The day of Obama's inauguration was one of the longest days of my life. We got up early so we could catch the first trains that began running to get into the city, but had to wait until 8 AM before they would even open the security lines at the Blue Gate so we could stake out a good spot. We were about 50 yards from the Capitol, but we still had to watch the Jumbotron because the bleachers impeded the view. While Obama's inaugural address was not quite what I expected, the ceremony was definitely worth the 5 hour wait in the bitter cold. It was great to see the Clintons, Ted Kennedy, and other leaders of both parties coming together to mark the historic occasion. The memory of the experience is something that I will remember for the rest of my life.

The 3:00 AM wind reduces us to human ice sculptures, but our spirits keep us warm and awake. Among the other 150,000 silver section ticket holders, we wait in a crowd that resembles more of a cattle drive than an actual security line. The miserable cold paired with impatience makes for a very, very long countdown to the Inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44^th President of the United States of America. Almost 100 people break into the Electric Slide while singing "Move Bush, get out the way, get out the way Bush, get out the way!" Barricades are broken down, people run across the frozen reflecting pool, a sea of waving flags stretches all the way to the Lincoln Memorial. As far as the eye can see, anticipation sweeps the masses. And then President Obama addresses the nation - as 2 million Americans listen in silence.

If anyone had doubts, the Inauguration of President Obama does not mean racism no longer exists in America. The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington DC is just one example of the racial struggles yet to come. Race is socially constructed, which means we need to change our social constructions to reflect the diversity of the nation, instead of continuing to accept cultural divides. We need not be afraid of discussing the internal and institutional racism of our country, and we must find ways to respectfully address how racism hinders us as an entire people. President Obama symbolizes a step in the right direction, but it will take an effort of all Americans to uproot racism and force an end to oppression. American Indians were systematically and brutally removed from their native land, the land we European conquistadors now call home. We need to use President Obama's civil rights victory as a platform for change. Change we can believe in. But let's not rest our hopes on one man. Let's hold ourselves accountable for real change.

I felt the inauguration ceremony and the proceedings afterward were slightly disorganized. First of all the security seemed rather lenient considering the amount of people that attended. In the section I sat in, all I was required to do was show my ticket one time and open my jacket for an officer to see. They did not pat me down or ask to see the contents of my pocket. I felt that if someone had wanted to they could have easily got something past the weak security restrictions. Also people were bringing bags, chairs, blankets and many other things like food and drink into the standing section. I did not feel very safe. Also maneuvering the metro system seemed rather dysfunctional. I know that the employees were doing the best they could, but riders were being way too pushy and there were people injured.I feel that the security and the transportation plans could have run more smoothly, but I understand that at no other time had that many people been in D.C.

I believe in the separation of church and state and many Americans agree with me. Today at the inauguration of President Obama religion played a key role in the ceremony. Not only was their Rick Warren spewing religious rhetoric, but there was also a preacher at the end of the ceremony who said a final prayer. This really upset me. Why do we have to be a "Christian Nation"? Why aren't we an American nation? To me this country puts Christian first and American second. This is wrong and it is the reason why our country is so divided and will always be divided if we include religion in politics.