I just stopped by Kevin’s Civil War Memory blog, and, in today’s post, with so little, he says so much. With only one word and a few images, he has put meaning to it all by posting them at the present time. Words and imagery in context = meaning as defined by the user/viewer. An excellent post for reflection, not to mention, an excellent tool for classroom discussion.
No matter what some may think, it is electrifying to see how far we have come… and it is an interesting time in which to live as an historian. It is even more electrifying considering both the significance of today and what happens tomorrow. The two days being so close to each other seems quite incredible. It cannot be stated enough how significant tomorrow is in the history of this nation.
Kevin
January 19, 2009
Thanks for the kind words and for linking to the post. Enjoy the next few days.
cenantua
January 19, 2009
You too, Kevin. All things considered, we have much to consider in the coming years in regard to memory of the Civil War.
Marc Ferguson
January 19, 2009
Robert,
you wrote: “It is even more electrifying considering both the significance of today and what happens tomorrow. The two days being so close to each other seems quite incredible.”
Not to mention this occurring during the bicentennial of Lincoln’s birth.
best,
Marc
cenantua
January 19, 2009
Marc,
You are absolutely correct. I should have mentioned that as well. Talk about putting it all into context! Thanks!
Michael Aubrecht
January 19, 2009
Robert, another historian here in town posed a very thought provoking statement in an email and I wanted to get your take on it. (And it is by no means a slight at the president-elect)
He says how ironic that Martin Luther King said that a man should not be judged not by the color of his skin, but by the content of his character – yet the majority of the historic acknowledgement over this event is the fact that Barack Obama is the first African-American President being sworn in. In other words, this inauguration is not epic because a Democrat won, it is being celebrated on this scale because a black man won. If you step back and think about, it is quite poignant. If John McCain had won there would not be anywhere near this level of commemoration.
cenantua
January 19, 2009
Michael,
Hmm, without making specific reference to my registered party, maybe I should first state that I do not vote according to my registered party. I vote based on the character of the person. This does not fluctuate based on the race of the person.
That said… I can’t speak for everyone, but personally, my first perception of Obama is based on what I see in the content of his character. I also can’t help but feel the charisma that he brings with that character. Without interjecting personal political beliefs (because this is not at all within the boundaries of the theme of my blog), I look forward to his service as our president, not because of his race, but because I think he can offer something that we haven’t seen for a while. I put my trust and hope in him, as we should with all of our presidents. That’s all we can do, especially after the votes are counted. I don’t like the thought that people enter into this presidency naysaying from the get-go. We can only hope he helps us through these times with the application of policies, but we have to help him and us through our actions. That is where the naysayers, no matter the president, prevent progress as a people. Just my opinion. He won’t please everyone, but we hope that his actions will prove to our general satisfaction. Personally, I feel confident, but, no it won’t be easy. That said, however, I am also thrilled at the fact that his being elected is an amazing benchmark in our history, and hopefully reflective of our advances as a society. Perhaps we are closer to looking at a person for his character first, but we cannot diminish the importance of the fact that Obama is not our standard issue caucasian president. I believe we have not yet arrived at the “Dream,” but certainly we have made a major move in that direction. We should celebrate this. Sorry for rambling… but consider it an open-book flow of consciousness :-)
For anyone wanting to take this into further discussion of politics, political leanings, etc., let me say that this is all I’m going to say. No political opinions will be permitted as comments here.
Thanks, however for the comment, Michael. I don’t think your question necessarily has to lead to discussions over politics or disagreements about politics.
Michael Aubrecht
January 19, 2009
The meaning of that quoted statement above of course (as I forgot to add) is that the epic scale and commemoration of this historic celebration is due to the color of his skin – not the content of his character (which has yet be judged after his presidency).
Michael Aubrecht
January 19, 2009
Well said, and like I said, I don’t take that as a slight of the man. It is ironic though if you step back and think about it. I’ll be anxious to see if this editorial’s author gets any feedback.
Kevin
January 19, 2009
Well said Robert. King’s philosophy centered around the hope that one day we would ceased reducing others to race and/or gender and that we would be judged by our character and actions. Acknowledging and celebrating Obama’s race is in no way a contradiction of King, but an acknowledgment that we can, as a people, move beyond a history that is steeped in race and discrimination. We should indeed celebrate.
After tomorrow he will be judged for his decisions and policies – just like every other individual who has held the office.