Inauguration 2017 - Thank you Obamas, Best Wishes to the Trumps

Eight years ago for President Obama's first Inauguration, I was a mother of a two year old son, a first year doctoral student and really inspired by the atmosphere of positivity and hope surrounding the installation of the United States First Black President. I wrote a blog entry telling of my hopeful but tempered expectations based on my belief of the readiness of the USA for change, and looking back now I'm glad I did. I was excited that my son's frame of reference as to who can be president was broadened, I was excited that he at two had some idea of the process for the highest office in the land, but I was also realistic enough to expect that reality and idealism would be different four or eight years down the line.

For a quick reference see that post http://afihtansworld.blogspot.com/2009/01/what-obamas-inauguration-means-to-me.html

Fast forward now to 2017, we are facing yet another momentous inauguration of President Trump. Regardless of your support for, or object to to him as leader of the US, we have seen the election process fulfilled and we now owe him the support as have deserved all from Washington to Obama. For this inauguration, the charge in the atmosphere is definitely much more mixed.

Personally, I am now the mother of three, my son is now ten, and my twin daughters are six. My emotions regarding this election are likewise different. The experience leading up to and even since the actual election on November 8, 2016 are definitely ones for the history books and the myriad of reasons span both positive and negative. For the first time, the general election featured a Woman who not only had decades of experience in the political area, but who was herself an inhabitant of the White House for a previous eight as First lady. She was poised against a Billionaire international businessman with no formal political expertise, but worldwide name recognition and economic impact.

Positively, this was great for Woman Empowerment and Equality, as well as bucking of the stereotypical paths to such an office. For many Washington D.C has become over the years a stagnant cesspool of status quo and either outcome of the election would have been a shock to this. My daughters think nothing of aiming to be President one day, nor does my son, though they are the minority offspring of immigrants.

Negatively however, it was saddening to see the reduction of one of the greatest processes of this country to circus level theatrics by many including the media, self serving supporters and dissidents, and sometimes the candidates themselves. While I am overjoyed that the "I can be anything message" is now a matter of normalcy to them, I cringe at some of the disgusting behavior they were exposed to from adults with positions of authority and power. Protest is encouraged and permitted in the political process, but personal attack and disrespect should never be. A process has spoken, there is a time to accept and move on. Shouts of "not my president" and others do nothing to help the cause.

Additionally, This will be the fourth consecutive presidency since Bill Clinton where the white house was also the coming of age stage for the children of our Commander in Chief. Granted the Bush twins Barbara and Jenna were already in college, by the time their Father became president, but they were still defining their identities as young adults and have the exploited college indiscretion media attacks to prove it. Them aside, we did see little Chelsea Clinton grow up, and the adorable pigtailed Malia and Sasha Obama mature into poised young ladies as they prepare to leave, and we are about to welcome young Baron Trump on his journey.

Children are always beacons of hope, and I hope for their sake that the experience remains a pleasantly growing one no matter the President in power.

Thank you for a wonder eight years President Barack Obama. First Lady Michelle Obama, and First Daughters Malia and Sasha.

Best wishes to incoming President Donald Trump and his family.

(c) Nathifa Lewis