I Count!

Published January 21st, 2009

I love American Political Speeches. I do believe it’s difficult to judge them right away though - most of the great ones are great because of what followed. Of late, many political speeches have become exercises in eloquently saying nothing at all, which is unfortunate. Barack Obama’s Inaugural Address was not one of those, but I don’t believe it will be one of the great speeches either. And that’s OK. Obama is known as a good contemporary political orator - ever since his speech at the 2004 convention. I think it’s well-deserved. But his Inaugural Address was not really an “Obama Speech” - it did not have the grandiose, soaring vision we’re used to from him on a large stage. I believe this was actually a calculated maneuver. He was speaking directly to America as President for the first time and saying, “Now is not the time for nebulous, idealistic vision - now is the time for actual work.” This isn’t to say idealism is bad - I strongly believe that you should start with some idealism before you engage practicalities. My personal grade for the Obama Inaugural Address is probably a B. It was not a speech that will be considered among the greats (on it’s own merits as a speech, it was certainly historically great in other ways) but it was a solid acceptance and assessment of the state of the nation. In fact, it sounded more like a State of the Union address than an Inaugural Address. Because it’s an inaugural year, there will be no SOTU speech this year. But Obama sort of gave one anyway.

I appreciate American political speeches for their art and for their own sake. But often, the imagery doesn’t speak directly to me. Often they talk of God - no particular religion, but definitely referring to a deity. Those parts do not inspire me beyond the most abstract of ways. And because there has never been any positive recognition of atheism or agnosticism, or notable absence of religion, in a major political speech, I’ve not really felt “represented” or “spoken to” by speeches. Often, non-believers are derided by public officials and have been for some time. But yesterday, that changed.

The Obama speech definitely enthused me on a political level, but finally, FINALLY I felt personally acknowledged positively by a major elected official. This was “Change” that actually referred to me on a personal level. I was shocked, astounded but absolutely happy. Because I am an American and proud to be one - and for the first time I felt like maybe America is proud to have me as well. So for that, Thank you, President Obama. Thank you.

The moment:

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 nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.

Category: Personal, opinion, obama, politics | Tags: