March Toward The Future, But Never Forget The Past

The inauguration of Barack Obama meant different things to different people.

For Gregory Floyd, President of Local 237 in New York, Obama’s inauguration was a combination of hope, hard work and dreams come true. Mostly, however, the inauguration of America’s first black president was a testament to the power of Americans to overcome obstacles and achieve high standards.

As he stood among the crowds near the Capitol on January 20, 2009, Floyd was reminded of those who came before Obama; of those who helped make Obama’s entrance into the White House possible.

“Barack Obama becoming president is the ultimate achievement in black history,” Floyd said. “However, without other great civil rights leaders, including Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr., Barack Obama wouldn’t be where he is today. He stood on the shoulders of those two great leaders.”

Although witnessing Obama take the presidential oath was awe-inspiring, Floyd said he was greatly touched not by the formality of the day’s events, but by the people who elected Obama as the 44th president of the United States. He noted that despite the cold temperatures and large crowds, complaints were few and far between and no arrests were made on Inauguration Day.

“There was a mood of joy and celebration,” Floyd said. “America realized that we are all equal, that we don’t belong to the African-American race, the white race or the Asian race; we belong to the human race.”

Floyd hopes to see Obama carry on the legacy of those who helped make his presidency possible and open the doors of opportunity to future generations. While Obama is an inspiration to young people, Floyd especially anticipates the effect Obama will have on America’s black youth.

“Now that Obama is president, we are going to see more African-American children aspiring for greater things. They are not going to look at themselves as just basketball players, rappers or entertainers. They are going to realize that they can be doctors, lawyers or managers,” Floyd said. “The glass ceiling has been broken.”

But it isn’t just America’s black youth who will be positively influenced by America’s first black president. Because he promised to work hand-in-hand with labor unions, America’s working families are relying on Obama for a better economy and a more prosperous future.

Under Obama, Floyd hopes to see a country that has a strong economy, a good housing market and a high standard of education. He wants America’s youth to attend college and hopes that those who want work will have steady, safe, good-paying jobs. Mostly, though, Floyd is relying on Obama to restore America’s spirit of optimism as well as the American dream.

“Obama’s inauguration means that we can turn the country around for the working-class people,” Floyd said. “It means that America is truly a place of opportunity, where people can make something of their lives.”

As America marches into a future of change, Floyd believes it is important to remember and reflect upon the past.

Floyd admits that Obama’s road to the White House was rocky, but said that road helped shape Obama and America into what they are today. Such things should never be forgotten.

“I want future generations to know that it was not easy for Barack Obama to become president of the United States and I don’t want them to forget the struggles of those who came before them,” Floyd said. “These things—suffrage, workers’ rights, civil rights—were not achieved because we wanted them to be achieved. They were achieved because people fought and struggled.”

Floyd hopes that all Americans will look to Obama as an inspiration and continue the fight to move the country forward.

“We must all continue to do the same—to stand up for our beliefs and judge people by what they do while they’re here—so that we have more moments like this,” he said.