The Presidential Inauguration Takes Us On A History Walk
President Obama-l; FLOTUS-m; Malia and Sasha Obama-r
January 21, 2013, the theme for the 57th Presidential inauguration was, "Faith in America's Future."
However, the theme I received through the President's inaugural speech was, "For The People and by The People."
When Senator Charles Schumer announced the inaugural theme, he also gave a brief history lesson of the nation's Capitol -- while bringing awareness to a forgotten races' efforts that contributed too building America from the bottom up.
Oppression was definitely the "Big Elephant" in the room as NAACP former chairwoman Myrlie Evers-Williams (seen above-r kissing her deceased husband) Civil Rights activist Medgar Evers, who was murdered in front of his family by a white supremacist; took to the stage and delivered the inaugural invocation in which she proclaimed,
Oppression was definitely the "Big Elephant" in the room as NAACP former chairwoman Myrlie Evers-Williams (seen above-r kissing her deceased husband) Civil Rights activist Medgar Evers, who was murdered in front of his family by a white supremacist; took to the stage and delivered the inaugural invocation in which she proclaimed,
"One hundred and fifty years after the Emancipation Proclamation was written, and fifty years after the march on Washington, we celebrate the spirits of our ancestors which has allowed us to move from a nation of unborn hopes and a history of disenfranchised votes, to today's expression of a more perfect union.
We ask too, almighty, that where our paths seem blanketed by thorns of oppression, and riddled by pangs of despair, we ask for your guidance towards the light of deliverance and that the vision of those who came before us and dreamed of this day, that we recognize that their visions still inspire us.
They are a great cloud of witnesses unseen by the naked eye, but all around us, thankful that their living was not in vain."
We ask too, almighty, that where our paths seem blanketed by thorns of oppression, and riddled by pangs of despair, we ask for your guidance towards the light of deliverance and that the vision of those who came before us and dreamed of this day, that we recognize that their visions still inspire us.
They are a great cloud of witnesses unseen by the naked eye, but all around us, thankful that their living was not in vain."
Mrs. Evers-Williams, told the President to be "courageous" and "cautious" in his journey.
The 280 voice choir belted out a striking rendition of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, a song written in the 1860's and which speaks of "the judgement of the wicked at the end of time", with respect to the American Civil War.
The song was so beautifully sang that my eyes filled with tears as the choir released the words, "His truth is marching on! God's truth is marching on!"
The emotion of the moment was so intense that President Obama, also wiped a tear from his eye with his right hand.
Republican Senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, gave what I thought to be a peculiar shout-out to Alex Haley, a Pulitzer Prize winner and author of the extraordinary slave novel, Roots. But later it was learned that Mr. Alexander and Mr. Haley, in fact use to be close friends.
When Senator Alexander spoke his peace on the National Mall, certain words which stood out to me were "find the good and praise it", and "peaceful transfer of power", almost as if he were calling on his fellow republicans to call a truce.
Senator Alexander was the only republican to speak at President Obama's inauguration.
When Senator Alexander spoke his peace on the National Mall, certain words which stood out to me were "find the good and praise it", and "peaceful transfer of power", almost as if he were calling on his fellow republicans to call a truce.
Senator Alexander was the only republican to speak at President Obama's inauguration.
The President's speech gave all that had come to listen a stroll down memory lane if you will, connecting the dots from over 200 centuries ago with The Declaration of Independence up until this present moment; it was incredible.
It was like he knew it was imperative to fill in the gaps of history for those that were uninformed and misinformed, so that everyone would be on the same page moving forward.
The speech would also serve as a reminder to republicans and especially the Tea Party (which has recently undergone a name change and is now called National Liberty Federation), that "we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights," that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."
It was like he knew it was imperative to fill in the gaps of history for those that were uninformed and misinformed, so that everyone would be on the same page moving forward.
The speech would also serve as a reminder to republicans and especially the Tea Party (which has recently undergone a name change and is now called National Liberty Federation), that "we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights," that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."
These very words were repeatedly spoken by President Obama, as if the truth had to be driven home and set free.
The President also added to his argument,
"that today we continue the never-ending journey to bridge the meaning of those words, with the realities of our time. For history tells us, that while these truths maybe self-evident, they've never been self-executing."
The President also added to his argument,
"that today we continue the never-ending journey to bridge the meaning of those words, with the realities of our time. For history tells us, that while these truths maybe self-evident, they've never been self-executing."
Speaking the words of America's strife Obama stressed tolerance, opportunity, human dignity, and justice, as he paid homage to Seneca Falls, Selma, and Stonewall, pointing out different groups of people still in pursuit of their God given rights.
He also spoke of America's progress despite the hardships faced, and progress is what the POTUS is asking us all for. To stay engaged in the political spectrum by lending our voices to be a guide for the future.
He also spoke of America's progress despite the hardships faced, and progress is what the POTUS is asking us all for. To stay engaged in the political spectrum by lending our voices to be a guide for the future.
If average Americans can control how legislation is delivered within Washington, the negative history of Congress may actually stand a chance of never repeating itself.
2013 LA
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