Let all the ends thou aimst at be thy country’s, thy God’s, and to truths be noble and the nobleness that lies in other men, sleeping but never dead shall rise in majesty to meet thy own. (inscribed on the top mantle of Union Station, Washington, D.C.)

I WAS A FIRST HAND WITNESS TO HISTORY YESTERDAY ALONG WITH MILLIONS OF AMERICANS. As our new 47 year old African American President took the oath of office, hand placed firmly on the Lincoln Bible, Michelle looking at him adoringly and approvingly (although when he and Chief Justice Roberts had an oath of office malfunction she shot him a look like, “Baby pull it together, we have worked too hard and traveled too far for this moment–get the words right so that you can be nice and legal and we can move into that great new home.”) the favored quotation above came instantly to my mind.

I see in this man, humanity at its best. I see in him someone who can bring us back to who we are supposed to be as Americans. I hear in him the human compassion and servant oriented call to arms that we as a country so desperately need in our leaders right now. Do I think he is perfect, or messianic, of course not. None of us is above being human. He will disappoint us. He will have rough moments. He will stumble, he will stammer, but he will prevail and he will make us all proud.

What I like most though is what he had to say to us yesterday as Americans and I like even more the imagery of his historic rise to the United States Presidency. Those images embody L-O-V-E of his family and his country. I so like the LOVE that is so apparent and genuine between him and his wife of 16 years. I like the image of a powerful black man, his elegant wife, and their daughters being broadcast world wide. I think the Obamas will help usher in a new era of romance and commitment between black men and black women in this nation. I get giddy when I see them–misty even because they embody everything I ever wanted for my own life, and that of my two nieces.
I, along with my 10 year old niece, Alexandra chronicled the day from start to finish with photos and journal logs. To read the firsthand entries please go to my political blog: http://www.politicalintersectionblog.com/ (see also Alex’s blog chronicling of the Kid’s Inaugural Concert on January 19, 2009 in an interview with Essence.com http://essence.typepad.com/electioncentral2008/2009/01/kids-for-obama.html)

We took some great photos (which I will post) including the ones where the new President and first lady got out of their car about 50 feet from where we were located on the parade route and waved to us all as they walked down the street smiling in the bitter cold. It was a sight to behold. I felt like my generation and those younger than us finally had our JFK moment.
In the final analysis, as the Rev. Lowery said yesterday and on election night–America has been reborn. I feel like we as black Americans have been and will be (finally) redefined. Redefined for the better. Redefined for who we truly are as husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, academics, hard workers, intellectuals, etc. Thank you Barack and Michelle for your willingness to put it all on the line a 22 months ago and make the improbable run for the Presidency.
As my mom used to tell me non-stop: nothing ventured–nothing gained.
If I Have Not Love, I am Nothing
Sophia