Post-Inauguration speech reflection. My U.S. Government class enjoyed, for the most part, the Inauguration. I wasn’t sure I wanted to spend the entire class (95 minutes) on the ceremony, but it worked out well. They didn’t get to see all of it, but did see most of it as well as Obama’s speech.
Not surprisingly, it was the first time most (29 out of 32) had ever seen a live Inauguration. During the pre-Inauguration lead up, from 9:15 to 9:45 or so our time, we had several discussions. Among them:
We talked about the unprecedented peaceful transition of power we have had as a country. We talked a little bit about Europe and Asia, my students were able to bring up several coups and bloody revolutions.
My students were amazed by the number of celebrities, I was not but I follow the news more than they do.
Several times students noted the diversity of the crowd and the black faces filled with joy. I have not a black student in any of my classes. This lead nicely into frank discussions about politics and race. What did Obama’s election mean for race relations in our country? Most students were very aware that this was a big moment in our history. A couple of students did express frustrations that it was even a topic, they felt America was not racist to begin with.
Also, what about a Native American President? This was brought up. I was pretty sure we have not had a President elect who was Native American. Republican Charles Curtis was Vice President to Herbert Hoover during 1929-1933 and was a quarter Indian.
The procession of past Presidents was interesting more for me than the students. Luckily they could identify all of them (they have only been my students for 2 weeks and we’re just entering the 1800s.). Several discussions about Clinton that I had to quell, even though they were too young to really remember much about him. Interesting!
I had several students who thought Bush has been treated unfairly and when he was announced and the heckling in the audience (such as the “na, na, hey, hey, goodbye” or whatever it was and the booing) they thought it tasteless and not appropriate. I don’t blame them. Absolutely classless.
Now our attention turned to President Obama and his family. Several female students thought the Obama’s to be a lovely looking family.
As for the President’s speech, the students felt like they followed it well and for the most part understood what he was talking about. Several were surprised by his references to religion. Comments such as “God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness” stood out for my students.
My students felt Obama’s focus on the economy was important, and that he addressed the terrorist issue and his resolve to continue to defend the country.
We did discuss afterward Obama’s comment, “For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies.” As we have been discussing the role of government and how far it needs to go, and how far is too much. We have done so (this past 10 days) from the perspective of: Limited Government, Separation of Power, Checks and Balances, Federalism, and included readings from the Federalists and anti-Federalists. So those discussion and readings were brought up in a few ways. But mainly it broke down party lines, those students with Liberal beleifs and those with Conservative beliefs were most vocal. Not a surprise!
By this time we were out of time and my students had to move on. I reflected on the speech and felt it was fairly good. I especially enjoyed how he ended it, and have it here for those who missed it (here is link for full text):
So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of Americas birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned.
The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:
“Let it be told to the future world…that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive…that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it].”
America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come.
Let it be said by our childrens children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and Gods grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.
I was moved by this ending and that he looked back to the Founding Fathers in such a way.
Chris I have to admit it sounds like you did a great job using this in your classroom. I could not have been as fair and balanced as you, which is why I do not teach.
I was also appalled by the behavior of those who booed and hissed their vitriol towards Mr. Bush. It was nothing more than a classless expression of ignorant people. What’s sad is these professed peaceful and open minded liberal, in their behavior, show just how rude and spiteful they truly are. This was about the President of the United States, it is bigger than one man and the Founders would have been horrified by such a crowd mindlessly chanting the President’s name over and over again. The Messiah is here.
Had they been cheering President Washington in such a shameless way, he would have been thoroughly embarrassed. Obama could not get enough of it. Welcome to Autocracy. Mark my words. They thought Bush bad only because they hated him, as seen today. Any dissent to Obama, and the vitriol will be directed at those dissenters!
Peace.
GW
Greg, I have expressed my views that Bush made mistakes and did things I do not support. I am also not happy with his economic decisions as he left office. That said, I was shocked by the audience’s behavior. As for the rest of your comments, I can’t comment. -C
Greg, — Why do you assume that the people who booed at President Bush were liberal? Perhaps they were simply venting frustration that has grown over the last years. I agree that it was in poor taste, but you clearly do not have to be a liberal to express a sense of relief that it’s over.
Chris, — We had our entire school watch the inauguration in our auditorium. I used all my class time yesterday to broadcast the C-SPAN feeds and discuss the symbolism of the day’s events. I would much rather have watched it alone, but we are history teachers after all.
Chris,
I agree with Greg that it seems you are very balanced in your teaching of government to your students — something I understand is rather rare in these times. I am a conservative and did not vote for Obama, HOWEVER, he is now my president and I feel it my duty to do everything in my power to support him and help him to be successful.
Keep up the good work!
This is my first blog comment ever, prompted by the remarks above, particularly Pam’s response, with which I agree, although from the opposite (moderate liberal) perspective. As she supports Obama as our nation’s president, I supported Bush as our nation’s president.
Although from the start I thought he lacked presidential competence, his tax cuts were bad policy, and his foreign policy was based on deception and Wilsonian arrogance (I’m not that kind of liberal), I take no pleasure in the outcome. Our nation, our society–”We, the people”–are severely damaged. Obama asked us to work together to preserve and pass on our American heritage. I fervently pray we can do that after the increasing national discord and vituperation since the 1960s.
The crowd was rude and stupid to boo Bush, just as Limbaugh is outrageous in saying, “I hope he (Obama) fails.” The media frenzy over the Obamas is self-serving and ridiculous. That is not Obama’s doing and does not make him an autocrat.
Chris, I found your blog while exploring American history blogs and plan to visit again. I also admire the way you presented the inauguration to your students. Thank you.
I personally just think that george bush did not do the greatest job in the world and did not try very hard after being re-erlected and hopefully obama can do a better job.