I am old enough to remember the struggle for Civil Rights in this country, a struggle that is not yet over or completed satisfactorily. Whatever one's political affiliation may be, even if you don't have any, my hope is that the significance of this day is understood. In my lifetime, days of unity and hope in our country have been rare. I find it inspiring, and hope that it will be sustained.
Macreena Doyle
It means YES WE CAN!!!!! This is a time of celebration that shall never be forgotten. A time when we all can come together and witness the possible and dreams come true. I am honored to have had this chance to witness this historical Memorial mark in America's history. God Bless America!!!
I am hopeful for this inauguration and what is to come after because this moment just continues to create the path of ability and possibility that so many of our ancestors have started for our people.
What advice might you give our new president? This is a funny question because I honestly believe that Obama has it all under control and the right ideas of what this country needs. If there was any advice I would ask him to rethink about his idea of civil unions and allow marriage for all who are in love.
Shauntay J. Brandon '11
I was truly awed and inspired by President Obama's speech, he touched on everything critical to improving all of our lives on this planet. Inspiring us to be one, living and working together we can and will overcome the challenges ahead.
Ted Coviello
You can't overstate the significance of this event. We are a different nation and a different world as of this moment.
Sarah Brown
I am proud, humbled, awed, and grateful to witness this day. Let's make this dream come true and the day will live forever.
Lisa Cania
I was very touched by the fact, that for the first time in our history, black America can feel inclusion in the Political process of our great country. It seems like just yesterday, on my first trip to Washington in the 1940's I observed a black Army officer standing outside of a segregated rest room and I could not comprehend how that could be. We have made great progress and today is memorable for it's meaning to our country and it's future.
Craig Ruhm
It doesn't mean that much to me to be honest. We are going from one big government interventionist president to another, they just hide it under different rhetoric. Until America elects a true small government politician who believes in individual rights and pure free market we will continue to see the same poor results.
Colin French
Today's transition to new leadership and the President's speech were simply INSPIRING. I am truly proud to be an American.
Jason L. Smith '99
Barack Obama's inauguration fills me with gratitude, relief, and good courage. I'm thrilled to witness the inauguration of our first African-American President, but more than that, I'm grateful to see the office taken up by a man I so deeply trust, and I'm surprised and overjoyed to find that he enjoys such broad popular support. Obama's inauguration signals to me a shift away from Bush-era cowboy-flavored style-over-substance authoritarianism. Obama's entire campaign was characterized by careful thinking, careful speaking, and constant communication with the electorate via his unprecedented grassroots Internet organization. Today we inaugurate an intellectual President, a President who listens to the people's values and concerns. I hope that Barack Obama will lead the United States to use its tremendous wealth, power, and privilege more responsibly than it ever has before. I hope that Barack Obama will inspire in us a new and grand commitment to social justice, both at home and abroad. I hope that Barack Obama will preside over an era of investment in and wise stewardship of resources for the future. I hope that during Barack Obama's tenure in office, my fellow citizens and I will enjoy renewed optimism for and commitment to improving our local communities. President Obama has already shown himself to be a man of vision and a consensus-builder. If I could give him advice, I would advise him not to let the latter quality overpower the former. In order to fulfill its democratic and egalitarian promise, the United States will have to overcome long histories of oppression, complacency, and solipsism. I hope Barack Obama will lead us farther in that task than has ever before seemed possible.
Theo Hummer
To me, the inauguration represents a shift inside our country. Obama's riveting speech conveyed the spirit and hope of a country that is ready to move ahead and change for the better. But at the same time, this inauguration was a celebration of freedom and equality, with Obama being the first African American president, and is a testament to our country's past values and struggle.
I am hopeful that Obama will get our economy moving again (so that I will enter a better market when I graduate.) I believe that Obama will be able to balance his Democratic party's plans and his past teaching at the University of Chicago (a very conservative law school) to help our economy and the current credit crisis.
I would tell Obama that he needs to make connections with different counties and focus on foreign policy as much as he can. He needs to make the world see America in a better way than it has in the past. Also, Obama needs to more intelligently spend our budget, and use as much money as he can to fund alternate energy sources, so that we are completely independent.
Jack Knych '12
As I'm returning from my first three-hour Literary Journalism class, I feel more than mentally fatigued and pumped simultaneously. The sheer degree and scope of material, while loaded with constant assignments and a busied syllabus, left me excited in terms of the sheer possibilities of stories, people, and places to share, this semester and beyond. In the same vein, I feel that America's undergoing a similar mental wordlview and shift: being mentally fatigued and pumped.
Barack Obama's Inauguration today, from the NPR and CNN coverage I've listened and watched, invokes a further reminder of a "long, steep climb," and a speech "trading soaring oratory for tough talk." Amidst the grittiness of his message, there also came a beauteousness of future opportunity for this country. At the risk of cliche from Democratic and Republicans alike, hope and change at long last dawning on a new morning for America. A song I just listened to online seems to sum all these feelings up even better, Rachel Griffin's "Struggle Leads to Grace," written for Barack Obama and America's future. One listen to this, and one realizes individually and collectively, it is quite possible, grateful, even necessary to be mentally fatigued and pumped all the same.
Matt Young
Barack Obama represents the end of the manipulative, deceitful, hypocritical, and capricious Bush Administration. In these four -or eight- years of the Obama Administration, I hope to see a egalatarian nation founded on the belief that "a nation cannot prosper along when it only favors the prosperous." Furthermore, I invision a return to the social awareness of the 60s, where people will challenge that which is immoral and incompetent, and will work to create a better world for themselves and a myriad of future generations. Let this day be a reminder that "We Can Do It!"
Eddie Molina '07
I am just glad to see so many people engaged in the political process. It is quite something for millions of people to line the streets and cheer on the President as if he were some sort of rockstar. I can only hope that he can live up to the hype. 2008 Detroit Tigers or the Miracle Mets of 69? Which one will he be?
Rolando Pintos '07
I found the inauguration very moving. The diverse collection of people at the inauguration event and their mood/tone was very uplifting. I especially loved the observations of the 105 yrs old black woman from Cleveland. She was so wise.
I was very impressed with Obama's speech. He was serious but ready to tackle the problems we face. He emphasized what we, government and citizens, need to do differently as well as the strengths of this country. I am especially glad that he recognized that we can protect liberty and what our country stands for while fighting terrorism, a break with some dangerous policies and fear motivating approach of the Bush administration. I am also glad he emphasized the importance of dealing with environmental issues and that he valued science.
The music and poetry performances were very moving and inclusive.
I appreciate the historic nature of the event and how he and others commented that this country has come a long way from the day his father couldn't be served at many restaurants to the day when an african american became president of the USA. I also liked how he embraced the variety of people present in terms of race, faith... Yet,the meaningfulness of his election reaches far beyond race. He seems to be trying to change the way we do politics, trying to reunite the US (forget red and blue states).
I am proud of the views of this president and expect his foreign policy will allow americans to once again be proud of their country.
Marilyn Mayer
It was America at its finest moment. Once again, I nearly burst with the pride I feel for my country. It was a demonstration to the world of who we are, of what we are capable, and to what extent "we shall [always] overcome." Promises have been made. As citizens we have the personal responsibility to see that they are kept.
Maureen Baker
Obama's administration brings our focus to the future and to power that we have as Americans to govern ourselves. Obama is our leader and reminds us that it will take us all effect change. I was in DC on Jan 20 and the mood was incredible! 2 million people completely in awe... what a wonderful time in our country's history; I will never forget.
Joshua Nelson
I think it is great for an African American to achieve the goal of president of the United States of America.I wish him and his family the best.The inauguration of President Barack Obama to me says that change has come. I hope the American people except it and move forward on recovering our economy and international relationships.I hope for all,he is successsful. My advise to the President would be, be patient and try not to do to much at once. Good luck Mr.President and God Bless America.
Billy Davison
I was there as saw history in the making. It was a phenomenal experience to be there amongst the millions and hear the euphoric voices of the old and young generations legitimizing the call for hope. I believe that Obama's inauguration marks a new era in the world politics, especially concerning the U.S. foreign policy and reputation. On the other hand, Obama's successful journey is one to be remembered by this young generation as for more involvement in politics and activism.
Jose Domingos
It is long overdue for the doors of national and global leadership to have a face and presence that is unequivocally and uniquely American. I can remember my mother telling me about segregated facilities as she would travel to the Deep South to stay with my great-grandfather and my great-great grandmother and additional relatives over the summer. The memories of seeing sharecroppers living day to day in feudal peonage as well as the brave step of my African-American grandmother to marry a European in the 1950s, a time where both of their lives, as were countless others were at stake at the hands of unjust laws and ignorant people who did not want to understand that people are attracted to others regardless of background.
President Obama's leadership represents the strength and genius of global awareness and cultural consciousness. He and his family clearly recognize who they are-in spite of naysayers who are more apt to pigeonhole them into what it means to be Black or Multicultural in America. Although President Obama did not enter the White House with either a silver spoon or a cowboy boot in his mouth, he proves that with given certain opportunities, one can rise above the limitations that others may impose.
After 8 years of political smog and hurricane force winds to the past, it's a nice change to have some unquestionably fresh air to breathe in our nation. It is equally refreshing to hear Obama assert that all Americans are to be made accountable to all communities, which is a more humane change of pace than the "divide and conquer" mentality that has persisted throughout much of American history.
I have begun to have faith in the US and its people as a direct result of Obama's election and subsequent inauguration. I know that my outlook on life in the US is a bit better and my confidence in my fellow neighbor might just a bit stronger, but Obama's presence and presidency will have far-reaching results--one day at a time!
Peace and blessings to the Obama family.
E-Ben Grisby
As I watched the inauguration ceremony I couldn't help but smile. I was so pleased for him and so proud that (most) Americans helped move the country - and perhaps the world - into a new era. Later that day, as I talked with my high school daughter (who had watched and cheered at school) I was gratified to know that she appreciated the significance of the moment and would now grow up with different norms. It was also refreshing to hear his words. I hope I will finally know a politician that speaks honestly and who will do the right things. What an opportunity this will be!
Brad Baldwin
