In reality, I don't believe it matters what side of the political spectrum you find yourself, in the end, today we witnessed a truly historic event. Today, we inaugurated the four year presidency of the first African American President. And I hope that you too are feeling a little amazed.
It was not that long ago when black Americans were not allowed to enter in the same restaurants as white Americans. They were not allowed to go to the same schools, sit on the same seats of a bus or even drink from the same water fountain.
It was less than 200 years ago when whites owned blacks as slaves. "OWNED THEM." I have read historical accounts where slave owners described their slaves in the same way that they would a rake or a fork. Tools to be used for a purpose. This is absolutely disgusting to me.
I once heard a man say, that the civil war was fought to set men free because all men have VALUE. This sentiment was personified in a tall man from Illinois named Abraham Lincoln. This 16th President, as I am sure you know, signed the Emancipation Proclamation and officially declared that all men were indeed free.
And today, an African American put his hand on the same Bible and swore the same oath of office as President Lincoln did so many years ago. The imagery is powerful. And, in my opinion, entirely appropriate.
In his speech, President Obama spoke about Hope and Change. It will be interesting to see if his political strategies bring the kind of change that everyone is hoping for. But, in the end, today, we have seen the hope of many people throughout many years, come to light in the changing land that we call The United States of America.
May God continue to shed his grace thee!
