A New President of the United States

Today the first black President of the United States was sworn in. I didn't vote for him and I don't agree with some of his policies, but I respect the office of the President and will be interested to see what he can accomplish.

I do think this is a historic day for the U.S. and for blacks (or African Americans). As a caucasion (or Swedish American if you are trying to constantly delinitate where you come from) I can't imagine never having seen someone of my own color elected president. As a causcasion born to middle class America, even though I am female, I have never felt discriminated against. So I will never truly understand what some people have gone through here in the U.S.

For them this is amazing. In their life times some can remember when blacks could not drink from the same water fountain as whites, sit anywhere they wanted to on a bus, or become anything they wanted to become. In my life time none of those things have ever been an issue for me. I always knew that I just had to work hard in order to get what I wanted. For some, this has not always been the case--regardless of how hard they worked.

I think it is good that our country is moving in a direction where we can elect a person of any race and/or a woman. I may not agree with them, but a man or a woman can do a good job, regardless of race or gender. I'm glad Jacob will, hopefully, grow up with that as his world. He'll probably never know anything different.

I also think it sets a good example for those who feel picked on and like they never get a break. Obama does show that if you are willing to work for what you want, you can achieve it--regardless of your race.

I liked what he said in his speech, "In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted — for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things — some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom......Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction."

So, I hope people were listening and realize we do have to work for what we have and think practically before we spend foolishly.

Will be an interesting 4 years.