My Feelings while Watching the Presidential Inauguration

[DonJea]

While I was watching the Presidential Inauguration, I told myself that I was not going to cry.  I pretty much kept to that until Rev. Rick Warren made the statement about our new President, President Barak H. Obama being the son of African descent.  And I mean African descent.  He is not only African-American; his roots are planted in Africa.   

African slaves and African-American slaves built the White House some 200+ years ago and did not one of them get a chance to live in the White House.  I know they are turning over in their graves and singing with jubilee; echoing prayers that there is now an African and African-American in the White House. 

I cried when Rev. Warren made the statement.  I cried when Rev. Warren recited the Lord's Prayer. 

Prior to today I was not able to say the Pledge of Allegiance; Salute the Flag; or even face the Flag.  With the wording being Liberty and Justice for All; I did not agree with the wording and did not see the Liberty or the Justice for All.  Now, I can honestly, willfully, and with pride stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, face the flag, salute the flag, and recite the pledge of Allegiance with much pride and dignity.  Liberty and Justice have been awarded to all of us. 

When Ms. Aretha Franklin sang the Star Spangled Banner, I cried even harder.  For the first time I really felt the words to that song.  The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.  President Obama is free and is very brave. 

President Obama's Inaugural speech was just a powerful as the speech he made the day when he won the election.  In diligently listening to his speech I felt as though he was speaking directly to me.  A lot of us might have felt the same way; if that is the case, the speech hit home.  Change has come.  A new day is dawning starting this day. 

We as Americans can honestly move forward and accomplish whatever it is that we wish and desire within our hearts to accomplish.  This is truly the day that the Lord has made and we should be glad and rejoice in it. 

Rev. Joseph Lowry's benediction was a reiteration of President Obama's speech.  We have come a long way as a people.

[jsbenkert]

Jan. 20, 2009 at 1:20 PM

I cried.  I was so moved by President Obama's speech.  President Obama.  I like the sound of that!

What a wonderful, wonderful day!