It is the day many dreamed of and some thought would never come: the inauguration
of a black person as president of the United States. Believe it or not, it's here. Barack Hussein Obama is sworn into office as America's 44th President on January 20,
2009. Together we all have become a page in one of history's most important
chapters.
Besides mentioning the
moving rendition of "My Country 'Tis of Thee" by the first
lady of soul, Aretha Franklin, I'll leave analysis of the ceremony
and President Obama's speech to others. Except to say that "My
Country 'Tis of Thee" finally holds FULL meaning for ALL
Americans as the words of that great song ever did before. The call to "let freedom ring" has been resoundly answered. The freedom has rung crisp and clear.
With that said, allow me to briefly
highlight some of the impromptu moments at the
inaugural. It seems like for any planned program, some of the really informative moments come in the form of the unplanned. At Obama's inauguration, there were a few out-of-the-blue moments that dramatize the
historic occasion. By commenting on these figurative images, I seek to point out the meaning of the unscripted.
First, the weather in
Washington, though still cold, warms up to a temperature reading better than expected. Hopefully, the brighter
weather over the capitol signifies Americans' yearning and
expectation of a sun shining day over the nation. May that warmer than expected
temperature forecast the dawn of a new era that hovers over America, as we look forward to the rebound of the nation's and the
world's intertwined economies.
Second, Chief Justice John
Roberts botched the wording of the presidential oath of office as he
swears in Mr. Obama. The president pauses for Mr. Roberts to correct
the wording of the oath, which is supposed to be highest point of the moment. What might the Chief Justice's innocent
mistake symbolize but a reminder of the pattern of the many bungled
efforts of the Bush Administration? The invasion of Iraq, the
pathetic response to Hurricane Katrina, or the botched handling of
the economy, all reminiscent of Justice Roberts' scrambling of the
presidential oath.
The third and most striking symbolism at the inauguration is Vice President
Dick Cheney, who enters the hall riding in a wheelchair. It is reported that the
Vice President hurt his back while working at his new home.
Wheelchair Cheney symbolizes the crippled economy coupled with
America's global reputation and world economy, which, like Cheney, is
currently in a wheelchair.
Cheney's wheelchair also signifies the fatigued outgoing
administration that obviously looks weary from eight
grueling years of little fruits for America, except that "we have not
been attacked since 911". This is in stark contrast to the energetic
Obama team that's riding strong into office, ready for action.
Symbolism over
substance? May be. May be not.
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