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St. Sebastian's Day
Pistachio House, Tacoma
My Dear Friends,
For eight years now, I have been constantly reminded, nearly every day, of the words that New York Boss Mark Hannah reportedly uttered of Theodore Roosevelt, "I can't believe that goddam cowboy is President of the United States". Indeed.
Today, the cowboy ambles home to Texas. Praise God.
I'm staying home today, with millions around the country and the world, to watch this moment. Of course, I've been watching Presidential inaugurals since 1977, so that's not particularly new.
However, (and however you feel about Mr Obama's politics) this is an amazing moment in the history of my country. For centuries his were a people enslaved, and then freed to poverty and powerlessness, a bloody stain on our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution, and they now celebrate - we now celebrate - the inauguration of one of their own as President.
It was only forty years ago that African Americans were allowed to march in an inaugural parade.
It is one of the miracles of genius of our democracy that we can have these peaceful transfers of power from one president to another, from one party to another, and now from one people to another.
It awes me.
And there are three million or more people in the bitter January cold of our capital to witness it.
This is the biggest party our country has ever thrown. I for one, plan to enjoy it.
I, too, sing America.
I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.
Tomorrow,
I'll be at the table
When company comes.
Nobody'll dare
Say to me,
"Eat in the kitchen,"
Then.
Besides,
They'll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed--
I, too, am America.
(Langston Hughes)
Edited to add: Aretha Franklin is sheer genius.
Edited to add: Congratulations, Mr. President.
Pistachio House, Tacoma
My Dear Friends,
For eight years now, I have been constantly reminded, nearly every day, of the words that New York Boss Mark Hannah reportedly uttered of Theodore Roosevelt, "I can't believe that goddam cowboy is President of the United States". Indeed.
Today, the cowboy ambles home to Texas. Praise God.
I'm staying home today, with millions around the country and the world, to watch this moment. Of course, I've been watching Presidential inaugurals since 1977, so that's not particularly new.
However, (and however you feel about Mr Obama's politics) this is an amazing moment in the history of my country. For centuries his were a people enslaved, and then freed to poverty and powerlessness, a bloody stain on our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution, and they now celebrate - we now celebrate - the inauguration of one of their own as President.
It was only forty years ago that African Americans were allowed to march in an inaugural parade.
It is one of the miracles of genius of our democracy that we can have these peaceful transfers of power from one president to another, from one party to another, and now from one people to another.
It awes me.
And there are three million or more people in the bitter January cold of our capital to witness it.
This is the biggest party our country has ever thrown. I for one, plan to enjoy it.
I, too, sing America.
I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.
Tomorrow,
I'll be at the table
When company comes.
Nobody'll dare
Say to me,
"Eat in the kitchen,"
Then.
Besides,
They'll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed--
I, too, am America.
(Langston Hughes)
Edited to add: Aretha Franklin is sheer genius.
Edited to add: Congratulations, Mr. President.
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