Get Lifted: What the Inauguration means to me...

In the months leading up to the election of Barack Obama, my aunt constantly reminded me of something I told her when I was young child. Though I do not remember, my aunt always reminds me that it I always told her that there would come a day when there would be an African American president. She was amazed with my optimism, and though she, having lived through the modern Civil Rights era, lost hope after years of progress (and what now seemed to be stagnation) in the African American political struggle, was inspired by the words of an innocent child. Now that I have experienced my own disenchantment and moments of nihilism as a student and activist, this election has ignited a passion and inspiration within me to achieve and to join the multi-textured fabric of our American iconography in securing a more perfect union for our future. As I reflect on that historic November night, where, though I was full of emotion, my amazement at the realization of what occurred would not allow me to cry, I realize that the inauguration of Barack Obama is symbolic of three things: the igniting of a spirit of excellence amongst America’s youth, a confirmation and projection of a prophecy spoken by those who labored (and still labor) for the rights of all citizens, and lastly, the symbolic commencement exercises of an America rising to be her better self.

The incredible race President Barack Obama ran was remarkable. Not only did he opt not to follow the traditional rules of a campaign, choosing instead for the higher road of politics. Instead of responding in the same tone and candor of his opponents and critics, he chose to appeal to the greater sense of humanity and character that is oftentimes absent in many of today’s dialogues and debates. The splendid execution of his campaign inspired a spirit of excellence amongst students, as well as those in various careers, to put their best foot forward in their work. For me personally, President Obama’s campaign, his persistence, and his overall brilliance inspired me to raise the bar in my own personal achievement expectations and was a major factor in me earning a 4.0 grad point average during my first semester of graduate school. However, those who have been influenced by President Obama’s spirit of excellence extend well beyond just young African American males in school, but towards community organizations, churches, families, and young students who once thought they were incapable of achieving anything. For once, many of America's young people who have faced debilitating, and sometimes insurmountable, circumstances in life have the confidence to be the best persons they can be and now dream dreams of achievement and success in their future.

The inauguration of our 44th President, Barack Hussein Obama, not only signifies a tremendous milestone in American history; it is also symbolic of a moment in time where African Americans can exhale after years of struggle and progress. Whether I am in the presence of such a historic event in our nation’s capital, or watch it at home with family and friends, I will keep in mind that I am a vessel who has inherited the promise fought so passionately for by African Americans. Especially those like my late grandfather, who did not have the privilege of voting at the age of twenty-one having grown up in an era where the rights of all citizens were subdued. Though this is both an awe-inspiring and humbling epiphany, I recognize that this inauguration means even more than that. In many ways it is prophetic. This historic election is both the fruition of the hopes of those who labored for this day with expectancy, but died before the realization of their dreams, and it speaks volumes as to what our nation has become and will continue to become in the future.

Such a momentous occasion is much more than just the inauguration of our newly elected President; it is also a commencement for Americans where we have graduated from our not so distant realities of oppression to a more illustrious future with a promise to all. This election has brought together individuals, irrespective of background, occupation, gender, race, creed, or even musical genre preference, who may have otherwise remained isolated from each other, comforted by their personal I-pods and cell phones, communicating only with who they chose to. This inauguration not only speaks to my very proud African American heritage, but it also invokes a spirit of transcendence amongst Americans that we can indeed work together towards achieving a better future for our countries, our selves, and our offspring. That we can unite under the common resolve of making our imperfect union more perfect for those who will inherit our place in the country.

A message of hope can become cliche, especially when the areas surrounding one’s situation are less than hopeful. I recall on my recent trip to South Africa in March of 2008 where we visited an HIV Clinic in the township of Khayelitsha, where a patient thanked us for spending time with him and talking with him. He told us, “things like this give us hope.” We as Americans have faced some difficult times dealing with our children, brothers and sisters abroad at war, and a turbulent economy where messages of hope have comforted us and given us the strength to go another day. Moreover, almost every American, whether in the inner city or rural area -in Hollywood or on Wall Street, has felt a sense of helplessness in the recent years in some shape or form. This new message of hope gave us the courage to face our adversity, and ignoring our present circumstances with the expectancy of something greater in the future through hard work and perseverance. Hope unites us while we are yet divided. The election of Barack Obama as our 44th president is proof and testament that our common humanity unites us more than our differences divide us. That we can celebrate our differences, but come together in furthering the dreams our American ancestors, and unite as the purveyors of a new horizon where anything is possible for anyone. An America, where we are all immigrants, but also an America where we are one by our shared values and investment into a better country for a better future....for a new race has truly just begun.