inauguration doubletakes
Did anyone else catch Rick Warren dropping in the Shema and then, immediately after, breezing over a quote from the Holy Qur'an? (I'd chapter-and-verse it, but it's in there 114 times, last I checked.) Thoughts about the supposed inclusivity of simply saying "Jesus" in English, Greek, Hebrew, and Arabic and then still identifying Him as, y'know, the one source of true teaching--plus tacking on the Lord's Prayer for no apparent reason?
How about Feinstein's dis of Malcolm X? I gasped, I admit.
And, for that matter--who else fell over laughing at Warren's...exotic...enunciation of "Malia and Sasha"? Was anyone else tempted to periodically hold up a sign that said "EXCEPT THE QUEERS" during his invocation?
...how many times can white newscasters breathlessly expound on how racism is over?
And Obama, well...hell of a speech, sir. Some nice shoutouts, some truly elegantly brutal digs at the outgoing administration, and some interesting reference choices. And a conscious avoidance of gendered language--"Our forebears," "All are equal"--through variation of traditionally epicene-masculine phrases. Nicely done and much appreciated. For that matter? I actually thought it was sweet, that he was nervous enough to stumble on the oath of office. Michelle gave him a great look when he did.
On the other other hand? Get we please, please stop with the notion that every American came from immigrants, settling this untamed land, bravely marching toward the horizon and striking out into unmapped territory to make new homes and hopes? I know it's a great image to work with, y'all, but some people were here already. For Pete's sake, can we stop erasing everyone whose ancestors managed to handle this continent just fine for a good 12,000 years before--how shall I put this--colonialist genocide reared its head? 'Cause they're still here, y'all. And some had to sit in that amazing crowd and listen, once again, and they got conveniently cut out of the picture.
Anyway. That said, I'm glad I got to see most of it, adorably-snappily-dressed Obama kids and all.
How about Feinstein's dis of Malcolm X? I gasped, I admit.
And, for that matter--who else fell over laughing at Warren's...exotic...enunciation of "Malia and Sasha"? Was anyone else tempted to periodically hold up a sign that said "EXCEPT THE QUEERS" during his invocation?
...how many times can white newscasters breathlessly expound on how racism is over?
And Obama, well...hell of a speech, sir. Some nice shoutouts, some truly elegantly brutal digs at the outgoing administration, and some interesting reference choices. And a conscious avoidance of gendered language--"Our forebears," "All are equal"--through variation of traditionally epicene-masculine phrases. Nicely done and much appreciated. For that matter? I actually thought it was sweet, that he was nervous enough to stumble on the oath of office. Michelle gave him a great look when he did.
On the other other hand? Get we please, please stop with the notion that every American came from immigrants, settling this untamed land, bravely marching toward the horizon and striking out into unmapped territory to make new homes and hopes? I know it's a great image to work with, y'all, but some people were here already. For Pete's sake, can we stop erasing everyone whose ancestors managed to handle this continent just fine for a good 12,000 years before--how shall I put this--colonialist genocide reared its head? 'Cause they're still here, y'all. And some had to sit in that amazing crowd and listen, once again, and they got conveniently cut out of the picture.
Anyway. That said, I'm glad I got to see most of it, adorably-snappily-dressed Obama kids and all.
Labels: americana, journalism, queer, religion
posted by little light | 9:40 AM
8 Comments:
Yeah...Warren just came off like he was completely out of his element and trying way, way, way too hard. The "Ma-lia and SaSha!" bit was too embarrassing for words. I bet Obama's really regretting that misguided bit of outreach now.
Also, I'm not sure Obama stumbled over the oath of office. It sounded to me more like Roberts read it wrong, Obama was like "that's not how it sounds when I say it to myself every night before I go to bed," and then Roberts corrected himself.
The Velveteen Rabbi noticed the Qur'an reference.
And I'll not be a totally lazy arse, here's a link for it.
This is why I watched it on CSPAN.
No commentators. It doesn't make the commentary not exist, but at least I can focus on what's being said.
Yeah, and I can't remember whether or not past inaugurations have been more inclusive. I don't really *remember* the Lord's Prayer being said in full in the past, but, well... I protested the last two, and before that, I was...a teenager and don't remember. And, yeah, wow, he sure did say "Jesus" quite a lot. I didn't even comprehend that that "Jesus in other languages" thing was meant to be inclusion until the newscasters said it, and then... Yeah: "Oh."
i'm pretty sure Obama knows better too than to ignore the folks here before.
anyone who has spent any time in Hawai'i would have to know - even if they don't share a radical analysis. you'd have to be stupid to spend time there and not know that indigenous people exist and aren't so keen on colonization and genocide.
i'm guessing this is why he is a politician and i am not.
warren - just made me sick. and i totally picked up on feinstein's dis. but i think it was more about gaza and who has a right to self-defense who doesn't.
as someone who was sardined in, freezing my tail off outside the Capitol, I have to tell you that after the "Malia and Sasha" moment, the entire Mall erupted into laughter. I really wish the audio broadacast had caught it. -asu
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