I really enjoyed reading everyone's comments on yesterday's post. Although I have to wonder why the less optomistic views weren't shared - I know you are out there - I was glad to read that I wasn't the only one feeling inaugur-elation.
I was also a bit surprised by all the focus on race. Not that I didn't think it was, indeed, a great day for black people but really, half of President Obama comes from just another white person. Wait! Don't get your knickers twisted. What I mean is that we spend all our time preaching how race and religion shouldn't matter when we hire employees - there are laws even- yet in this case so much was made of his race. Can you imagine if your boss paraded a new hire around the company, introducing him as the first Native American manager in the history of the company? Or Amish? Or woman? Awkward only begins to cover it. There's also irrelavant and, oh, illegal.
I guess I didn't grow up in the deep south, and segregation is just a very vague recollection from my early youth but it never occurred to me that we wouldn't one day have a black and/or a woman for president. I thought it was all a matter of when a qualified candidate with those characteristics, would happen to step up. Yes, I realize that there are racist, sexist people out there, but fewer it seems with each new generation.
Anyway, I am much more impressed by the content of the Prez's character than the color of his skin. I wasn't originally a B.O. supporter. Although I loved his name, even I realized that a cool moniker was not a prerequisite to lead our country. I didn't think he had enough experience. Probably he wasn't tough enough. But the more I listened to him, and the more I thought about it, the more I realized that an 'organizer' was probably the perfect choice for the job. I think that President Obama is committed to surrounding himself with experts and even people with opposing views, so that he can harvest the best information available to handle each situation. Maybe I'm over simplifying it, but shouldn't our president be an 'organizer'?
It also doesn't hurt that he is eloquent. Boy howdy, that's been about 8 years coming. I love to listen to our new Prez because I can understand him, and I believe in him and I hope the rest of America does, too, because right now we need someone we can believe in. Someone to take us through the incredible mess we are in. And THAT is why I am hopeful.
23 comments:
I am deeply suspicious of all politicians, but I generally supported Obama for the simple reason that he seemed to be much smarter than the other candidates. Such intelligence seems needed in such a difficult office. Hopefully he will make good decisions but I won't be surprised if he turns his back on all ideals.
You know what else struck me yesterday? He is a gentleman and she is a lady. I love that.
JANE! This is
THE BEST POST EVAH
about the inauguration.
This is an actual, real trophy, only bestowed one other time to date, on Thystle, for the Hamster post.
Please email me with your addy again (I need Obama to help me with my office systems) and I will send you your loving cup, which you cannot refuse, since it comes without a forced Meme and the need to tag others.
I'm reserving judgement- the man has to get into the job & deal with the deeply entrenched bureacracy (& I hardily wish him luck)- but overall, I have a positive vibe despite all the hype.
I too was bothered by all the carrying on about race; yes, I understand that a generation ago, this was an impossible dream, but really- it's time to let it go. I am a product of the South, but I know that years & education have made his bi-racial, illegitamite parentage was an absolute non-issue to me or anyone remotely connected to my life.
He seems to be intelligent, articulate, & earnest about doing what is right, but ultimately, it's all image right now & only time will reveal the true nature of this man- Lord help him.
He IS eloquent, that's for sure. His speech was, by far, the best I have ever personally heard a president make. It brought me to tears several times and that never happens when politicians speak!
I just hope his actions are as eloquent. I did/do support him... and I don't believe inexperience precludes someone from getting the job done. I've hired enough inexperienced people who did amazing work to know that's true. But he just has so much working against him. I will be really happy if he can just do SOMETHING to bridge the divide; to bring the discordant halves of our political structure and our nation together so that some work can actually get done and some problems truly solved. As I keep saying, fingers are crossed. And I AM hopeful.
I love to listen to Obama talk. He speaks eloquently and intelligently and seems to mean what he is saying. I think what strikes me the most about him is that he cares. it isn' just a job to him he really truly cares.
This IS the best post inaug. post I have read! You said everything perfectly and I couldn't agree with your thoughts more. Sometimes when I read people's thoughts on politics; the elections etc it comes off so snobby or soap boxish. Not this! I loved it! THANKS!
I was surprised that everyone was so surprised that we elected a Black person (partial or otherwise). I think globally, and there have been so many Black leaders, that it's no big deal to me.
i haven't been able to make up my mind whether his race was overplayed or necessary. i think it was overplayed when i think back to my generation (born in 1981) and think just how little race had to do with my growing up, we weren't segregated, it was nothing like my mom's childhood just 30 years before me. but then my mind changes when i pull up to a 7-Eleven with my white husband and the rednecks in the truck beside us decide they should roll their eyes at us, point and tell us "to stick with our own kind." (a Sunday event -- in 2009)this doesn't happen daily, but it happens enough for me to know pointing out that barack is the first black president is important.
Very thoughtful. I think Obama was elected due to his intelligence, manner and vision. If Hillary were elected, they would be saying that she was the "first women" president. It's that it's a "first" is what is being meant not necessarily that he's an African-American.
My humble opinion only.
I hope the new president does promote change. Michigan unemployment just reached 10%. That is alot of people without jobs. My father said that anytime someone is unemployed - that is a depression. I think Dad was right.
I just have to wait and see. He has promised so much...I just have to wait.
I posted this on Nadine's blog, and this is honestly how I feel right now..
We have a new president. I understand that. When the election was happening, it wasn't supposed to be about race, but about ability to lead the nation. Now he is President and it is all about his race. Race this, race that? Is this a version of reverse guilt that we are supposed to feel because we, well, me, since I can only speak for myself, am white? He won the election, became President, got inaugurated, had his parties, now lets get down to the work of America. Not more Partisan politics. Now that would be a dream come true. I hope he lives up to all the promises he made and doesn't further bankrupt America. Time will tell. I guess I am just burned out. Time to show me what you can really do.
I am Canadian, but we have also been inundated with Obama lately. I like him, but don't know all that much about him, just that he's probably better than Bush was.
As for race, I fail to see what that has to do with anything, and that is the problem I've had with all of it.
Focus on what's important, everyone!
So far I like what he has said and done - freezing salaries and curtailing lobbists' activites. I'm more than willing to give him a chance to get our country back on track. And I agree with you - you can understand what he says and you don't feel like he's talking in circle.
And thanks for the reassurances about my grandson's operation. I'm a worrier by nature.
Peace
Pardon my lateness with "how I feel," but it took me awhile to put the words together. I am excited and optimistic about the future under President Obama. I have to confess I didn't realize how disenfranchized most Black people felt until I saw their immense emotional reaction after he was elected. I'm optimistic now that many Black people will be, maybe for the first time, more interactive and helpful in doing what we citizens can do to help the president straighten out the incredible problems he has inherited with the presidency. I didn't vote for Obama, but after watching before and after his election, I think he will be able to be more effective with the support of a huge part of the population that didn't participate much before. I doubt that would have been true had John McCain been elected. And his likeability can only aid in his dealings in foreign affairs. I pray for his success and safety.
Jane,
You gave voice to what I've been thinking. . . no, there are very few places where you would parade someone around as the "first" of any race. Nevertheless, President Obama is multifaceted individual. He is black. . . and white. . . a Harvard-educated minority. . . and a Christian with a Muslim-sounding name. . .
I was never a Barack supporter, but I'm starting to feel more and more that perhaps he is the right man to lead this country right now. His life has aspects that almost everyone can identify with and so hopefully he can empower us all to be better Americans.
With all the love flowing, its hard to be negative.
I am still unsure of what will happen in the future and praying that everything goes smoothly.
It has nothing to do with race or Obama, really. Just have some dread in the pit of my stomach that I just can't shake.
Your blog is always interesting!
I'll I ever really ask in a Prez is that he is AT LEAST as smart as me. FINALLY, we have one, and the fact that he is brilliant and can run academic circles around my ass, well, I'm sleeping better at night.
I also join in the joint optimism. And if we are all feelin' optimistic and good, GREATNESS is coming!
I like listening to him talk because he doesn't sound like he's trying to defend a poor choice by speaking to us condescendingly,as if we are 5 years old, or stupid - God I hated that. B.O. talks to us as if he and we are NORMAL!
I am reserving judgement. I don't think either of the candidates were/are worthy of the position. Maybe no one is. However, I believe there had to be a better candidate out there.
It is my humble opinion that the glory days of this great country of ours are over. We will never again be as we were before the 60's which I believe started the collapse of our culture.
I love this country. Truly. Here's hoping for the best whilst anticipating a fall from grace for this country.
You wanted the truth, eh? hugs.
Well, I gotta tell ya. In my little corner of the world (and I admit I should probably get out more but it would require not sleeping in my own bed or pooping in my own bathroom), "conservative" usually includes "racist" in its behavioral characteristics. It's not talked about, and usually folks pretend it ain't so, but it's there. And that's why, when I see red states and blue states and where most are located, I feel race most definitely plays a role in everything but especially in politics.
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