What the Inauguration Means to Me

As we rapidly approach Jan. 20, the anticipation for this event grows greater in me each day. Not only is this the first president whom I had a personal say in electing, it is the first time in as long as I can remember that I am proud of my country. Being 21 years old, my entire adolescence was spent with Bush at the helm. I spent my teenage years in a liberal town learning to hate the man. From the election scandal to the Iraq war to the utter ignorance of almost any culture besides the western one, I was surrounded by people who didn't approve of the country we lived in and its actions.

The inauguration will change all of that. To me, it means the hope that we will be able to change our image in the world, to change our anti-science policies and backwards thinking sexual education programs. It means a fresh slate to prove once again that we are the greatest nation on earth. It means that if I'm traveling I won't be embarrassed anymore to say that I'm an American, but instead be proud of it.