The Inauguration: Reflections from a College Student

ABC News On Campus reporter Ryan Calhoun blogs: As I watched and listened closely to the inauguration of President Barack Obama, one of his quotes stayed with me: "So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled." Although America is still young, it has traveled a long way. The country’s journey makes this day different for every generation:  Senior citizens have seen it all, from the civil rights movement to today’s historic inauguration,  and people such as my father grew up at a time when segregation was common. My generation will always remember  its  first vote, cast in the most historic election of this nation’s lifetime.  But the one generation that I couldn’t get off my mind was the kids out there who will grow up with an African-American president, kids like my 4-year-old brother.  My mom sent me a text message today saying that she had ordered memorabilia that she’ll give him when he is old enough to understand it.  My brother already talks about going to college, but next he might say he wants to be the next Barack Obama.  Younger citizens get the chance to grow up to dream of anything they want, whether it’s being a pilot or being the president, they get to have that dream.  Barack Obama took the country’s most sacred oath one day after Martin Luther King, Jr.  Day. Today was the day that King dreamed of 45 years ago when he spoke at that same podium. "I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character," King said.  President Barack Obama  has affected  the world with his character, not the color of his skin, bringing tears to the eyes of citizens of all different nationalities.  On this day the only colors that mattered were the red, white and blue, the stars and stripes of the American flag.  "For everywhere we look, there is work to be done," President Obama said. "The state of the economy calls for action bold and swift  , and we will act — not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth."  Viewers at home and in the Washington, D.C.  , crowd looked to this man, hoping for better days, and waiting to see what Obama will accomplish.