a moment in history

I have never been an avid reader of political news.
Seriously, I was not even concerned when Obama was elected President last year.
Sure he won THE most powerful seat in the world and he is an African American, but when my pea brain can barely comprehend the happenings of my daily life (especially at work), I will gladly let the rest of the world decide and debate on whether he is the right person to save the world from the dumps.

I was reading the papers on my way home from work on the day of Obama's Inauguration and came upon his speech - which I actually found interesting (ok call me a nerd). And I am now watching his Inauguration on Youtube, completely bizarre for a Youtube-luddite like me.

Excerpts which caught my attention:

"That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our healthcare is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet."

"The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified."

"To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."

"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."

"This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed - why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath."

And the grand finale that is oozing with hope and optimism...

"Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations. Thank you. God bless you. And God bless the United States of America."

Before I youtubed his speech and seeing how well Obama delivered the speech, I was actually in awe of his speechwriter's capabilities to write such a moving speech (of course I know Mr. President wouldn't have to write his own speech!)... coz I have always been enamored of people who can write well...

So the Mastermind is him - Jon Favreau (Chief Speechwriter)


*Picture courtesy of Guardian

I must say I was flabbergasted that this 27 year old chap is the person behind the speech. I was imagining a 60 year old, silver-haired, english-professor-type of person. Oh well, do away with stereotypes, Jasmine!

Racial discrimination has always been a topic I am quite interested in coz I was so disgusted to know that people actually thought it was legitimate to judge the superiority of one over the other based on skin color??!! I mean, why was there ever a theory that humans are different from animals coz humans can think?

Not having to grow up struggling with these "color issues", I cannot really imagine the significance of Obama's triumph at the election. But after the Americans have made the choice of choosing an African American as their leader and seeing how the massive crowd rallied for him during his speech, I guess they are now ready to embrace change and to see abilities over skin color.

Below is an excerpt from one of his past campaign speeches I found worth a read...

"I am the son of a black man from Kenya and a white woman from Kansas. I was raised with the help of a white grandfather who survived a Depression to serve in Patton's Army during World War II and a white grandmother who worked on a bomber assembly line at Fort Leavenworth while he was overseas.

I've gone to some of the best schools in America and lived in one of the world's poorest nations. I am married to a black American who carries within her the blood of slaves and slaveowners -- an inheritance we pass on to our two precious daughters.

I have brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, uncles and cousins, of every race and every hue, scattered across three continents, and for as long as I live, I will never forget that in no other country on Earth is my story even possible"

The world is counting on him to deliver on his grand ideals.
And I would say he had a good start.

I wish Mr. President all the best.