Posted by JumpyPants
Of the many, many remarkable themes President Obama spoke of yesterday, one that has been little-remarked upon by the Extremely Serious and Knowledgeable Televisual Punditry is the fact that he is now, at this moment, the world’s most powerful advocate for peace.
Let’s start with the opening line, shall we?
My fellow citizens:
How is this about peace? Because he is addressing every one, regardless of their allegiance to a nation-state. This is, from the first three words, an address to the world, and it is coming from a citizen of the world. This was not an address simply to his “fellow Americans,” nor will, it is clear, he be a leader who simply talks to Americans. This doesn’t mean he isn’t already working for Americans, but he is wise enough to know that he will work best for us by working for the big us which includes the people formerly known as them.
This recalls a line from the previous day’s festivities, when the then President-Elect praised his supporters for being able to “see each other in ourselves.”
Skipping ahead:
We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.
This man’s objective is nothing short of a new era of peace, not one dictated simply by treaties made between leaders, but one forged by the billions of fellow citizens who walk this planet together, a peace made first in the hearts of every human being who can see themselves in each other, and who can recognize that the way forward is hand-in-hand.
