We remember where we were and what we were doing when the news broke about the Challenger disaster and the attacks of Sept. 11.
Like many people around the world, my son, Ali Adem, and I watched the live broadcast of yet another defining moment in American history -- the swearing in of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States. For those of us who grew up during the turbulent times of the Civil Rights Movement in America, this ceremony was a momentous and moving event to witness.
There were parties in homes and public places that night throughout İstanbul to celebrate this momentous moment in time, but I chose to stay home and share the spectacle with my son instead. For me, this was a very special and moving event, and I wanted to witness history being made while curled up on the sofa with my son by my side. Hugging Ali Adem close, I freely wept with joy as citizens in my home country proved that together we have the courage to change.
When Aretha Franklin began singing “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” in her rich, vibrant voice, I remembered the words spoken just 46 years earlier by Dr. King on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, just a short walk across the National Mall in Washington, D.C. “This will be the day when all of God’s children will be able to sing with a new meaning, ‘My country, ‘tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim’s pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring’.”
In typical Washington style, the ceremony ran a little behind schedule, but at exactly noon on Jan. 20, Obama officially became the new president, even though he had not yet been sworn into office. My cell phone beeped constantly with incoming and outgoing messages as friends and I text messaged each other to celebrate the fact that our homeland now had a new administration. By the time the actual oath of office was administered, I was not just sitting with tears streaming down my face, but sobbing with relief and hugging Ali Adem.
As an expat, I feel it is particularly important to ensure that my son knows the history of both countries he holds citizenship with. Turkish history is covered extensively at his school, but it is up to me to teach him about America’s past and its future. He has begun learning about the struggles our country has gone through since before its founding. We talk about the good and bad events that have all made America what it is today. From living and traveling abroad all of his life, he knows that during the recent administration America and Americans were often not looked upon kindly. However, he also knows that following the election of Obama as president, there was a chance for America to redeem itself in the eyes of the world. “Now that America has a new president, does this mean no one will attack the American Consulate here again?” he asked as we cuddled together watching the inaugural ceremony. “Let’s hope so” was all I could tell him.
Change will not come quickly and patience will be required of us all. The world will closely monitor President Obama’s efforts to follow through on his campaign promises. His honeymoon period will be brief as he grapples with the numerous national and international problems that he has inherited. The past cannot be undone by simply electing a new administration. However, for the first time in many years, Americans have hope that much needed changes can and will be made.
Even though Ali Adem does not yet understand just how powerful the inaugural ceremony that we watched together was, I hope that it will be one of those events that he will look back on later in life and say, “I remember exactly where I was at that moment in time.” I also hope that he will be able to look back and see the United States changing course to make his world a better place for not just a few chosen elite, but for all. For me, this was a momentous occasion, and I am grateful that I was able to share it with my son.
Send comments and questions to k.hamilton@todayszaman.com
