Thursday, January 29, 2009

President Barack Hussein Obama’s Inauguration

I took a day off from work on this historic day of 20th of January, 2009. As a person of African ancestry, it was hard not to feel proud to see "one of us" rise up to what is arguably the highest political office in the world in this current moment. It is an office that can be a blessing or a curse, depending on how the one who occupies it uses or misuses the power bestowed on him by millions of Americans.

I awaited Obama’s oath with anxiety and anticipation. I was not sure how I was going to feel. I was not sure if he was going to mention his middle name in full or as an initial or avoid it altogether. When he put his hand on that "Lincoln Bible" held by Michelle Obama, and raised his hand before the U.S. Chief Justice, my heart was racing so fast. I could literally feel it. I was so worried, hoping that nothing bad will happen before he actually took the oath of becoming the 44th President of the United States of America.

I was happy to hear him say, "I, Barack Hussein Obama …." And as my wife puts it after Obama was sworn in, "isn’t it ironic that America worked so hard to invade Iraq and overthrow its President, Saddam Hussein, only to have Barack Hussein as its own President today?"

As a Muslim, I liked his Inauguration Speech, especially two parts. First when he said, "For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth."

Secondly, I welcome the part when he said, "To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect."

And as a son of the Kenyan soil, I could not help but remember the stolen Presidential election in Kenya in December, 2007, when President Obama said, "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."

I was happy for Obama’s father, his Luo step-grandmother, and the people of their village, Kogelo, when he said, "And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more."

I was disappointed that he did not mention his mother, who was an extremely excellent human being who bestowed the little Barack with the best human values.

Finally I could not help being hopeful for those poor nations which some of them have been rendered poor due to corrupt leadership, some due to the legacy of colonialism and oppression they had endured, some due to civil wars, and others due to what "Mother Nature" can do to a land (e.g., drought).

President Barack Hussein Obama said, "To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds."

I do believe that as a person, Barack is a good human being. The question that some of us have is, will he allow his good soul to be corrupted by evil politicians, law makers, policy makers, special interests, lobbyists, etc.? I am optimistic of the change he will bring about domestically.

But I am less optimistic of the change in U.S. Foreign Policy. But time will tell. For the moment as he steps into the Oval Office, we give the Obama Administration the benefit of doubt and wish President Obama all the very best.