The political future of the United States is about forward movement. Fuelled by the romantic discourse of American patriotism and a progressive vision for the direction forward, incumbent President Barack Obama acknowledged that his job remained incomplete, and set out ambitious goals for the second term of his presidency in an audacious public inauguration speech that presents considerable challenges to the nation’s conservatives.
1. Obama quoted Thomas Jefferson’s prelude to the American Declaration of Independence as his opening statement, a text that was also referenced by Martin Luther King Jr in his powerful “I Have A Dream” speech:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
For Obama this was an appropriate precursor to many of his following agenda items which focused on strengthening diplomacy and unity at home. Which leads on the the next notable moment…
2. He put Gay Rights on the nation’s political agenda. In an historic moment for civil rights, Obama became the first president to use the word “gay” in an inauguration address when he stated, “…our journey is not complete until our wives, our mothers and daughters can earn a living equal to their efforts. Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law – for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well.”
3. Beyonce. Hair flipping larynx from heaven, Beyonce Knowles, sung “The Star Spangled Banner” with excellent hand gestures and occasion-appropriate toning down of her rampant sexiness. She performed at Barack Obama’s personal behest and not the other way around.
4. Immigration Reform. Obama acknowledged the unfulfilled pledge for Immigration reform from his 2008 presidential campaign. During his first term as Prez he abandoned the promise, but today he returned to America’s presently-fucked immigration policy, noting the issue (albeit pretty vaguely) in the speech. He said:
“Our journey is not complete until we find a better way to welcome the striving, hopeful immigrants who still see America as a land of opportunity; until bright young students and engineers are enlisted in our workforce rather than expelled from our country.”
5. Climate Change. Obama re-upped on his failed first term promise to address climate change, announcing: “We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations.”
6. What Michelle Obama wore. Very important detail of the proceedings. She selected custom Thom Brown and J. Crew heels for the ceremony, and this Jason Wu gown for the Inaugural Ball:
7. He vaguely alluded to Gun Control. Without actually using the words “gun control” or even dropping the G-word – a predictable omission, albeit a disappointment nonetheless – Obama did make reference to the Sandy Hook massacre in Connecticut suburb Newtown with the line, “all our children, from the streets of Detroit to the hills of Appalachia, to the quiet lanes of Newtown…”
Watch the President Obama’s Inauguration Speech in its entirety now:
Photo by Jewel Samad for AFP via Getty Images.
