In commemoration of this historic day, Barack Obama's inauguration, I decided to finally set up the blog for my semester exchange to the Danish School of Journalism, in which I leave next week. In no way is my blog comparable to the tremendous and meaningful inauguration, but President Obama has inspired me to seize the moment and move me to action. My hopes for the new President are great, and although I worry for all this newfound pressure, not just from the States but around the Globe, I hope he doesn't crack from all these great expectations.
There's a famous expression out there: "Black don't crack." But you know what? If President Obama does crack from all this pressure, I'm OK with it. The position of US President is immense, and I'm OK because he is just a man. We forget and have gotten all caught up in all this Obama fever that he is just one man trying to do his best at the job he was given. The road will be tough for President Obama, the shit hole that Bush left is huge, and President Obama will probably and most likely hit some bumps along the way.
There will be so many people out there waiting to pounce and tear apart every single move and decision he makes. But it is important that the American people, and people around the world, to not fall off the Obama bandwagon so easily. J.F.K. said famously in his own inauguration speech "Ask not what your country can do for you - but what you can do for your country." J.F.K. also addressed us non-Americans too: "Ask not what America can do for you - but what together we can do for the freedom of man." I think it is so easy for people to sit back and criticize other people, and let other people make the decisions for you. But we are the ones who can control our own destinies, and shape our futures. Yes President Obama is an inspiration and an icon to me, not just cause I'm also a person of colour, but because I am human who also hopes for change to come to the trouble-stricken world. I can't wait to see what the future holds for him. He has already achieved so much, even before starting his time in Office, and I appreciate what he has done and achieved so far. But like him, I'm not gonna sit back, I'm gonna take my life into my hands, and start a new beginning of my own.
By me going to Denmark, it will probably mark the biggest milestone in my history. Before this, I pretty much just coasted and went with the flow. Although I am a very laid-back person and like to go with the flow; I easily could of stayed at Carleton and graduated on time, stayed at home with my loving family in Ottawa, stayed at my job and be somewhat financially secure, and stayed with my great friends. But life is not meant to be easy, at some point you have to make a decision, and that decision will hopefully lead to a new beginning, and this is mine, my new beginning.
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well said sophie!
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