Robinson's prayer and Obama's speech

I know there is controversy surrounding Obama's choice for the minister who will offer the inaugural prayer. I also know that his decision to ask Gene Robinson, the Episcopal Bishop who identifies as a gay man, to pray at the opening event tonight was likely a political move, perhaps even a way to appease the GLBT people who were angered by what they perceived as an insensitive move. Admittedly, I've been a bit bitter about this decision--I love Robinson, but I also hate for a member of the GLBT community to be used in this way, as a public appeasement for the liberals who feel slighted. And now, the controversy continues; some stations did not run the prayer, starting their coverage after its offering. I'm not going to jump quickly to assume that this was purposeful, but it is too bad...because, now that I have read Robinson's words, I think they are words all of us need to hear.

I felt proud to be a Christian, a feeling that is rarer and rarer these days. Robinson's words were strong--a call for all of us to feel the sorrow and anger and discomfort we ought to feel at all the suffering in the world, a call for us not to ask too much of Obama, a prayer for his safety, for balance, for hope.

Later, Obama spoke of the importance of stamping out oppression. He mentioned GLBT people and people with disabilities, two groups that rarely get mentioned in the "list" of the oppressed by politicians. He talked honestly about what is wrong and how long it will likely take to turn things around.

I feel so hopeful today. I never thought I'd see the day when a gay man would give the opening prayer at an inaugural event or an African-American president-elect would mention GLBT people in his speech. (Seeing Bruce Springsteen on stage also never hurts)!

I am also proud today to be an American--a feeling that, again, has become rarer and rarer. I wish I could be there to be a part of the festivities as I was in 1994 for Clinton's first inauguration. I will try to be satisfied with watching bits and pieces of the festivities online, and praying that Obama can, in his first year as president, at the very least, change the way we talk about what it means to be an American. This seems like such a small thing to ask, but it could be the first step to so many big changes.

As I said, I am hopeful. Although I don't have a T.V., I'll be watching online!

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