Like many of you, I woke this morning to images of billowing flags, clear skies and a booming vitality that encompassed the many faces of all those present for this generation's inaugural address. Throughout the election, we have heard the echoes of change and a promise for a new era to be waiting for us and yet, without anything to measure these promises by, they have been nothing more than mere words; but fear not, today we saw those words begin to take action. Regardless of your politics, your affiliations or your predisposition to support or be skeptical of this new presidency, one thing cannot be denied: today, the twentieth of January, two thousand and nine, we witnessed the largest inaugural assembly on the footsteps of this nation's capitol, to date. Change has, and certainly will continue to, come, but let us never forget that this change does not solely rest on the shoulders of our new president, it is also up to us, we are the vehicle that can transform the world around us. The new era has begun to set itself in motion, and we, a nation of immigrants, should gladly welcome it, for it is ripe with possibility."We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace."
Obama, H., Barack
Inaugural Address
Washington, D.C.
21, January, 2009
