On this cold, winter day in our nation's capital we have just seen the inauguration of the first African American President of the United States. Some of us are excited about the new era which is upon us with a new President, Barack Obama, who will stand up for what he believes and some are saddened to see the end of the era of President George Bush, a man of honor and integrity who also stood up for what he believed but who was strongly maligned for that stance.
What does the future hold? Only time will tell.
Approximately forty four and 1/2 years ago the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law. That Act, which a Republican Senator helped to author and pass and which was strongly fillibustered by a group of Democratic Senators, became a landmark of civil rights legislation. On June 10, 1964 Republican Sen. Everett Dirksen of Ill, (who attended the University of Minnesota) said that the day marked the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's nomination to a second term, and proclaimed, in the words of Victor Hugo, "Stronger than all the armies is an idea whose time has come." He continued, "The time has come for equality of opportunity in sharing in government, in education, and in employment. It will not be stayed or denied. It is here!"
After all these years perhaps we can say that is really true and there is a greater sharing in government. Perhaps also it is symbolic that the first African American President of the United States of America is the son of an African father and and American mother. I pray that the bringing to this point in history what seems like the true beginning of racial equality will indeed be true.
This might not have been what everyone wanted to see happen this day in 2009 but we can all look ahead and agree to work together toward the growth of a "more perfect union".
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