I fell in love today...

I fell in love with hope again today...;)

I could not miss out on writing a blog today. Today, January 20, 2009, at noon, President Barack Hussein Obama took office. This indeed was a historic moment. Many people thought this could never happen in their lifetimes. In retrospect, I never even dreamed of this day.

I was fortunate to watch the inauguration ceremony live. It was 8:00am local time when my classmates and I trekked to the university center. To my delight, I found the Pub area backed with people eagerly awaiting the inauguration of the 44th president of the United States. Our new president! The atmosphere was very uplifting, and everyone was jovial. The atmosphere shifted to one of serenity when the oath taking began. Some even shed a few tears. It was truly moving and made me a little emotional, too. Our country truly has come a long way…At the same, however, many Americans like myself can’t help but remember the condition of our country over half a century ago.

Forty years ago Martin Luther King, Jr. was supposedly shot by James Earl Ray. Half a century ago Blacks were prohibited from sitting next to Whites in a restaurant, going to the same schools as Whites, and living a life of prosperity. It wasn’t uncommon for beatings and lynching to occur in some places. It’s undeniable that African-Americans have suffered and continue to suffer from the symptoms of a racist society. If you think about it, the era of segregation wasn’t too long ago. Those individuals who possessed such ideologies are still living and pass these ideologies on to the next generation. I grew up hearing the n-word and was also the target of blatant racism, but I am more hopeful than ever before.

Today, Barack Hussein Obama, the son of an African immigrant, stood on stage. Today, he was the one looking down at people, instead of others looking down on him. Today, he began the leadership so many dream of. This one man encompasses the hopes of entire nation and generation. My prayers and good wishes are with you, President Obama.