Obama Inauguration and a Big Hug for America
Palpable Sense of a New Pulse for a Maturing Nation
Jan 20, 2009
When voters elected Obama, America demonstrated that it can be mature, a milestone more noticed abroad than at home.
Adult shoes are big. The nation that accepted immigrants from around the world for four centuries--with its promise of freedom and equality--is still trying to fill adult shoes. Obama’s swearing in as president demonstrated that growth in a world where some nations have existed for thousands--not hundreds--of years.
The Teenage Years
Teenagers test their parents and their world with outrageous behavior. They want to see what gives them affirmation and what boosts their ego. Yet, they often have to live according to the word “no”.
The United States has just gone through another step in the maturation process with a president who tested and failed, over and over. He did manage to boost his ego, at the price of damaging more than one nation. As president, he didn’t have to listen to and accept “no”.
It turns out that the American people are more mature than their former president. They do not think of themselves as torturers, war-mongers and supporters of a nation that spies on its own citizens and denies them due process. They also want the United States to take care of its own. Having nearly 40 million Americans living in poverty is unacceptable.
Hallmarks of Maturity
There are numerous hallmarks of maturity. Here are but a few of those we are witnessing in our present transitional moments.
- Moving from segregation to integration and, now, beyond.
- Striding from white male government of a nation of immigrants to a mix of a few women and specks of color, then beyond toward a time when a president’s race, gender and creed are not even noticed.
- Shifting from power broker leaders to power-sharing representatives of the people.
- Switching from trickle-down leadership to soliciting input and involvement from the bottom up.
- Willingness to deal with a changing world and its social and environmental issues.
- Displaying energy and creativity in thinking outside the box.
“No Bias, No Bull”
One journalist described Barack Obama’s inauguration speech as “no bias, no bull”. How refreshing it is to hear a leader not afraid to tell the truth.
The transition is from the patronizing “I can fix it”--i.e., “America is safer today because I…..” leadership style to an honest and transformational appraisal of the problems faced, where we are at the moment, and the patience needed--i.e., “Our problems are real and they are serious.” The impressive twist is that “together we can do it”.
The Groundswell Around Obama
On inauguration day the African American community rejoiced, embracing its long-needed top echelon role model. Obama, however, is not a civil rights leader. He is president. Both inside and outside the African American community people perceived the difference between having a black president and reaching a time when any qualified individual can be president. That’s another sign of the maturity America is displaying.
People of every color, political persuasion and cultural background sense a promising new pulse beat for a down-at-the-heels United States reeling from failed military policies, myriad financial policy disasters and a tarnished international image.
The new president speaks of challenge and change and of problems and prospects with a credible voice. Americans believe in him. It appears that at this new beginning the rest of the world sees him as a cultural icon. What an exciting time for a maturing country!
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