A Brave New Day! | Print |  E-mail
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
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I’m writing this update on Monday, January 19th – Martin Luther King Day and the day before the inauguration of Barack Obama.  I have to say I’m profoundly happy to see this improbable turn of political events, given the difficult years we’ve all experienced.  I usually don’t write about anything political.  It’s not the point of this website, and can distract from what we’re about.  But this is worthy of an exception. 

 I'm sixty-six years old.  I saw my first Pete Seeger concert at the age of 20 in 1963, when I was home for the summer and a totally cool, new boyfriend took me to see him at a small folk concert at Brandeis University.  I lived as a student and young adult in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago for 9 years, some of them around the block from the house our new president so reluctantly had to leave.  My husband – he was my fiancé at the time - was in Selma, Alabama (his job was building outhouses for the demonstrators).  We were at Martin Luther King’s speech at the Chicago Armory (baffled by his prescient talk about poverty and the Arab-Israeli conflict – “Why is he diluting his civil rights message?”, we wondered….) and we were tear-gassed together (how romantic!) at the Democratic Convention of ’68, watching with dropped jaws as tanks wrapped in barbed wire rolled down Michigan Avenue.  That’s enough history – you get the picture.  It’s a big part of why I’m so happy to see this day.  Let me count the ways:

 

  • I’m happy to be proud of my country again.
  • I’m happy with our stated goals for positive & unifying change.
  • I’m happy our great problems will be addressed coherently and competently.
  • I’m happy that our young people are on board and excited to be part of this.
  • I’m happy to have an articulate, visionary, reflective, brainy, consistent, unifying, strategic, Constitution-savvy wonk of a president who actually might pull some of this off.
  • I’m happy with the random smiles I get on the street from perfect strangers of all stripes and colors.
  • I’m happy that my kids will now feel they own a piece of history, just as their parents did.  
  • I’m happy that Pete Seeger sang (sort of… he’s gotta be pushing 90!) on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial at the Sunday Inaugural concert.

 

Here’s to better days ahead, good people!

 

All best,

  

 


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written by Neal, January 20, 2009
Dear Belleruth,

Beautifully written.

I gotta tell ya, I've teared up with pride and gratitude for a lotta reasons the last few days. One of the most moving moments for me was when I saw Pete Seeger performing for the Prez-Elect of the USA. I told my wife, "I'm so glad he lived long enough to have the day that he has deserved for so long!"

Blessings,

Neal
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written by Paul Vincent Bernard, January 20, 2009
You are on the money with your excitement and optimism. I am 11 years younger but also know the exhilaration of our youthful idealism during those times. I am excited to believe again and to hold my head high for the nation of my birth. We will heal as a nation. It takes work, much like the work that many of us have done with your help to make ourselves be well.
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written by Charlotte Wytias, January 20, 2009
The reason you were correct in placing this piece on your site is that it is all about healing...us, our country and our world.
Thank you,
Charlotte
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written by Suzanne, January 20, 2009
Truly a wonderful day. I'm pleased for the exception you've made today. A handful of social work coworkers joined to watch the address this morning and the sighs of relief were audible. Despite the economy and my states failed mental health system, we have hope. You can't wipe the smile from my face as I think about our new leader, his vision and our future together.

Counting my blessings in MO,
Suzanne
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written by Wendy Schuman, January 20, 2009
I just bought a CD for my 85-year-old mom who is suffering from anxiety. Old age is not for sissies... As a baby boomer, I also cherish memories of Pete Seeger and working for peace and civil rights. (I'm an editor at Beliefnet.com, and I was fortunate to be able to interview Pete a couple of years ago for the website. What an amazing guy!) I too was moved to tears by the words of our inspiring president. I pray that our long-held hopes and dreams of a better world become reality. And, Belleruth--thanks so much for your tapes and CDs, which have brought so much healing to my family and the world.
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written by Consuelo Gonzalez, January 20, 2009
Belleruth, your note made me tear up again today! What a great day for tears and triumph! My heart is fuller, knowing what you did in your youth to bring this day forward! Thank you, and Congratulations America!
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written by Sherry, January 20, 2009
Belleruth, While I have not always agreed with the politics of our country and truly believe that it has to become about policy for the people and not the parties, either party! It has never occurred to me not to be proud of my country, because it is about the people, you and I. I have always been proud of my county and continue to be. Glad you feel you can now come on board with so many of us who are not deterred from our pride as Americans because of the motives of both of our political parties. Proud to be an American-proud to be for the people. God Bless America.
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written by Sheila, January 20, 2009
Congratulations! It seems like you have the right man in the right job. Here's where real healing begins for our Earth and we all need to take some responsibility in making sure that it happens. This may be our chance to make positive changes for the good of all. Grab it!! and make sure it works this time. New beginnings, positively!!!
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written by Mary , January 20, 2009
Dear Belleruth,
Your inauguration comments are exactly right. Thank you for sharing them, and thank you for remembering Pete. Indeed, he will be 90 on May 3 of this year. I'm so glad he was able to bookend his amazing career by playing in the pre-inauguration concert. I first heard him in the mid-fifties at Antioch College, when he was playing the college circuit because he was blacklisted elsewhere. All through my life since then, Pete has been there, leading the way with his songs and his activism, always an inspiration through all the tumult of the past 50 years. Now it is up to others to lead us on into the future, but they will be standing on his and others shoulders
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written by chelo, January 20, 2009
Dear Belleruth, Thank you for sharing your comments. Back in the sixties I marched in protest against the war and in support of the farmworkers. I watched in horror the tear gas of students at the democratic convention in 68. America was never the same after that. Today I can't believe this day has come. I am happy I lived this long, optimistic about the future and ready to do my part.
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written by Carol Gerjuoy, January 21, 2009
Yes, a great smiling day. A high point to remember, and go back to, again & again as a touchstone, when we want to feel that smile again on our own faces, and to share it with others.

About Pete Seeger: he released a CD recently called "At 89". His voice is not strong now, as you know, but he has help! It's a great commemorative. It's a whole lot of Pete.
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written by cheryl, January 21, 2009
Amen!Amen!Amen!
I took a vacation day yesterday and attended an inaguration party last night, where someone told me about Pete Seeger singing!! One of my heroes! I found him singing with his grandson and Bruce Springsteen (check out his 'The Pete Seeger Sessions' CD) for the crowd in Washington! God Bless him, and all who have worked for peace, justice and healing over the years!
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written by Linda Girdner, January 21, 2009
Thank you for your commments. I was at the We Are One Concert in DC on Sunday, and so many people had tears in their eyes when Pete Seeger (who was not listed in advance as a performer) came out and led us in This Land is Your Land. The whole concert was a deeply healing experience for all. It was as if all hearts opened wider all at once.
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written by Nickie, January 21, 2009
Great post! I, too, am proud of our country. I voted in November and that was my first presidential election vote. I am so happy with the hope this brings me. Thank you for your post, your words bring hope on a night when I need hope so badly.
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written by Cheryl, January 22, 2009
Hey Belleruth!

I am soooooo proud to be an American, a Democrat, and a SASS graduate (intensive semester, class of 88!. It feels so good to have hope again. I'm sure Dr. Naperstek is smiling down and grinning ear to ear!
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written by Terri Abraham, January 22, 2009
I, too, was truly proud of my country on Tuesday as well. That the democratic process works and we know how to change leadership in a peaceful way. I am sad for you that you were not proud of this country before, when we protected ourselves and others from terrorists and freed 2 nations from tyranny.
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written by Hannah Soltz Aharony, January 25, 2009
Dear Belleruth
I've read your words on that special day and I can truly say, from this end of the world, that we, the citizens of Israel, are joining you in your pride and happiness and eagerly waiting for this new era of hope in the world. We all can use some hope.
Yours truly
Hannah Soltz Aharony
Israel

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