Joe Turnham: America still a beacon of hope to a weary world

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The kindness and civility exemplified by the 1.5 million people (comparable to all of South Alabama packing the expanded campus-wide tailgating area of an Auburn football game) this past week for the inaugural of a new President and Vice-President inspired me to renewed and greater hope for my country.

The gravity of this moment in our history became palpable as the clock on Tuesday ticked closer to that actual time that Barack Obama would raise his right hand and take the oath as America’s first African-American president.

The faces and emotions of the thousands of people I personally witnessed up close, shined bright with pride and hope as they themselves had become the embodiment of an anxious and hopeful nation.

I paused at several junctures on Tuesday morning to wonder if I would ever find my reserved orange folding seat in Section 16 on the Capitol ground complex. I braved each new line and moving wave of humanity along my own seven-mile, three-hour foot-journey. My own determination grew as I drew closer to the sounds and time of American history in the making.

As I heard the sirens of the motorcade carrying George W. Bush and Obama make its way onto the Capitol Complex, I stood humbled at the American practice and model for the peaceful transition of power.

I watched as former presidents and vice-presidents of both parties were announced and walked to their seats. Each of them too had experienced their own brief moment of power and pageantry. Yet, it reminded me poignantly of how fleeting time and power can be.

Obama’s family was seated first and then the president-elect. The crowd erupted with his every small movement. Moments later, the outburst and fanfare was unforgettable as he said: “So help me God,” and became our nation’s 44th president.

His speech was somber, serious but set forth promising challenges to us all about the responsibilities each of us must bear as citizens in order to meet the challenges of our own time.

Obama’s presence at the oath also reminded me of Alabama’s unique role in civil and voting rights in our nation’s history. Both our failures and success helped pave the way for him being able to take this oath on this day. Many Alabamians on hand for the event have played key supporting roles in this history and should claim success for this moment. From the Tuskegee Airmen, to civil rights leaders, to Obama youth and college students: each of you was on the stage this special day.

My own mind and heart is humbled by the extreme circumstances and issues this young president must face. He has been dealt a mighty hand to play. But with the sense of faith, hope, strength and courage displayed by our new president and those in attendance at the inauguration this past week in Washington, I have confidence that America will not only prevail and prosper in this, our time of challenge, but that America will continue to be the beacon of hope for a weary world.

Joe Turnham lives in Auburn and is Chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party.