I just wrote a rather pointless post about the weather... and realized that while I've been talking w some of you about last night (yesterday's) inauguration ceremony, I haven't commented on here.
I thought I would cry, but I managed to keep my cool. I will say that I have never felt more American - claimed that identity, been proud of it for all that it might symbolize now and in the future (so different from what it's meant to me, since being 18 years old when W. was first elected).
As I mentioned to Andrew in an email today, I felt that Obama's oath was something that I was a part of - that I experienced with him. I guess it was a prayer that I made for him and this new beginning for our country, but more than that, it was also a personal commitment - something that was somehow active and participatory for me.
Here in Mongolia, watching from my TV in the middle of the night... feeling ownership and belonging in that moment... so physically far away from all of you, yet covered in a feeling of being more connected, bound to a place, a people, a country than I ever thought possible. Feeling pride in nation for what it is today (not some lost time of the past).
Everyone has their comments. (I was thinking about the political commentary as ironically emulating the stock market's swelling, bubble - again, that human psychology of mass opinions - one opinion stated, followed by a hoard of the same opinion behind it). And, of course, much of the commentary I agree with.
But from a personal level, I think Obama's success will ultimately come from the feeling that came to me last night, echoed in millions of other Americans (who somehow do belong to each other in a massive, diverse, swarming family). That pull to action, inspiration to contribute - that feeling that came within me is how we're going to reclaim our country, heal, become united.
I talked with Zula about it tonight, and she was happy for me and tried to understand. I talked with Ena about it every day this week, and she nodded; said she too was happy for me and the American people... We read MLK's I Have a Dream speech in my class on Monday, and during all these exchanges, I understood that it was impossible to explain the two feelings that so many of us have:
a disbelief that W. is gone (and a hope to never hear his voice again, a hope to wipe him from consciousness)
and
a thankfulness that we are where we are. And that I can use the word "we".
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We set aside time for the entire Spring Institute and our 28-person WorkStyles #247 class, filling our training room with about 48 people to watch the swearing in and speeches. Standing up in the very back on top of a table to get the only view possible, I was reminded that Obama's did indeed have an international following more so than I can remember in MY lifetime. Inshallah, the refugees in this current class will take THEIR oaths of citizenship under his administration.
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