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A Friend Stopped By | 01/20/2009 1:55 pm

Margo Howard: When MLK's Dream Came True

Editor’s Note: A longtime journalist, Margo Howard went into the family business (her mother was the fabled Ann Landers) in the 1990s as Dear Prudence. Her broad experience and understanding of human nature provide answers for the troubled — and entertainment for everyone else. Click here to read her column on Yahoo! Margo will be joining us as wowOwow’s official advice columnist beginning January 29. We can’t wait!

I have nothing provocative to say today.

Watching the Inaugural coverage, I felt — surely like much of America, if not the world — suffused by a feeling of hope, possibility and promise. It was as if all the problems we face now seem manageable. The collective faith that this president can lead us into recovery is just about palpable … almost as though Barack Obama were a political placebo.

Can he ameliorate the pain? We think he can, which improves the odds. This man lets us imagine better days.

The senior news commentators said no other Inauguration in memory has had the crowds, the emotion and the tears. For the brief time the TV cameras were allowed into the luncheon, you could see the waitstaff applauding. I do not think I have ever seen anything quite like that, televised or in person. A small thing, but loaded with meaning. Anyway, isn’t it remarkable that Dr. King’s dream would become an answered prayer for much of the nation?

17 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

f p
And we’re willing to give him the time to do the work—It won’t be all accomplished in a year—maybe not in 4—but the trust is there.
By f p on 01/20/2009 1:58 pm
Deni G
I read they were 2 million people there and that they started turning away at 7:30 this morning. Yo! Frank!
By Deni G on 01/20/2009 2:15 pm
Deni G
that should read: they started turning people away at 7:30 this morning.

By Deni G on 01/20/2009 2:17 pm
f p
Yo Deni :-)
By f p on 01/20/2009 2:19 pm
Deni G
that’s yo yo , to you mister! lol!!!
By Deni G on 01/20/2009 4:56 pm
f p
Ahhhh deni—you a darlin’
By f p on 01/20/2009 6:30 pm
Elisabeth S
that was a lot of joy out there on the mall today.
By Elisabeth S on 01/20/2009 2:23 pm
Belinda Joy
Margo, You touched on the very aspect of Barack Obama’s win that I have felt people were to quick to dismiss, that being the HOPE he instills in Americans. We haven’t had that emotion in 8 long years. There have been many emotions as a nation we have experienced over the years: fear, anxiety, nervousness, anger, confusion, distrust, bewilderment, enraged…..but HOPE was not an emotion we have lived with in abundance. President Obama makes us believe we can all “Believe” again. Believe we can be more than we were and believe we can change all the things we have believed we had to live with. Now in a magical way we see we don’t have to settle, we can aspire for more. Surely that hope he gives us is worth something? I know it is to me. America would have been different as of today is McCain and Palin would have been sworn in. And my hand to God I’m not slamming them (I’m taking a day off from doing that :-) but the feelings of the crowds that gathered on the mall would not have been the same. The unity that is sweeping through every city, county and state, would not be the same. WE would not be the same. So today is a day I will cherish and remember for the rest of my life. As a Black woman I guess I am suppose to appreciate the magnitude of having a Black man as a president. But honestly I am more impressed and happy that we have someone like Barack Obama, with all his attributes leading our country. He could be lily White and I would feel the same way, and I don’t think I’m alone in that belief.
By Belinda Joy on 01/20/2009 2:36 pm
Jennifer Dooley
Beautiful….
By Jennifer Dooley on 01/20/2009 6:27 pm
Sally K
Thank you for saying it, you’ve expressed the feelings in my heart exactly He speaks to our dreams and optimism, not our fears and hates I just hope and pray that he is given the time he’ll need to turn us around.
By Sally K on 01/20/2009 7:33 pm
Brooklyn Gal
I was very impressed with an interview I saw with Lindsey Graham. He said he felt so much emotion today and that he felt the joy of the crowds as he walked to the Capitol. He also said that Republicans can’t always say No! and he hopes Cornyn doesn’t call for a voice roll call.
By Brooklyn Gal on 01/20/2009 4:08 pm
%$#@* !@&*^!!
A fabulous day…too happy for words!!
By %$#@* !@&*^!! on 01/20/2009 6:04 pm
Michele S
I have been breaking out in chills since the election! It is so amazing to live through this period of history. I see such a renewed sense of hope in this country, and I thrill to see so many shaking off the apathy and getting involved! I am excited to have a leader of our country who inspires such feelings. And as a middle-aged white lady, I am happy to have proof that you don’t have to be a rich white man to be elected to the highest office.
By Michele S on 01/20/2009 7:43 pm
Allene Swienckowski
Even though today is a truly historic day, it cannot be said that beacause an African American man took the oath of office to become president of the United States that MLK’s dream has been realized. There is much work that has to be done, by all of us; black, white, brown and yellow, before MLK’s dream can truly be realized. If it were not so, we would not still have people judged by the color of their skin rather than the content of their character. So, as it is painfully clear that we have not achieved that landmark to date in America, Dr. King’s dream became a few steps closer today but we have niles to go before we rest.
By Allene Swienckowski on 01/20/2009 9:12 pm
Lizzie R.
This is such a happy time, such a wonderful day. The enthusiasm that was shown everywhere, the happiness, the joy was so overabundant that it seemed as if it could burst into a million pieces of rapture. It was that sort of feeling. Have never felt anything like this in my long life. It was needed, and now hopefully we can advance into a more cohesive nation, united rather than divided. Let us all pray that this new president will be able to deal with all the challenges facing him.
By Lizzie R. on 01/20/2009 9:18 pm