Today’s video of the day is “Cool” by Anthony Hamilton featuring David Banner. This is my JAMMMMMMMMMMMM!

Yesterday, millions of people descended upon the mall in Washington, and hundreds of millions more watched on television, to watch one of the most significant moments in American history. Barack Hussein Obama, a black man, became the 44th president of the United States of America. As significant as this moment was for its own sake, it also speaks to a bigger moment in American life: our country is not only growing old. It just might be growing up. As President Obama mentioned in his inaugural address, it was only a few decades ago that the idea of a black president was not only unlikely, but laughable. Today, our children will be born into a world where the image of a black president is not only realistic, but immediate.

In order to fully appreciate yesterday’s events, we must take full account of our nation’s deep and often dark history. The historic transfer of power that took place was merely cosigned with a pen’s ink. More importantly, it was written in the blood of legions of nameless and faceless freedom fighters who gave their lives to bring forth a world that they would never see. To ignore the significance of such a moment would not only be cynical, but disrespectful.

Still, as we celebrate this watershed moment. It is important that we not become too self-satisfied, too pleased with our collective maturity. Indeed, it is one thing for a nation to finally accept that a black man can represent its interests. It is another thing entirely to question the nature of those interests. After all, the working poor will be no happier to know that a black man is undermining their prosperity. Gays and lesbians will see no moral victory in having their civil rights stripped away by fellow minority. Continental Africans will find no solace in the fact that one of their sons is aiding and abetting its exploitation. For America to truly mature, we must not only acknowledge its bright light, we must also come to terms with its dark underside.. Militarism, violence, consumerism, homophobia, patriarchy, anti-intellectualism, and countless other hallmarks of the American empire must die in order for a new, more mature America to be born. Otherwise, we have done nothing more than put a slave in charge of the plantation.

Of course, the responsibility of seizing this pregnant moment does not start and end with President Obama. As Reverend Jesse Jackson aptly stated, yesterday’s inauguration was merely the wedding; the marriage begins today. To keep this marriage healthy and happy, we must commit ourselves to its continued growth and development. This means pushing Obama to become the leader that he can be by being the citizens that we must be. This requires being just as critical of our new president as we were with his predecessor. This demands that we not retreat to the political sidelines until the next presidential election. To do so would be to squander one of the greatest opportunities that our nation has ever had. While I am not optimistic, I remain a prisoner of hope. Not in President Obama. But in our collective ability to not only grow old, but grow up.

Democrats In Control

For the first time in 14 years, the Democrats have control of the White House and both houses of Congress. What do you think?

Pete Rego,
Options Specialist
“Those spend-happy Democrats are going to ruin this small-government, fiscally conservative utopia that Bush spent eight years crafting.”

Susan Gibson,
Program Assistant
“I’ve purposely avoided upward mobility and social progress for 20 years so I can benefit from all the free money I’ll be getting.”

Richard Feyen,
Personal Banker
“Hooray! Hopefully they will clean up our world image, make the environment okay, and perfect our public schools by February. Then we can get some real work done!”

Today’s video of the day shows Barack and Michelle Obama taking their first dance at the inaugural ball.