Reflecting on history

There is something undeniably grand about the American political process with all the bright lights, big speeches and even bigger personalities. Never is it more on show than at a Presidential Inauguration, particularly when it involves one of the most groundbreaking political figures in America’s rich history, the recently re-elected Barack Obama.

I was honoured to represent the University of Melbourne and Australia at the Collegiate Presidential Inaugural Conference (from 19 to 23 January) and attend President Obama’s Second Inauguration, standing among approximately a million other people bearing witness to history on a cold Washington morning. While listening to the President’s address and the celebrations surrounding it, I was struck by the togetherness of the crowd and my fellow conference delegates, who’d come together across partisan divides to celebrate the solemn power of the democratic process. And while such unity may be only fleeting it still instils confidence in the world’s most powerful democracy.

For me this has been just one of the key moments of my passion for America and its politics. From being inspired by candidate Obama during the 2008 election to then attending his historic First Inauguration in 2009 as part of another conference, I have always been intrigued by the President and the complicated political process that surrounds him; particularly as they serve as such a strong contrast to the Australian civic experience. While we continually bemoan the lacklustre quality of our political debate and those conducting it, in the United States, especially heading into the President’s second term, the big issues are at stake; namely gun control, immigration and, surprisingly, climate change, as the President enumerated in his Inaugural Address.

What was clear to me from having attended both Inaugurations of President Obama is that he is a changed man leading an ever-changing America. Hardened by the political battles of the last four years and now released from the burdens of re-election the President made a call to arms for the key debates of the next four years. For those of us who were attending the celebrations as foreigners, it was particularly pleasing to hear of the President’s global outlook, mindful of the awesome power at the hand of the United States to influence events around the world. What he can achieve in his second term, however, is predicated on his ability to manoeuvre through a potentially unfriendly Congress; an ever-present reminder that no matter how much faith we around the world invest in the man, he is still constrained by the system he operates in.

Concurrently at the conference, I was privileged to deliver the thank-you address to Reverend Jesse Jackson’s keynote speech, one that also appealed to our collaborative and compassionate nature for others; in a similar vein to the President’s address.

As I left Washington reflecting upon the history of having attended both of Barack Obama’s Inaugurations I was struck by the limitless capacity for the people of the world to achieve great things on immense scales when differences are put aside and common ground is built upon. It’s through such a process Barack Obama is where he is today and is one we should strive to achieve in all walks of life.

/ www.inauguralscholar.com/collegiate/

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