Today, with the
inauguration of President Barack Obama, we entered a new era in American
history. We face many challenges, but that’s nothing new. What’s new is the generation,
race, and outlook of our new leader.
When he spoke, hope resounded from the Capitol to the Lincoln Monument today, and all around the world.
Sixty years ago today the inauguration of President Harry Truman also marked a new period. The high school graduate, machine politician, and student of history had already made visionary decisions, including dropping a bomb terrible beyond imagination, desegregating the armed services, and initiating the Marshall Plan (officially known as the European Recovery Plan).
I can’t say I
remember the speech given January 20, 1949. We didn’t have a radio at the
school to listen to the speech or a television at home to watch the first
inauguration ever televised. Reading about Truman’s administration now, I can
see actions that helped lead us, three generations later, to the election of a
man elected because of the content of his character rather than the color of
his skin.
Some of what the
blunt and belligerent Truman, one of our most effective
presidents, had to say was echoed in content three
generations later by the eloquent and cool Obama.
Here’s a bit of
what Truman said.
“Each period of our national history has had its special challenges. Those that confront us now are as momentous as any in the past. Today marks the beginning not only of a new administration, but of a period that will be eventful, perhaps decisive, for us and for the world.
“It may be our lot to experience, and in a large measure bring about, a major turning point in the long history of the human race. The first half of this century has been marked by unprecedented and brutal attacks on the rights of man, and by the two most frightful wars in history. The supreme need of our time is for men to learn to live together in peace and harmony.
“The peoples of the earth face the future with grave uncertainty, composed almost equally of great hopes and great fears. In this time of doubt, they look to the United States as never before for good will, strength, and wise leadership.”
Plain Harry and exotic
Barack—so different and so alike.
—Carolyn Mulford
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