Obligatory inauguration post

[norwich36]

I was watching the inauguration with about 150 people from work, so I was trying *not* to break down sobbing with happiness the way I did on election night, but it was very challenging during several moments of Obama's speech. I thought I was safe, though, until the closing benediction; when Rev. Lowery got to "Justice shall flow like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream" (which I realize is a biblical quote, but also one MLK Jr. used a lot in his speeches--and of course Rev. Lowery cofounded the SCLC with King), I couldn't keep the floodgates closed. Though I was far from the only person crying.

I already feel like we've entered a new era. I think this strange new feeling is called "hope."

Comments

[latxcvi.livejournal.com]

*nod* I couldn't stop tearing up, Nora. And man, I loved that benediction.

[norwich36.livejournal.com]

Seriously, I felt like Obama's inaugural address was the best political speech I've ever heard. And I hadn't actually looked up the lineup of speakers or anything, and so when I heard Lowery introduced it just hammered home again how profoundly this day symbolized everything the civil rights movement worked for--and then, damn, I am a complete sucker for good preaching (and so rarely hear it) so I was completely overcome.