This is my column for the Spectrum today:
During September last year a friend and I talked about attending the presidential inauguration. Confident in my candidate’s prospects I made plans and airline reservations. Throughout the remaining campaign my optimism never wavered except, my wife reminds me, on the night of the first presidential debate.
Cherie and I arrived in Washington D.C. on Friday to have time to visit museums and memorials. We represent bronze artist Edward Hlavka in Gallery 873 in the Kayenta Coyote Gulch Art Village so we made it a point to visit his sculpture, Allies in War, Partners in Peace, in the Smithsonian American Indian Museum.
From there we went to the National Portrait Gallery and viewed portraits and sculptures of presidents and civil rights leaders. The galleries and memorials of Martin Luther King, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, World War II, the Korean War, and others provided a wonderful historical background for the anticipated Monday inauguration rituals and ceremonies.
Walking by the Ellipse in front of the White House reminded me of the first time I had seen the AIDS Quilt on display more than twenty years ago. Memories of my walking among the Quilt panels flooded my mind along with the realization of how uninformed I was about the disease at the time. Little did I know that the disease would claim the life of my daughter along with many others I came to know over the years.
We arrived on the Washington Mall on Monday, Inauguration Day, with about 800,000 other enthusiastic folks to celebrate the elegance of this historic event. Barack Obama is the first president since Ronald Reagan to be elected twice with popular vote majorities. Although we were far distant from the Capitol Building, large video displays placed strategically along the Mall provided crisp images accompanied by high quality audio clearly conveying the substance of the ceremony. The fact that the inauguration ceremony occurred on Martin Luther King Day intensified the excitement and enthusiasm of the crowd.
The inaugural address touched upon many historic themes and provided specific policy priorities for the next four years. By linking “Seneca Falls and Selma and Stonewall” the president emphasized the importance of the three great human rights fights that continue today. Clearly progress in my lifetime is evident, but so also is the work remaining as we move toward a “more perfect Union.”
Obama recognizes that “enduring security and lasting peace do not require perpetual war.” We can use our values, intelligence, and courage to seek peaceful resolution of differences with other nations in the 21st century. He mentioned many other issues we have been debating endlessly, issues on which we can move toward resolution if we engage in meaningful mutually respectful debate.
Following the pageantry and ritual on the Mall we had seats for the inaugural parade and captured photos of the bands, other participants, and the Obama and Biden families enjoying the applause while walking down the street waving to the crowds. It was just plain fun.
What a country.
The writings that George Stoddard offers here give us reason to reflect on our capacity as a people to address human needs and political circumstances with civil discourse, respect, and a shared yearning for the commin good. George reminds us of how much real good we are capable of when we pull together. Thank you for your thoughtful writings, George.
Posted by: Penelope Eicher | February 24, 2013 at 10:32 AM