History Hangover

Yesterday was pretty packed for us, so I really didn't get a chance to post. I have a few (very few) seconds right now, so I'll blurt a few things out. I'm a total social studies nerd. I always have been and I always will be. Nicholas has become my apprentice. Go back to the post from this summer when we walked the Freedom Trail...look at the glee on our faces. So yesterday was pretty big in this house.

First of all, I wonder if we are even aware of how blessed we are to have the ability to choose our leaders of our own free will without intimidation or threat of violence. We then witness power changing hands free of bloodshed or fear. No violent overthrow. No election manipulation. No military coup. President Obama shook President Bush's hand and waved good bye to him. Ok, so Eisenhower refused to get out of the car to have the ceremonial morning coffee with outgoing President Truman on his inauguration day, but that's more funny than anything. The snide remarks of those who did not vote for President Obama have annoyed me a bit, but what really makes me mad are those who (with great drama and flourish) have declared that they FEAR him and what could happen to our country during his administration. ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? We have no idea what it is to fear a political leader. I suggest those doomsday extremists Google names like Omar al-Bashar, Slobodan Milosevic, Ratka Mladic and Kim Jung Il. Someone won the election and someone didn't. The fact is, we had choices and neither one was going to try to kill us. We are better off than much of the world.

Off that soap box. As for the events yesterday...

I believe that that Rev. Dr. King's dream saw a glimmer of hope and President Obama was elected on the content of his character (or his platform, or his vision...) not on the color of his skin. With that said, we cannot ignore the historical significance of his election. I'm not black. I was born after the civil rights movement. I can't pretend to fully understand the enormity of this step in our history, but I'm glad I got to witness it. I'm glad I got the chance to explain it to my kids. To see the confusion on Megan's face as she asked, "What do you mean there's never been a president with brown skin? Why not?" was actually encouraging. It was sad to have to explain that not that long ago some people with dark skin were owned by other people in this country and really not that long ago rules were still unfair according to people's color. It gave me hope, though, that both my kids think that's pretty ridiculous, because God made our insides all the same.

Here's a review of the Inauguration from my kids' perspectives: Megan sat on my lap (I picked her up early from school) and watched the swearing in. She liked the big, really old Bible. She really likes Sasha and Malia. She thought Aretha Franklin's hat was about the craziest thing she'd ever seen. Nick was ecstatic that he got to watch it at school. He laughed because the Chief Justice screwed up the oath and it made President Obama laugh. Admittedly, he's one of those 7-year-old types that's glad "his guy" won. He wants to go to Washington in the worst way. We need to work on that.

**My picture of Nick from last year is stuck up at the top...pretend it's right here.**