I am proud to call myself an American. I believe each generation will only be granted a select few opportunities to witness history achieved and I was fortunate enough to witness a historic first for our nation. One day the election of a member of any minority group (Jewish, female, gay, and the list, like the beat, goes on…) will not merit aplomb or praise, but until that day comes, I have reason to celebrate the progress of my nation. I was fortunate enough to celebrate this progress with almost 2 million other Americans at the 56th Presidential Inauguration of our 44th President, Barack Obama (although only 43 presidents actually took office… ole comeback kid, Grover Cleveland). While it was hard for me to actually miss two days of work (yes, I know you already know what a workaholic I am), I would not have traded the experience for anything else in the world (well, maybe an undisclosed amount of money).
President Obama represents not only the American dream, but the American identity in the 21st century. James Truslow Adams, who coined the term the American dream, defined the concept as “that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.” Hawaiian born, biracial, with an eclectic religious belief system, Barack Obama embodies the idea that with hard work and vision, a better, richer, and fuller life is achievable.
This can be said for not only President Obama, but can be said for each us. President Obama is just like you. No, really. He really is like you.
Like you, his parents divorced and his mother remarried and neither of his parents did a great job of being parents. Like you, his grandparents were instrumental in his life, and like you, he experimented with drugs and alcohol. Like you, he did not originally go to one of America’s top colleges (or the top college in his state, for that matter) and after graduating from college, he did not go directly to graduate school. Instead, he made education and service a priority and found his voice as an advocate for the disadvantaged and disenfranchised.
President Obama proves that background and family history don’t determine your lot in life. He proves that you can come from very humble beginnings and not only aspire to greatness, but achieve it nonetheless.
Like many Americans, I am proud to call myself an American. And like many Americans, I have hope that American tomorrow will finally start being better than America today.
-Until Michelle is named as one of Vogue's Best Dressed,
I'm Just Zack
President Obama represents not only the American dream, but the American identity in the 21st century. James Truslow Adams, who coined the term the American dream, defined the concept as “that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.” Hawaiian born, biracial, with an eclectic religious belief system, Barack Obama embodies the idea that with hard work and vision, a better, richer, and fuller life is achievable.
This can be said for not only President Obama, but can be said for each us. President Obama is just like you. No, really. He really is like you.
Like you, his parents divorced and his mother remarried and neither of his parents did a great job of being parents. Like you, his grandparents were instrumental in his life, and like you, he experimented with drugs and alcohol. Like you, he did not originally go to one of America’s top colleges (or the top college in his state, for that matter) and after graduating from college, he did not go directly to graduate school. Instead, he made education and service a priority and found his voice as an advocate for the disadvantaged and disenfranchised.
President Obama proves that background and family history don’t determine your lot in life. He proves that you can come from very humble beginnings and not only aspire to greatness, but achieve it nonetheless.
Like many Americans, I am proud to call myself an American. And like many Americans, I have hope that American tomorrow will finally start being better than America today.
-Until Michelle is named as one of Vogue's Best Dressed,
I'm Just Zack
