Faith Meets Life: The beautification of America
A few teachers I spoke with early this week were looking forward to watching TV with their students during class. They asked the audio-visual folks at their schools to have the necessary equipment up and running at the appointed hour. But beyond that the preparation was minimal. However, the teachers expected a good payoff: A lively discussion with their students.
And the program? The inauguration of Barack Obama.
At this point in time, the Obama inauguration seems a strong candidate for news story of the year, and the president himself may end up with more press and video coverage than any other person on the planet in 2009.
Expectations surrounding the new president are high. They have been rising up to this very moment. One newscaster stated that his approval rating stood at a phenomenal 78 per cent. He quipped that, from there, there is nowhere to go but down.
The expectations probably are too high. Obama, even with his great power to inspire, is not likely to make the number of changes that his admirers want to see. And, to borrow from a comment shared on one CBC talk show, it is disappointing to hear him posture the United States as ready to lead in the international scene. Does the world want or need American leadership of the international scene?
But all this is not to rain on the inauguration parade. I say this because, as one of my friends observed, Americans appear to need a strong dose of self-esteem. They see their economy on the skids. They are embarrassed by President George W. Bush. (I think he became the scapegoat for the failures of the policies many Americans wanted him to put in place.) Their health care system appears crude and mercenary to the developed world. American foreign policy has created enemies all over the planet. The country is awash in a culture of excess and speculation.
No one would blame Americans for feeling a little down in the dumps. The country has a growing case of low national self-esteem.
In that context, Barack Obama has become a powerful symbol of hope. It's not just about change; it's about feeling that your national community has worth. As Jean Vanier says in his writings about living with the poor, everyone needs to be told that they are valued and that they are beautiful.
Obama tells Americans that they are valued and that they are beautiful. And this may do more to lift that country out of their doldrums than any amount of financial tinkering and military disengagement.
It is fitting and good to pray for the new American president. And maybe we could also pray for the rest of the American people — that they not only begin to see themselves as valued and beautiful because that is how God has made them, but that they are able to turn their faces towards the international community and tell all the people of the world that they too are beautiful, not valued merely because they serve American interests, but valuable enough that Americans can serve their interests.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
And the program? The inauguration of Barack Obama.
At this point in time, the Obama inauguration seems a strong candidate for news story of the year, and the president himself may end up with more press and video coverage than any other person on the planet in 2009.
Expectations surrounding the new president are high. They have been rising up to this very moment. One newscaster stated that his approval rating stood at a phenomenal 78 per cent. He quipped that, from there, there is nowhere to go but down.
The expectations probably are too high. Obama, even with his great power to inspire, is not likely to make the number of changes that his admirers want to see. And, to borrow from a comment shared on one CBC talk show, it is disappointing to hear him posture the United States as ready to lead in the international scene. Does the world want or need American leadership of the international scene?
But all this is not to rain on the inauguration parade. I say this because, as one of my friends observed, Americans appear to need a strong dose of self-esteem. They see their economy on the skids. They are embarrassed by President George W. Bush. (I think he became the scapegoat for the failures of the policies many Americans wanted him to put in place.) Their health care system appears crude and mercenary to the developed world. American foreign policy has created enemies all over the planet. The country is awash in a culture of excess and speculation.
No one would blame Americans for feeling a little down in the dumps. The country has a growing case of low national self-esteem.
In that context, Barack Obama has become a powerful symbol of hope. It's not just about change; it's about feeling that your national community has worth. As Jean Vanier says in his writings about living with the poor, everyone needs to be told that they are valued and that they are beautiful.
Obama tells Americans that they are valued and that they are beautiful. And this may do more to lift that country out of their doldrums than any amount of financial tinkering and military disengagement.
It is fitting and good to pray for the new American president. And maybe we could also pray for the rest of the American people — that they not only begin to see themselves as valued and beautiful because that is how God has made them, but that they are able to turn their faces towards the international community and tell all the people of the world that they too are beautiful, not valued merely because they serve American interests, but valuable enough that Americans can serve their interests.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
