Inauguration OpinionBy Kaleb Klopfenstein, age 17This year’s inauguration was one with great importance and meaning. I saw multiple instances of symbolism throughout the eager and energized event. Just the fact that our new president is black has a great significance on our country. It is inspiring to some to see that everyone has the same opportunity to succeed and get ahead. It wasn’t long ago when not one black person held a position in office. One instance of symbolism is when President Obama gave his speech. Just a few decades back, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech in the same location. In his speech he asked the crowd if they were satisfied. I don’t think they were. If he was to ask the same question today, I think the reply might be a little different. Although I think it just about impossible for everyone to be satisfied, people are beginning to become more content. Also in his speech, Martin Luther King Jr. said that we should not be judged by the color of our skin, but by the content of our character. This quote was wrapped around the theme of the whole inauguration.Although I strongly disagree with just about everything President Obama stands for, I will still have to respect this man. He was put in this position of high power for a reason and we must honor that, even if we completely conflict with his morals and beliefs.2009 InaugurationBy Brett Green, age 18I see no color. I see no personality in the dress worn. I see words flustering in my mind. I see promises made to an entire country. I see a man on a journey no one has ever ventured. I see difference in ideas and morals. I see greatness, I see lack of greatness. I see purpose and pressure, but most of all I see a man on a mission. As a young American I have a vision different from many others. Our president might not be the one I would select, but I understand that I must put my emotions and selfishness to the side. Because I do believe this is what our country has asked for and is what we have gotten. We as a country must stand together and support the leader in charge, and that’s what I will do.During the inauguration I wasn’t interested in checking out our new president’s color, or how good he could speak in front of 1.8 million people. Instead I looked for character. Because that’s all you can judge a man on, after all I wanted to know if this man represents my feelings as an American and our countries best feelings. The speech was second to few with reminiscences from ‘I Have A Dream,’ the sermon was true and biased to no one. Lets pass by the poem because we as a country, including I, need to be optimistic. Instead, we should note from the inauguration that we have selected a leader for change, and a leader that can give us inspiration and a path to follow. After all, this leader might pick us up and dust our shoulders off for us.InaugurationBy Chandler Bartlett, age 18When Obama was sworn into office, we all witnessed history. Two of the candidates in this election were an African-American and a woman. These candidates would have been unthinkable 40 years ago. Whether we like it or not, it has happened. Obama is president and now all we can do is look to the future. Not saying that I like Obama or his ideas but we must accept him as our leader. Martin Luther King Jr. once said that he wanted to live in a country where people weren’t judged by their color but of the content of their character. That, I believe, is far greater than what race you are or where you are from. To successfully be a great country and strive to make his a better place we must stand behind our leaders. We must come together in unity and be as one or we will fall. I once heard that a country cannot be conquered from without unless it has first fallen from within.This country is facing hard times, but to turn or not accept our new leader would just make things harder. If he thinks his definition of “change” can bring this country around then I say let him try, but if not, then I say we learn from it and move on. Be a republican or democrat when voting, but in daily responsibility be an American. We have yet to see if Obama will be a good leader or if he will bring us down further in to depression, only time will tell. Until then, let’s give him a chance and withhold judgement.2009 InaugurationBy Maggie Hothan, age 17The 2009 Inauguration seemed to be primarily focused on the fact that it was the first inauguration where an African American was sworn into office. It was mentioned throughout the day what a great day in history it was because of Barack Obama becoming the first black president. Also, reporters were seen interviewing black people asking them how it made them feel that someone of their own race was the new president. They all replied somewhere along the lines of what a great milestone this is in our nation and how proud they all are. The media is buzzing about how this day will go down in history as the day when the first African American became president.African Americans are all about being treated equally to white men, as they should be and usually are. But whenever one has accomplished something only a white man has done or elected into a position of importance, a big deal is made out of it. A big deal meaning that, it is made known throughout the media, that an African American has done something of seemingly extra importance. They publicize it as if someone inferior to the rest of the population has done something out of the ordinary that should be honored.The fact is however, that the African American race is not inferior to anyone in America anymore. If they want to be treated as equals, why do they get more attention than necessary when a white person would not? Our country is not supposed to be one of segregation, but it is the African American race itself that segregates. They segregate themselves by allowing the media and the nation to get excited when someone is the first black man to do something. It’s almost as if they still see themselves as the inferior race, when in reality, most of the nation does not.The days of separation and racism are in the past, it is time to start living like they are. President Barack Obama is just another man, just as equal as you and me. As far as I’m concerned, he’s just another man living in the White House, not any more important or making any more of an impression on history than any other president.Inaugural CritiqueBy Nicole Tischler, age 18January 20, 2009, marks the second most successful reform of Martin Luther King Jr. He would surely be the proudest man alive if he could see the first African American being sworn in as President of the United States of America. As the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr. dispersed through the air, the name of John Kennedy came into conversation. Several ponder the economical similarities between J.F.K. and President Barack Obama. Both men were sworn in to our bottomless pit of economical concerns, and both men had promised to steer clear from the former Republican crisis plan. Obama wants to provide economic assistance to the state and local governments. He intends to help homeowners and the common person living on Main Street, rather than continue giving to Wall Street. These are parallel proposals to those of J.F.K. Nevertheless, on Inauguration Day, Obama wasn’t anybody else but himself.Personally, I did not mark my ballot for Obama because I like McCain’s military background and experience. I don’t believe someone can manage the war properly if they have never been exposed to military procedure. They don’t truly know what long separation and deployment feel like. Besides the many criticisms I may have for Obama, he has been elected president. Fortunately, I like his view, “We are better served by helping our neighbors than by watching them drown in a sea of debt.” This statement is very democratic, but when you analyze it, you will realize that in the long run that idea will better economically serve our country as a whole. Also, Obama said for us to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and start the reform of America. It is a reoccurring theme amongst our presidents to talk about overcoming fears, uniting as a nation and working with the government, but without action, these are just broken record words. Obama has the opportunity to put these temporary inspirations into action.I guess, “The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works.” These words said by Obama are a challenge to him. He promises us a many great things; to give us hope, to get us in a new direction, and to ensure that every person, free and equal, can pursue their full measure of happiness. I believe he has the right goals in mind, but perhaps too much of a socialistic plan to get there. At least he has started to lay the foundation down; whether it will be sturdy… we have four years to find out. In the meantime, pray for our president to gain the understanding, courage, knowledge and guidance he needs to lead our nation.
