Obama’s presidential inauguration might have been the most sought-after and awaited of all. That day, January 20, 2009, was historic. It was the day when the first Non-caucasian American was sworn into the White House, the most powerful presidential office in the planet. As he said in his speech, “a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.”
There are many solemn points in the address, but “Remaking of America” could be the theme of the speech. The speech started with the swipe statement that could be seen “against” Bush: the choice of “hopes against fears”, as fear is indeed Bush’s presidential theme, that “those terrorists will come and get you.” He recognized the uphill battle in remaking America, for the situation is dire today: that the country is at war, that the economy is in shamble, and that the rest of the world distrusts America. He recognizes that the economic downturn was the mistakes of “some”, but also the failure to see what is sustainable. He also sees that “the market” itself is not the culprit — it is greed and lack of control of the market that brought the failures that led to the crisis.
He also laid out quite a comprehensive and reassuring foreign policy. Developmental and diplomatic approaches are the main theme of his policy: reduction of poverty, working alongside muslim countries, anti-corruption. But he stressed that if violence is the chosen approach by some, this will be met with definitive force. He criticizes the energy policy of the country, and promises to change it. Although not explicitly, this could mean coming back to the Kyoto Protocol.
The inaugural address leaves a very sweet aftertaste, that there is hope for America, and for the rest of the world, of peace and developmental progress. Let’s all hope so, and not fear so.
