In the Beginning

Two momentous events occurred this past Tuesday. At noon Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th president of the United States and at 4:30, I officially began my research on communication strategies of social movements.

Okay, so one of those events may have been slightly more momentous than the other, but it was exciting to begin my research on such an auspicious day. The energy and excitement in the air was palpable. Everywhere I went - from work, to school, to walking down the street - everyone was unabashedly happy and proud and relieved.

Obama may not have miraculously cured all the worlds ills the moment he took office, but there was an undeniable sense that things would just be better now. The future seemed less daunting, the economy seemed less oppressive, and for the first time in a long time, the concept of hope seemed less cliched.

On a personal note, the synergy of Martin Luther King Day and the inauguration seemed ideal for beginning my research. Social movements are long and painful processes, and victories are often few and far between. Furthermore, a sense that only so much change can be accomplished at a time often brings simultaneous movements at odds with each other. But Obama's inauguration was profoundly important as a victory for social movements everywhere.

In the 1800's, abolitionists and suffragettes often worked together, strengthening both their causes and moving towards common goals. However, shortly before the 15th Amendment, guaranteeing the right to vote regardless of "race, color, or previous condition of servitude," was ratified in 1870, their coalition was torn apart.

Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and other prominent feminist leaders lobbied against the amendment, concerned that woman's suffrage would become an even longer struggle if the amendment passed. And while their concerns were well founded - women didn't get the right to vote until the 19th Amendment, 50 years later - feminists' racist rhetoric coupled with the feeling of being totally burned, built lasting resentment between both movements.

During the primaries, it looked like the whole black men v. white women battle was going to take place all over again. Obama v. Hillary was poised to cause a lasting a bitter divide echoing that which happened over a hundred years ago.

And yet, it did not happen.

Think back to what the atmosphere was like around the time of the Democratic convention. Clinton supporters were angry and upset and often said they would not vote for Obama in the general election. But by 12 o'clock on Tuesday, January 20th, that anger and divisiveness was gone.

Obama has already been able to accomplish something miraculous with his presidency. He brought us all together as Americans to work together towards a better tomorrow. Obama's inauguration was not just a victory for black men. It was a victory for all of us. A victory that tells us that who ever you are - regardless of race, gender, orientation, beliefs, or economics - you can be yourself and you will be accepted.

And you can work to make your voice be heard. And you can have the difficult conversations. And you can struggle to see your issues at the forefront of change. And throughout it all, you will be surrounded by your fellow Americans. All with different histories and different beliefs and different causes, but all working together to make the world a better place.