HAIL TO THE CHIEF!

On January 20 of this year millions of people not only in the United States but throughout the world witnessed the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States. It was truly an historic moment when President Obama became the first African American president. Millions of white Americans remember the days when blacks were denied entrance to drinking fountains, restaurants, restrooms, swimming pools, jobs, housing, the ballot box, first-rate hotels, schools and universities. All because of the color of their skin. They were treated as second class citizens because their ancestors were kidnapped and brought to this country in chains.

We also remember the ugliness and brutality of whites towards black citizens who marched peacefully through the streets to gain their civil rights. Who can forget how the police in some cities chased them along with police dogs and hate-filled thugs threatened and intimidated them with hoses and baseball bats and clubs? Not a great picture of white America. But a picture that none of us should ever forget.

Our new president is well prepared for the presidency. He edited the Harvard Law Review and is well grounded in the history of the founding fathers. He has written books of high literary quality. He is an avid and thoughtful reader whose knowledge of the history of previous presidents puts him in a position to emulate their achievements and avoid their mistakes.

I have great hope for this man and for the country. He is calm, gracious, even tempered, open to ideas and respectful of the opinions and ideas of others. I believe he is a president who can truly unite us and do much to bring peace and understanding to a wounded world.

About those “who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans,” said Obama in his inauguration speech, “Their memories are short, for they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.”

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