Obama Inauguration from A Writer's View

As a Middle-aged African-American woman, President Obama's Inauguration was truly a dream come true. I felt so full of pride and hope for this strong, articulate, intelligent, man that showed so much leadership, compassion and common sense throughout his adult life and during the never-ending election campaign.

From a writer's perspective, I was even more enthused with the quality, content and delivery of the speeches and prose. The poem Praise Song for The Day was so eloquently delivered by the author Elizabeth Alexander. The words, imagery and powerful descriptions left me sitting on the edge of the chair trying to envision what she saw, what she was saying, and relate it my world and life long experiences.

President Obama's speech was powerful, articulate, clear and to the point. No play on words here. He had a message that he wanted to convey...with no ambiguity...no question as to what he was trying to say...he said it loud and clear for all to hear. Whether you liked the speech or not, you have to admit, it was the speech of a strong leader...in control, not a follower.

Although Obama's speech touched me deeply, the Benediction given by Rev. Joseph E. Lowery put the icing on the cake. He started the speech with the fourth stanza of the Negro National Anthem. I realize that most folks don't know this, but if you were an active part of the Civil Rights movement, or like me, a student of Black History...you knew when he started what he was reciting. It brought chills to my spine and tears to my eyes. Rev. Lowery was there, marching side-by-side with Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. As I watched this fragile, elderly man, and listened to his deep power filled, words of sweat, sacrifice and love, I was mesmerized, humbled and proud all at the same time, to be a witness to such a great moment in history.

Probably one of the more lighter sides of the day, was when Rev. Lowery ended his speech with, " ... we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around ... when yellow will be mellow ... when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right"...

Most people from other races didn't get it...some yelled the speech contained racist remarks, but African-Americans of age remember skipping rope and playing dodge ball to those words and reciting them...because they were the words of our day, our cause and our hope as a people to be treated as equals.....can I get an Amen!