Yes We Can! | Teen Ink

Yes We Can!

March 26, 2009
By Jasmine Sawyer BRONZE, Stone Mountain, Georgia
Jasmine Sawyer BRONZE, Stone Mountain, Georgia
1 article 0 photos 0 comments

There I sat, in my dorm’s crowded lobby, with my eyes fixed to the big screen TV. I joined my peers and the rest of the world, as we witnessed history in the making. I felt as if my heart would burst from the pride of this moment. The 44th President of The United States of America, Barak Obama, was delivering his Inauguration speech. Forty years ago, Dr. King stood on the very same steps delivering his famous “I Have a Dream" speech, and the world was also tuned in to that historic day. In the midst of all of my pride and glory, a voice from the back of the room bluntly stated, “It’s only a matter of time before he's either assassinated or screws everything up." Just for a moment, I felt an overwhelming feeling of defeat. It is sad to know there is still a small portion of this nation that holds a pessimistic attitude towards our commander-in-chief and the state that our country is in.
The time is here and the time is now for all mankind to unite. Our nation is strong but we can be stronger. This greater power lies in agreement, not conflict. This nation has always been made of a string of different ethnicities, backgrounds, and religions. The great factor about our diversity is that even in the midst of our differences, we still stand united. We can celebrate our differences and yet still join together to accomplish much.
Even if I have to stand alone, I proudly stand in support of our President Obama. Obama’s campaign slogan set the ground perfectly for the journey that awaits us… Yes We Can!
These words have now released the world to walk in freedom, victory, and unity.

Yes we can improve our nation’s economy.
Yes we can turn the education system around.
Yes we can conquer terrorism.
Yes we can overcome racism.
Yes we can create global peace.
Yes we can establish and maintain a healthier environment.
Yes we can guarantee Americans stable jobs.
Yes we can stand stronger than ever in the midst of global chaos.
Yes we can unite as one nation.
Yes we can overcome anything we set our mind to.
Yes We Can!
The only thing we can’t do is force you to join us.

Will you join me? Will you join the world? Will you join this global command to once and for all overcome that which has divided us? Yes, one person can make a difference, but a people can make a change. It is my prayer that this spirit become contagious and overtake every man, woman, boy and girl.
“Life at its best is a creative synthesis of opposites in fruitful harmony”
-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.



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This article has 5 comments.


on Apr. 14 2009 at 10:09 pm
Vexa_Rave SILVER, Mt. Clare, West Virginia
9 articles 0 photos 57 comments
i agree with you totally... we can change everything. and it bugs me that people act like that just because his skin is darker, he's gonna get shot. come on, people. Abe Lincoln was shot. John F. Kennedy was shot. did anyone expect THAT? no. but i agree that we should put aside our differences and work together to fix everything. i'm glad you're optimistic. ^_^

Sunshineyday said...
on Apr. 9 2009 at 1:32 am
I used to be very enthusiastic about Obama when he was still a candidate, but now that he has secured his spot as President, I don't feel as excited. I don't think we need to stir people up about the President of the U.S, what he does will make people like or dislike him, I DO think people should get stirred up about progress and peace.

on Apr. 6 2009 at 9:14 pm
Laurennnn PLATINUM, Sadieville, Kentucky
31 articles 9 photos 31 comments

Favorite Quote:
"To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people merely exist, that is all." -Oscar Wilde

i dont care if hes black or white. hes our president and if he screws up its not because hes black. bush screwed up, but thats not because hes white. and just because obama is black doesnt mean he can fix anything. hes just another president. get over him.

on Apr. 3 2009 at 5:45 pm
Mandiella DIAMOND, Plaistow, New Hampshire
73 articles 58 photos 349 comments

Favorite Quote:
Don't waste time. Start procrastinating now.

I don't get why everyone is so excited about the first black president. Obama is no different than any other president. His skin is just darker.

on Apr. 1 2009 at 9:57 pm
DinosoarJen DIAMOND, Scottsville, New York
86 articles 0 photos 82 comments

Favorite Quote:
Just another casualty.
It's sad but true.
And even dead I'm still ahead
of most of you.

To me, I don't understand this fight sometimes. If everyone is supposed to be equal, why make such a huge deal over a black present, even the first one? I know this might sound naive to you, or maybe a little dumb. I understand that he's the FIRST and it's HISTORY, but there hasn't been a massive uproar about the length of white presidents. It's the way they run our country. What kind of person they are. You should focus and listen to what Obama says and not what he looks like. That's what "us white folks" have been told to do for, how long? When I first heard of Obama, it actually didn't register in my head that he was black. I just listened to him and liked what he was saying. So why should it matter at all? Ever? If we're supposed to be EQUAL. I just don't understand sometimes. Some black girls in my school just liked him because he was black. And that's not racist?