I watched the innaguration of President Obama in the law school auditorium. The room was packed. Some people wept. One woman lifted her hands in the air when Rick Warren prayed (though a few people boo’ed Warren). The entire room stood when the oath of office was administered. People clapped and cheered as though they were present at the ceremony. There was a mood in the room, not only of hope, but also of relief.
I think those of us from middle and upper-middle class conservative church backgrounds just don’t fathom the depth of disenfranchisement felt by so many people during the Bush years. Even more than ever, it seemed clear to me today that our alignment with Republican politics has been profoundly unfaithful to our calling as the Church. Yes, there are things our conscience as the Church requires us to speak clearly about. I think, I hope, that we’re learning how to do that with true independence and humility.
I feel proud and grateful to have been able to witness the first African-American President’s innaguration. I also feel proud and grateful to be among such an amazing group of colleagues and students. And I feel energized to keep about the work of faith, truth, justice, renewal and hope in allegience to and by the grace of Jesus the Redeemer.
One reply on “Watching History”
From my position as an outsider (NZ/ UK) I watched the inauguration with mostly curiousity. However, I was moved by the obvious reaction of so many people to this event. I’ve heard criticism from many that Obama has become a sort of “messianic figure”, and that a personality cult has gown up around him. I’m starting to suspect that this criticism is misguided. The outpouring of emotion I saw was not worship of an indivudual, but a sense of corporate relief that a defining moment in the culture of a nation had occurred.
Very poignant indeed.