Journal Entry from the evening of January 20, 2009

A slight breeze and the possibility of rain gave the already cool evening a bit more energy. The American embassy sits on top of a hill in Kigali and tonight it hosted a broadcast of the presidential inauguration. Tonight, America’s today, Barak Obama took office. Roughly 300 people had gathered within the United States compound to watch the ceremony shown live on 3 TVs and a projection screen. One of the commentators said that more people would watch this event than any other in history. There would be far more viewers outside of the US than within. The statistic rang true for my immediate surroundings; over half of those standing beside me were not American. Rwandan, Kenyan, Russian, British, German, Canadian, Dutch, Congolese. We huddled together and watched, stood and bore witness.

Why? Why were all of those people there? Why did the African men in the front row stomp and shout at the mention of Obama’s name? Why was there a pervasive spirit of joy and anticipation from so many non-Americans? This was not their president, not about their country.

They came and watched because for them, I believe, it was a homecoming, a returning. All had gathered to observe a historical event but their excitement was for something bigger, more important.

People from other countries want to see an America hell-bent on idealism and compassion. They want to believe in a country that is fair and just, especially when their own is riddled with corruption and violence. A powerful county choosing a young minority male as its leader gives hope to a world, not just a nation. Foreigners relished this induction because it is signified America returning to bold and idealist truths. It reaffirmed the possibility of “The American Dream.” It was a homecoming, a wayward nation taking steps to return to its source of glory and pride.

While Obama was taking the oath, I looked to my left and right. All gazed at the screens, transfixed and beaming, some with tears in their eyes. He repeated the creed and in that moment it felt as if could be well.


And then the power went out.

Oh well. He’s still the president.