“It’s been a long, long time coming/ But I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will” — Sam Cooke, 1964
Today I cried. I cried because it’s a great day in America and a great day in the world. I cried because a man that looks like me has risen to power in a country that has been burdened by racial intolerance and prejudice. I cried because my father was not here to witness this day. I cried today because in Barack Obama, the 44th President of America, we have a leader, someone who cares and is a real man who is making a difference.
Let me be clear. These are tears of joy, hope and endless possibilities. During the Presidential Inauguration, from Aretha Franklin’s soulful and gospel tinged rendition of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” to Elizabeth Alexander’s thoughtful poem “Praise Song for the Day” to Rev. Joseph E. Lowery’s reflective (and sometimes humorous) benediction reciting the words to “The Negro National Anthem”, it is clear that it is indeed a new day.
President Obama’s 22-minute address (watch the video below) was about hope, progress and, of course, change. What is remarkable about Obama is that he didn’t rest on his laurels or give a rah-rah speech about America the beautiful. Instead, Obama gave real talk about the challenges of the nation’s economy, education, health care, energy and war. In a bold and confident oration, Obama spoke about working hard, moving forward and taking responsibility for our actions. Most importantly, he talked about humanity, a global community and the future. “The world has changed,” Obama said, “And we must change with it.”
Now it is time to get to work. Obama is giving us the leadership, support and encouragement to make it through the difficult times but also to have faith in the future. He spoke of his mission (and now ours as well) of “the work of remaking America.” Yes, we can and Obama is proving that fact. So we move forward in this new America, on this new day and dry our tears. Like he quoted from the Bible scriptures, “the time has come.”
