I want to write a post about the swearing in of the new president of the USA. I want to talk about the things i saw last night, when it was high noon in Washington and it was midnignt in my part of the world, in Manila.
But there are just too many things to say because he stands for so many things. And every time he does or says something, it adds another layer, and words become redundant; instead it's easier to just feel the impact on your humanity, and on the human race.
It feels good somehow to say those three words: President Barack Obama. Finally a different name, one with a lot of vowels, and phonetically a name that opens up your mouth to say something different. At the same time the man who owns that name seems to open us up to alternative possibilities. But he says, those possibilities only come with responsibility and accountability. And I like that. For too long we've expected others to make the world a good place for us. But really it all depends on us. I also like that he reiterates the importance of community. The world is getting smaller, her says, and big countries like the US can no longer be indifferent to the needs and sufferings of others, especially a country like theirs, that has plenty.
It felt like, he was addressing my country in particular. I suppose it felt that way for a lot of people. Because of the "patchwork heritage" he so often mentions, you feel a personal affinity towards him. "He's just like me," you say. He has experienced discrimination, he has seen hunger and poverty and lived in its midst. He knows what it's like to have your destiny limited simply because of the color of his skin or the misfortune of his race. Now here he is showing us the countless possibilities, by reminding us he was the son of a black man who wouldn't be served in a restaurant 60 years ago; and that man is now taking a most sacred oath as the first African American President of the United States.
Now these are all rather lofty, and high hopes are sometimes dangerous because we set such store on them. We have hight hopes for this man, and it remains to be seen if indeed, he will not let us down. Notice I use the all-inclusive pronoun, us. The extent to which we are affected by the actions and decisions of this one man is deep. The history and the hurts trace their roots back to over a century. What will happen to the Philippines now? Will he indeed extend his hand, will he give us an ear? Will there be policies to help our veterans, our immigrants, and protect our overseas Filipino workers? Will he give it to us? We will find out.
Hopefully he does begin this revolution of change, and all nations come out and take up the challenge. Let's hope he does take us through the icy currents and create a wealth of possibilities for all those who are willing to roll up their sleeves and get things done!
