January 20 | Teen Ink

January 20 MAG

February 26, 2009
By rockandrollhs SILVER, Robbinsville, New Jersey
rockandrollhs SILVER, Robbinsville, New Jersey
8 articles 0 photos 0 comments

So, it’s inauguration day. After all the concerts and the speeches, there’s nothing more standing in the way: our new president is Barack Obama.

Yesterday I headed down to the National Mall in D.C. I wanted to feel the energy in anticipation of today’s swearing-in. And let me tell you: the collective excitement was palpable.

The only way I can describe it: America was in a good mood. Yesterday, trudging around in the dark and frigid cold, there was nothing but smiles. Anyone could talk to anyone. Held together by a common joy, a common hope, there were no enemies. Vendors who would normally be shrewd were generous and friendly. People struck up conversations with ­absolute strangers of any age, race, and religion. I could see, at least in this moment, that what Obama had said was true: we are not a country of red and blue, black and white, gay and straight, young and old. We are simply a country. And a great one.

People who have not felt pride and patriotism for a long time are rejoicing. We are reminded how lucky we are, how great an establishment we represent. We are reminded of our ideals: liberty, fairness, truth. Although we don’t ­always do them justice, they are, above all, what we aim for. I think we had somewhat forgotten this, had let these great roots of America be brushed aside and overshadowed by shame and worry.

Obama was right about something else, though: rebuilding our country will not be easy. It will not be possible if the majority of Americans emotionally check out after a month or two of hardships. We have as much of a duty to this administration as our president has to us – we must promise to persevere, promise to work hard, and promise above all not to lose the hope that we have spent almost two years rallying. It will take effort, and we all need to contribute if we want the promises of this administration to come true.

I feel that we are now in a position to revolutionize the establishment. We need change, and we finally have the unity and enthusiasm necessary to create that change. We are in the ideal position to right wrongs. And standing there, among countless strangers on the National Mall, I felt that it was ­possible. And sitting here, watching the coverage of the inauguration, I feel that it is inevitable.



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This article has 21 comments.


KatsK DIAMOND said...
on Feb. 19 2012 at 8:28 pm
KatsK DIAMOND, Saint Paul, Minnesota
57 articles 0 photos 301 comments

Favorite Quote:
Being inexhaustible, life and nature are a constant stimulus for a creative mind.<br /> ~Hans Hofmann<br /> You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you.<br /> ~Ray Bradbury

I totally agree. People who judge others on their names really have too much time on their hands; what's next? Oh wait, I guess since we've stooped that low, I guess we've done it all. Anyway, good job rockandrollhs.

on Dec. 15 2011 at 11:01 am
Sunshine15 PLATINUM, Modi&#39in, Other
20 articles 0 photos 18 comments

Favorite Quote:
Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, nothing else ever has. ~Margaret Mead

This article was soo amazing... I think it gave me a renewed sense of hope in politicians... I don't support Obama, but just the way you wrote about the nation becoming one was inredible. Awesome job!

Error BRONZE said...
on Jan. 29 2011 at 1:18 pm
Error BRONZE, Plano, Texas
3 articles 0 photos 56 comments

I think that's an unfortunate stereotpe. Not all politicians are power-hungry, and I'd love to see evidence of Obama ever extending his own power.

That's a republican thing, to be frank. The federal government's power extended enormously under the "Patriot" act.


on Jan. 23 2011 at 1:02 pm
The.King SILVER, Golden, Colorado
9 articles 1 photo 69 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;A story&#039;s beginning is a sudden event. The start, a happy accident; the end, the fate for which it&#039;s meant. A story that never ends is a sad fate.&quot;-Miss Edel

Hate to break it to ya, but hes still a politician. African-American or not, Democratic or not, President or not, politicians are in-and-of-themselves power hungry juggernauts, and will do whatever possible to receive that power. It is my impression that ALL politicians, no matter what party, are still the worst sort of people to be in public office, for the simple fact that the people that want power over others (for more information on that, see paragraphs 5 and 6 of my article John Doe: Property of the United States Government)

Error BRONZE said...
on Jan. 21 2011 at 10:09 am
Error BRONZE, Plano, Texas
3 articles 0 photos 56 comments

Hi TheKing (I have to say that is an AWESOME username),

I never thought to go there under Bush, oddly enough, but I wouldn't have believed it anyway. I didn't trust him. I DO trust Obama not to lie about the issues, however.


on Jan. 19 2011 at 2:21 am
The.King SILVER, Golden, Colorado
9 articles 1 photo 69 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;A story&#039;s beginning is a sudden event. The start, a happy accident; the end, the fate for which it&#039;s meant. A story that never ends is a sad fate.&quot;-Miss Edel

I was neutral about this article until you said one thing, "We have as much of a duty to this administration as our president has to us." No, the citizens of the US have far more a duty to our country than our president does. A government is nothing without its people, and it is the people that allow great things to happen. As Thomas Paine points out in The Rights of Man, "society performs for itself almost everything which is ascribed to government." Government does not supply the variety of food we have, create the incredible medicine available to us, or invent the amazing technology we have, we do. Good government allows these things to happen by leaving its people alone (for more info on that, check out my article John Doe: Property of the United States Government). Bad government can definetly throw sand in the gears, but luckily, no matter which power-hungry politician is in charge, it is the complex cooperation of the free people of America that run this country

on Jan. 19 2011 at 1:44 am
The.King SILVER, Golden, Colorado
9 articles 1 photo 69 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;A story&#039;s beginning is a sudden event. The start, a happy accident; the end, the fate for which it&#039;s meant. A story that never ends is a sad fate.&quot;-Miss Edel

And you didn't believe this website for Bush why? (I apologize if im stereotyping, I don't know you if you did support him then never mind. If so, then that question is for others

Error BRONZE said...
on Sep. 6 2010 at 12:52 pm
Error BRONZE, Plano, Texas
3 articles 0 photos 56 comments

(sigh)

Whitehouse.gov/issues should clear this up for you.


Error BRONZE said...
on Sep. 6 2010 at 12:50 pm
Error BRONZE, Plano, Texas
3 articles 0 photos 56 comments

That's just pointless. You very obviously have no idea what you are talking about.

Just do me a favor. Go to whitehouse.gov and look at the full list of what he's done. If you have any doubts about the accuracy (which I'm sure you do) just do your research on any randomy selected item from the list. The result, I'm sure, will shock you.


saimne SILVER said...
on Aug. 18 2010 at 7:01 pm
saimne SILVER, Cerritos, California
5 articles 0 photos 60 comments

Favorite Quote:
I see humans, but no humanity.

beliefs ? HA!

maybe actions would be a better argument... oh wait, nvm...


saimne SILVER said...
on Aug. 18 2010 at 7:00 pm
saimne SILVER, Cerritos, California
5 articles 0 photos 60 comments

Favorite Quote:
I see humans, but no humanity.

but if they go about those ideas the wrong way, its pointless. not to mention its a waste to judge someone based on their ideas and then they dont execute...

saimne SILVER said...
on Aug. 18 2010 at 6:58 pm
saimne SILVER, Cerritos, California
5 articles 0 photos 60 comments

Favorite Quote:
I see humans, but no humanity.

like what ? O____o

on Jul. 27 2010 at 7:49 pm
bluesky0728 SILVER, Phoenix, Arizona
8 articles 0 photos 107 comments
Wow. So.... positive. Great job :)

on Apr. 30 2010 at 5:34 pm
Grasshopper007 GOLD, Hamilton, Other
15 articles 0 photos 20 comments
I can't believe some people don't support Obama! Look how many good things he is doing for your country!

on Apr. 8 2010 at 9:00 pm
TheMaisinator BRONZE, Leeds, Maine
4 articles 0 photos 15 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Maybe we should develop a Crayola bomb as our next secret weapon. A happiness weapon. A beauty bomb. And every time a crisis developed, we would launch one. It would explode high in the air - explode softly - and send thousands, millions, of little parachutes into the air. Floating down to earth - boxes of Crayolas. And we wouldn&#039;t go cheap, either - not little boxes of eight. Boxes of sixty-four, with the sharpener built right in. With silver and gold and copper, magenta and peach and lime, amber and umber and all the rest. And people would smile and get a little funny look on their faces and cover the world with imagination.&quot;<br /> ~Robert Fulghum

This article gives me so much hope (:

Error BRONZE said...
on Nov. 5 2009 at 12:51 pm
Error BRONZE, Plano, Texas
3 articles 0 photos 56 comments
Awesome. You've just about said it!

Error BRONZE said...
on Nov. 5 2009 at 12:50 pm
Error BRONZE, Plano, Texas
3 articles 0 photos 56 comments
Barack Obama is the best thing for America.

see "Obama for real, please," The thread in the forums. I don't want to explain here.

fandangopink said...
on Oct. 12 2009 at 8:24 pm
Honestly? His middle name? What about his beleifs and values? And ideals. His middle name? Jeez... people have way too much time on their hands. Get informed.

on Aug. 3 2009 at 12:32 am
sharpquill DIAMOND, Brookfield, Wisconsin
83 articles 0 photos 5 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;There are all kinds of courage. It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.&quot; - Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer&#039;s Stone

His middle name? Really? Wow. Get over it. Judge a candidate by his merits, his work, his ideas. Don't judge him by his name.

on May. 3 2009 at 1:31 pm
I don't like Barack.