at heart. Obama in so many ways is unlike the typical run-of-the-mill D.C. suit. For one, his youth and charisma have caught the hearts of so many American citizens, pulling people together from various backgrounds. In a word, Obama is down-to-earth. And by extension, his wife and the First Lady, Michelle Obama, is a woman of common sense and not someone I would want to get on the wrong side of. That cannot be a bad start to a new administration with those two leading the White House helm. In many ways, Obama is unlike most politicians, in that he is “normal.” He is just like us, one of the people.
Elizabeth Alexander, a Yale professor, was chosen to read at the inauguration and commissioned a poem for the event titled, “Praise Song for the Day.” Her poem simultaneously celebrates Obama’s inauguration and provides a glimpse of the everyday American life, of which Obama is a part of. Hearing her read her poem aloud, in front of millions of people on Washington Mall and to so many more watching via satellite, lent life to her words. The slow paced rhythm with which she read allowed her audience to take in her words and gave time enough for images of daily life to form. In particular, the third, fourth, and fifth stanzas of the poem create the images of actual people moving about. She mentions “someone…stitching up a hem/darning a hole in a uniform/ patching a tire/ repairing the things in need of repair.” The simple motions of repairing worn objects, such as clothing and tires, are actions all of us do and thus, can relate to. All of the uplifting motifs and messages of love and hope throughout the poem are made more relatable by the mention of simple actions we all do. In the poem, there is “a woman and her son wait[ing] for the bus/ a farmer consider[ing] the changing sky/ a teacher say[ing] ‘take out your pencils, begin.’” In the morning people waiting for a bus is a common sight which adds to the poem’s reliability and the bond of mother and son emphasizes the message of love and bonds between people. The mention of a farmer recalls the image of America’s roots as a farming country. Farmers are also thought of as the common people, of whom throughout the 2008 campaign, all candidates claimed to be from. Farmers also provide the food that ends up on most, if not all, American tables. This further connects all people, since everyone has to eat. The inclusion of the teacher and the test beginning in a classroom somewhere is familiar to everyone. At some point or another we have heard that, most especially those of us who are still students (who had a huge hand in Obama’s overwhelming victory. The 2008 election had a high percentage of young voters.) All in all, Alexander’s poem is a lyrical tribute to all of what Obama has already accomplished and all of what he will. Obama has inspired so many people from all levels and backgrounds. He has inspired such a moving poem from an established artist, has united a much divided country, and has started the new year on the tone of hope. Yesterday was truly a shining day, a ray of light in the cold.
Obama will hopefully continue to widen the pool of light in this country. And yet, on a side note, this man still manages to remain level headed, untouched by the glamour of president-elect, and keep things cool (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30-lYueJivk). From hand bumps with his wife, to appearances in epic comic books, to continuing to go to his local barber (before the move to Washington), Obama is indeed a man of the people, for the people, and by the people.
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