Letter: Obama inauguration should awaken hearts

Letter: Obama inauguration should awaken hearts



Frank Bright
St. Augustine
Publication Date: 01/17/09


Editor: As the historic day grows closer, the swearing-in of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States, I feel the need to share my thoughts about this time in history. I'm a middle-aged, white guy, just one of the tens of millions of my demographic who helped Obama get elected with our vote. The magnitude of Jan. 20, 2009 is enormous, a benchmark for change.

Moreover, it's a chance for two groups of Americans to truly get on board in making this a new day in our country. The first group I speak of is that percentage of white Americans who still harbor racial prejudice whether it be overt; the "us against them" cross-burning, white-power kind, or the more subtle, residual type instilled by the indoctrination of earlier generations.

Never in our lifetime has it been so crucial for the survival of our way of life to let those attitudes die in the dwindling few that still cling to them. This country is at a tough juncture in time and it's darker still ahead. We do not have the luxury of the continuation of pointless hatred.

The second group of folks that might reexamine their thinking are those minorities, who feel they are being held down by the world just because they are people of color. Having said that, I'd like to congratulate every black American from every generation who fought the good fight, who persevered through all the struggles over the years, particularly in the South and in St. Augustine specifically. What a great day for you.

We salute you and celebrate with you, but now with the assent of an African-American to the office of president, it's come to pass as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., said back so many years ago: The content of one's character is truly the deciding factor of success in America. Success can be had for all who want it and are willing to work tirelessly to achieve it. Obama's election is living proof.

Now is the prime opportunity for these two groups of citizens to awaken their hearts to the ideals of multicultural unity so that the sacrifices and work to be done in the days and months ahead will surely be blessed by God.

On Jan. 20, let's all be proud to be American.

Frank Bright

St. Augustine


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