Blown away

“To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.”
- Barack Obama

I’ve just watched Obama’s inaugural speech and I’m blown away.  I know that he might disappoint as a President and you can always argue that when you set the bar so high, failure is always inevitably but I thought the speech was spot on. There was a lot to love in the speech – contemporary take on “traditional” American values, to rise above ‘stale political arguments’ (which I took to mean squabbles between Republican and Democrats, efforts to overturn Roe Verus Wade, Climate change deniers etc but I’m not sure that is exactly what he meant), love that science is going to be restored to its rightful place (hurrah! Take that creationists...), shout out to non-believers but most of all I loved the messages about responsibility – that Governments have to be peaceful, just and be able to show humility and restraint.

So refreshing to hear a politician be ambitious but most of all empowering to people. I thought Obama’s speech drew out how amazing people are and the positive that is present in society.

“It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.”

Although everyone around highlights bleak, awful things and all that is wrong with the world – there is also a lot of kindness and that together society can overcome bitterness and hatred.
For me the words: “willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves” really echoed for me, obviously not at a religious level and I don’t think Obama meant it like that. But about society, I really believe that things can change but I think it takes vision and courage. I’m very excited that Obama seems to have both. I believe powerfully that individual actions do matter and that we are “keepers of the legacy”.

“Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions - who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage".

 I’m reminded of one of my favourite Margareat Mead quotes that I used to have pinned to my wall at university: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Yes, we can.

Comments

[Felix]

It was an excellent speech; I really liked the tempered way in which he expressed National Pride, and the empowering way that he instilled hope with his words.

By discussing the legacy of the US in tandem with the need for dignity and peace his words were a far cry from the insane, undignified violence that the Bush presidency embodied.

I am excited about what will come of his time in the White House.

[jane]

It really was a brilliant speech! Amazing too the way it's been utterly, utterly dissected in all the papers today already. It was such a monumental day though. I really rather wish I'd been there, it'd be wonderful to have witnessed such a historic event in person. I'm excited to witness all that might happen next too though.

I love that Margaret Mead quote, too - thanks for sharing it!

[Mariss]

I was so proud and so excited as well. Yes we CAN!

[Philippa]

Reading this reminds me again of how I felt watching his speech. Everything I hear at the moment reminds me of the bleakness of things - good, thoughtful, highly-qualified hard-working friends being made redundant this week, the BBC refusing to broadcast the aid to Gaza appeal, a young man dressed as a clown knifing children in a Belgian nursery - so it was good to read this today and be reminded of all the hope there is too. I'd never heard that Margaret Mead quote; I think I might just put it on my wall :)