Today is Inauguration Day in the United States. Millions of people are expected on the Mall in Washington, D.C. for the historic event. The media has been obsessed with the afair for days now and today of course is the apex of that coverage. Radio and television has regaled us with patriotic and heartfelt tales from citizens of all ethnicities and creeds. Quotes have been flying from Dr. Martin Luther King and President Abraham Lincoln. Barack Obama's own speeches and writings have been broadcast over and over again to the delectation of millions of Americans. Many Americans truly believe that Obama is the president that will heal the diseased race relations in the U.S. and unite all Americans, no matter what political affiliation or religious ideology.
However, though I voted for the man and believe him to be the best hope to guide us out of the darkness of the last eight years, I'm still very concerned today.
I happened to hear an excerpt from one of his speeches on my drive into work this morning and it's gnawing at me. I'm not going to try to convey the exact quote, but it was to the effect that "there is not a liberal America and a conservative America ... there's only a United States of America." And while it's an inspring and somewhat utopian thought, I really don't find it to be true.
I work in the aviation business. My "office" is a rather large operations center staffed with people of all kinds, though atmittedly, mostly caucasian. I also find there to be a sharp divide of political ideology and I find that I'm overwhelmed by conservative dogma.
Now keep in mind - a good number of people in my company are ex-military, so it's understandable that there would be an unusually large number of conservatives. But it seems to permeate the general population as well.
For example, we have two, large televisions in the room to keep us informed as to events that may affect us. One television has 24-7 coverage of The Weather Channel and the other "graces" us with the always overly-dramatic and questionably accurate, Fox News Channel.
I guess what really bugs me is the audacity of the conservative element at work.
Technically, I'm independent, but I'm definitely liberal for the most part. Those of us here who are in the Obama camp, have been very gracious about this win and I certainly have restrained my enthusiasm out of respect for the opposition (i.e. - the losers), because even though they don't realize it, we're all winners with this election. And I'm simply not the sort to gloat over my win. That is the case for the vast majority of us "commie-liberals" here at work.
What really bothers me is that the conservatives are overtly cruel, dismissive, and bitter about Obama's win. They have no reservations whatsoever about complaining, making light of his presidency, and making off-color jokes - all very boisterously in mixed company. And this is all before he even takes the oath of office - which as I'm writing is now just one hour away.
I have found this sort of attitude to be fairly common in the conservative community at large, leading me to believe that Obama and many others are wrong in thinking that this country is not divided. My observations show me that it's still very bitterly divided.
I realize that Obama has said on several occasions that the change (some of us) seek will not come overnight. That is a blazingly true statement I believe. Hopefully, Obama will prove to be the uniter he claims he can be, because though his presidency definitely marks a change in this country and in worldwide opinion, here at home, there's a long way to go.
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