History in the Making

Last night I watched CNN, live coverage of President Barrack Obama's inaugurial speech.  At first I planned to sleep early, but me mom called and told me about the ceremony.  I started watching from 10 pm and it went on and on and on....

And when he delivered the speech...it's all worth it.  

I didn't watch it because he's the first African American to be president ( I often wondered how convenient it is for people to forget about his white mother), but I watched it because, regardless of the color of his skin, he seems to be truly, one great person.  A true leader, someone trustworthy, with integrity, and mindful of others.  It's like, he should be a reverend, or spiritual guru, or write a self-help book.  Definately not a politician.  that's for sure.

And his speech....Oh my, it was perfect.  I have never been the one who's interested in politics, but after hearing his speech, it made me want to stand up and said, "YEAH!!"  and proud about being American...until a second later I realized that I'm not an American.  and he's not my president.  

Anyway, I have no favorite line from the speech, and I equally love his " Yes, We Can " victory speech last November 5th, 2008 in Chicago (it's 3 parts! -- if you want to jump to the exciting part, you should go to part 3, but you'd appreciate it more when you listen from the start) 

But as I listened to him, I remembered how my mom always told me how great of an orator President Soekarno was.  How when he delivered his speech, everybody from the most educated and from the rickshaw drivers, all stopped and listened from the radio.  

Having to endure President Soeharto's so-called speech (reading directly from the transcript, without any eye contact) which was on air in all television stations, both private and public ( I imagine the Ministry of Information put a gun behind the stations' owners to force them to air it), I have always been curious about it.

And when President Obama gave his speech, I know that I have to make sure Felicia will have the opportunity to listen to it.  After all, I hope one day Felicia will read this blog, and understand a little bit more about her mom, about who I am as a person, what I like and dislike, and what I considered important.  And this, is important.  

He personifies hope and defiance of what people deemed impossible.  

And although he is not my president, and we do not live in America and we're not American, I can't help but thinking, Yes, I want Felicia to know that She Can too; not only having dream, but also make it come true.  I would not laugh if she said she wants to be President, or Austronout, or Writer, or Journalist, or Teacher, or perhaps even, a Librarian.  

Yes, She Can.

Some quotations from his inaugurial speech...

" ...we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted — for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things — ...who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom."

"But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions — that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America."

"Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions — who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage."

"They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint."

"To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."

"For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies."

And of course...

"Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends — honesty and hard work, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism — these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility — a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task."

Felicia, listen to what Mr. Obama has to say!