An International Rendition of the Star Spangled Banner

So I know that I already posted once today, but… I had to post again. I mean it’s inauguration day!

I watched the speech in the Chapel here on campus with a bunch of other international students who don’t have access to a television. First of all, I should add that there were only three or four Americans in the room, so it was really touching that there were a pretty good number of other students excited about today. We listened to Obama speak and heard the poet and the preacher speak as well. Then our national anthem came on.

I questioned for a second whether I should stand or not, as in the past I’ve been careful not to single myself out as an American. But I decided to stand and as I did, so did the other Americans… and so did the Muslim woman in the back of the room… and so did the Australian Reverend of Queen Mary… and so did the woman from Kenya, the British students in front of me, the woman from Poland on my left, and the man from China on my right. Everyone stood for OUR national anthem. I have never in my entire life been so proud to be an American and suffice it to say, that as I (quietly, because I didn’t want to ruin the moment with my completely inept singing) sang along with our national anthem, there were a few tears.

If anything I think that experiencing this day from abroad has made it all the more meaningful for me, because it’s reminded me that this is not just a step forward for America – this is a step forward for the global community. And the global community is watching, listening, rejoicing, and standing with us today. I will never forget what it felt like to stand in a room, my hand on my heart, singing my national anthem, surrounded by a global representation of my peers who quite literally stood up for my country alongside me.