It was a Good Speech

Like many millions around the globe, I, too, watched the inauguration ceremony yesterday. Everyone wants to see history in the making, and this was certainly one of those moments.

First of all, I enjoyed the artistic portion of the ceremony. Aretha Franklin’s hat was cute and very amusing. The musical piece by Johan Williams was magnificent and quite inspiring. And Elizabeth Alexander’s poem was a bit too much after Obama’s long speech. However, the benediction by Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery was more than heartwarming.

Above all, I was honestly touched to see Michelle herself holding the Bible as Obama took his oath. Although it is a long tradition by now, I felt as though I’m watching an intimate moment between the two.

And now to the Inaugural Address itself…

I was very glad to see it lacks the “populistic” tone Obama’s speeches had used to invoke during the campaign trail. In contrast, the Inauguration Speech was a very serious and detailed declaration of intentions. At some points, it was even academic in nature. No catch phrases, but a lot of content; a complex viewpoint, and a mature approach to the tasks ahead.

These are the parts that have caught my attention:

A message of pragmatism:

The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works.

A message of unity:

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.

A message of pride:

To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict or blame their society’s ills on the West, know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy.

We will not apologize for our way of life nor will we waver in its defense.

A message of conciliation:

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.

A message of innovation and continuity:

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.

A message of commitment and restraint:

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. This is the price and the promise of citizenship.

A message of hope and optimism:

Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were tested, we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.

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