Happy Birthday, Barack!

Today is our President's birthday. I reminded my mom of this as we talked on the phone this morning. She said, "Really? I must say an extra prayer for him. I love him so much. He is like my own son." Despite the noise and knee-jerk opposition from factions on the political right, there continues to be so much love and pride and good feeling pouring out for our president. I believe this is based on the core decency that most people sense in the man. All six of my aunts, every one of them past 80, pray for him every single day. I do hope all the prayers going up for him form a field of protection around him and his family as he strives to do that difficult job the best way he knows how. Happy Birthday, Barack! I guess we're on a first name basis now that my mom has adopted you as her spiritual son. (Photo by Peter Turnley)

Obama Girls

The President, while he was still a candidate, reflected that his daughters' presence in the White House would redefine the way the world looks at little Black children, and who they can be. Notice how deeply Malia's dad is listening to what she's saying. Observe Sasha's comfort and glee as she runs through the corridors of power. Note the sweet Black girl hairstyles and the soft flyaway fuzz that Black girls everywhere remember from their own childhood days of travel or play. It makes me ridiculously happy that the two most privileged children on the planet are now these two little girls, the lovely, unspoiled, brilliant and protected Malia and Sasha Obama.

The Moment

From top:
1. Two million people of all races, creeds and walks of life gathered on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to watch Barack Obama sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America. What a morning! (Photo by Vincent Laforet)
2. Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, arrive for the ceremony that will make their father the most powerful man in the world. (Photo by J. Scott Applewhite)
3. Barack Obama stands on the verge of history, the first African American President-elect of the United States. (Photo by Jason Reed)
4. His family around him, President Obama takes the world stage. (Photo by Richard Friedman)