The First Black President
"Men and women obscure in their labor -- who have carried us up the long rugged path towards prosperity and freedom." ~President Obama
What He is Saying
Obama describes how there were and are people who are the backbone for success and freedom in the country because of the work they put in. Many being parents and notably black ancestors who had to endure slavery or blatant racism to grant their children a better life. Obama can stand there on that day because of the resilience of those individuals to push on.
How I Relate to the Quote
It's inspiring to know the weight on his shoulders in this moment, as not only does he have the expectations of the countries current citizens, he bears the weight of the efforts of African-Americans who died fighting for the chance of this freedom. Regardless he doesn't shy away from anything, gives credits to them, and is taking the chance to make use of it all. It is also comforting how at the time, the efforts of the slaves may have seemed hopeless, but in the end it resulted in the freedom of black people, putting them on the path towards equal treatment. I relate in the slight sense that my parents worked very hard to immigrate to Canada and provide a nice life for my brother and I. It makes me motivated to make good use of this opportunity, that others wish or didn't get themselves.