Last week we heard the first sounds of the days to come. Some greet them with relief, and others are skeptical, wanting to see and hear more before they pass judgment. There may be those who feel they have heard this all before, saying it is nothing new, rather it is the same old thing just nuanced differently. While there are still others for whom it sounds like a brand of hope that is desperately needed in these trying times.
Sure, some feel that a rock star and politician need to be separated like church and state, but that doesn’t appear to be an option. This voice has something to say and people are listening. They are buying up t-shirts, hats, buttons and bumper stickers touting their love of the vision. For better or worse, he’s in power and the youth of America are listening.
But can what is coming ever live up to the hype? Is there any chance of not disappointing many, if not most? Humans are incapable of perfection—we all know that—but for some, the stakes are higher. The critics will line up and jump at the chance to say, “boo!” They already are.
I am of course talking about the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States of America, Barack Obama. While the gaff of Chief Justice Roberts will probably be the most often replayed part of the day for next several weeks, it should not overshadow the enormity of what took place in Washington DC last week. In many respects, what didn’t happen is just as amazing as what did. Millions of people gathered on the mall to be a part of a transfer of power. And while history was being made on the steps of the Capital Building, maybe the most amazing thing was taking place all along the reflecting pool:Civility. No shots were fired. No punches were thrown.
Last week we, as Americans, participated in a great art project: The Art of Transferring Power. Seldom does the world see such a shift take place with such grace. It says volumes about the Bush and Obama administrations as well as the American people as a whole. While the election process does so much to divide our country, in the end, we take the change that it brings quite well, whether we like it or not. Tuesday was a beautiful day to be an American, regardless of your political persuasion.
Check out a some more great pictures of the day here.
If (you live in a cave and) have not heard it yet, here it is...the first sounds of what is to come:
