LIFE IN A MICROCOSM

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Shared & United In Watching
the Inauguration of Obama

"Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - honesty and hard work, courage and fair play, tolerance and
curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true.
They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history.
What is demanded then is a return to these truths.ˇ¨ ˇV President Obama

By Jade LAW (Residence Tutor, HSBC Prosperity Hall)

It was just past midnight, marking the beginning of a new day in Hong Kong. On the other side of the world, it was still January 20, 2009, and an important event was about to begin. Slowly, Multi-function Hall A at the CityU Student Residence was filling up with more than 100 students. Some came in on their own, while others came in small groups. One student even brought a large American flag. All came to bear witness to one of the most historical events of our generation, the inauguration of Barack Obama as the President of the United States of America.

Many of us know that the new President faces difficult issues and circumstances. But that didnˇ¦t take away the worldwide popularity of Barack Obama, and the ceremony that we were about to witness. Around 12:45AM on the morning of January 21, 2009, Hong Kong time, all seats were filled with students, with some standing, watching and waiting in anticipation. As an American, I, too, was excited and understood that soon, the US was about to enter a new era. At 1:05AM, Barack Obama was sworn in as the new President of the United States. It would be an understatement to say that Barack Obamaˇ¦s election and inauguration were just momentous. In many ways, the inauguration brought together people from all over the world. It wasnˇ¦t just the Americans who watched the inauguration in Multi-function Hall A, but also students from Hong Kong, the Mainland, and overseas. We all watched, along with the rest of the world, as Barack Obama recited the 35 word statement that formally made him President. Upon taking his oath, all the students in the hall clapped, some even cheered.

What followed was President Obamaˇ¦s inaugural speech. It addressed a number of issues that many are all too familiar with, the state of the economy and various tensions around the world. Yet, as everyone listened intently, the promise of a better future through hard work was something that many people understood. The difficulties that the new President faces make it indeed one of the hardest, if not the hardest, and most difficult jobs in the world. By eveningˇ¦s end, the students shuffled out of Multi-function Hall A, back to their respective lives. But for a brief moment, we all shared and were united in watching history in the making.

A great deal has been said about Barack Obama being the President of the United States. His multicultural background, his youth, and his experience, were laid out for the world to see. On November 4, 2008,