We have a new president! The inauguration was so inspiring. I don't consider myself a super political person in general, but didn't all Americans become a little more political over the past year? I don't even support an official political party; I vote based on individual candidates and policy over party. Talking politics makes me nervous because it's such a charged topic. Since I'm not super experienced discussing politics, I hope expressing my political opinions here doesn't come off as condescending to the "other side." That's one of my least favorite parts of politics, when people get on their high horse and look down on everyone else who has different horses. Or something like that. Basically, I hope this is a hopeful post and not a whiny naggy cranky post. Back to the inauguration!
Somehow I had never actually watched a presidential inauguration before, at least not that I remember. I do remember watching Barak Obama's election night victory speech back in 2008 and feeling that patriotic elation of forward progress, history-in-the-making, and hope. But I don't remember ever watching an actual inauguration, so I didn't know what to expect. Obviously with Covid restrictions and post-riot increased security, this inauguration had a small gathering and less pageantry than usual, but I didn't notice! In fact, I loved the national mall covered with thousands of flags in the place of a tightly-packed loud crowd.
I forgot to check the schedule and turned the inauguration on YouTube 20 minutes late, partway through Biden's speech. I watched the rest of the ceremony live, and then when it ended I went back and watched the part I missed. It was so moving--balm to my politically bedraggled soul. I was surprised to find myself in tears over and over throughout the entire event. We have national leaders who promote unity, love, mercy, light, and action. What a hopeful concept! I know enough to know that no single president can solve all of our nation's problems, or even most of them, but having leaders who are committed to speaking truth and building unity, rather than tearing it down, makes a difference. The rhetoric coming out of the White House over the past four years was so negative, selfish, and hopeless, my stomach clenched in anxiety and shame over and over. Not anymore!
My heart and head are still processing the inauguration as a whole, but it felt right to write some thoughts about it before time softens my reaction too much. My INTJ personality resists getting "caught up" in the moment. I usually observe events, then process them for a while before sharing my opinion on them. I guess I want to make sure that my initial reaction rings true to my core values, or maybe it's just my normal preference for careful thoughtful word choice over heat-of-the-moment speech-making. Whatever. I was totally caught up in the historic patriotic hopefulness of the inauguration!
Three highlights hit me hardest:
Highlight #1: The heady sense of watching history in the making was strong as Kamala Harris, the first woman, first Black woman, first Asian woman ever elected to national office take her oath. It was such an inspiring, historic moment! I recently listened to Kamala Harris's memoir, "The Truths We Hold", read in her own voice. Hearing her story and all of the good she has accomplished, both professionally and personally, helped me get to know her, understand her, and respect her all the more. After the many manifestations of racial tensions in our country over the past four years, watching Kamala Harris sworn into the office of vice president was a powerful message of hope and progress. Not to mention the straight-up girl powerfulness of the moment!
Highlight #2: President Biden's inauguration speech was stellar. His words about unity, love, mercy, and service really stood out to me. Even though it's only been four years since we had a president who gave palatable speeches, listening to Biden's words was like plunging into a cool shady oasis after a long ordeal in a hot crispy desert.
"Lead not by the example of power, but by the power of our example."
"Democracy has prevailed."
"I will always level with you."
Sniff and YES.
Highlight #3: Amanda Gorman, age 22, national poet laureate, wrote and recited a beautiful poem right before the benediction, called "The Hill We Climb." (click the title to watch or read--I highly recommend watching her stunning delivery) I don't think I had ever been moved to tears by poetry before hearing this poem read on January 20th, 2021, a day of so many inspiring, fist-pumping, firsts.
The first line: "When day comes, we ask ourselves where can we find light in this never-ending shade."
My tears began here: "Somehow we've weathered and witnessed a nation that isn't broken, but simply unfinished."
And the powerful closing lines: "There is always light if only we are brave enough to see it, if only we are brave enough to be it."
SO MOVING!! Wow. She captured both hurt and hope in an incredibly poignant way. What powerful, positive, hopeful words. I watched it once live, then again afterwards because her words spoke to my soul. The right combination of words resonates perfect pitch like a harmonic! Beautiful hopeful truth.
So much of what was said during the inauguration aligns with my personal religious beliefs. Maybe that's why I found it so moving. We aren't broken, we are unfinished. Lead by example. Be the light. Share the light. All are welcome. Mercy matters.
Happy joyful hopeful peaceful inauguration day!
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