Watching the Inauguration on television this morning, I went from one emotional extreme to another during the event. For the first time in eight years, I felt like I no longer had to live in fear of my government. That I can speak my mind without worrying that I would lose additional civil liberties or be labeled a terrorist for my staunch opposition of Bush and Cheney’s politics.
I listened to the broadcasters on NBC elaborate on Americans in all their myriad dwellings. Latinos were lumped into barrios and black were ushered into ghettos. The broadcasters were stumped for a description of Asian communities. One word would have been far better and more powerful: home. Despite the historical precedent of today, white privilege remains omnipotent in our mainstream media. And despite the historical precedent of today, America and the world were deemed not ready to hear the name Barack Hussein Obama. Just an H. But hey, small victories, right?
I share the ecstatic disbelief of my friends that a black man was elected President of the United States. And, yes, if Reverend Dr Martin Luther King Jr were alive today, he would be proud of what American has finally achieved for its citizens. As a gay man, I’m still waiting for my 1,049+ federal rights. I don’t know how many of them I will receive in the next 4 years, but I remain hopeful that President Obama will make good on his word.
I already stated that I voted for Nader in 2008, and if anyone wants to discuss my choices for doing so they are certainly welcome to send me an e-mail, but I am eternally thankful that Obama is in the 44th President of the United States and not John McCain.
I also hope Reverend Dr Jeremiah A. Wright Jr stays true to his word.