***(Editor’s Note:  Josh McGrath is a Columnist and Collegiate Commentator for “The Thirsty Quill.”  Although he is currently a student at Wingate University, Josh will be reporting for ‘The Quill’ from Washington, DC over the next few days, site of Tuesday’s Presidential Inauguration. As always, we appreciate Josh’s commitment and service to “The Thirsty Quill.”)***

“Inauguration Update #6″

By: Josh McGrath, Columnist

(Late Monday night)

Just before bed, all of the students met together to discuss the importance of what tomorrow holds for us. We began by talking about racism in America, and how it has gradually improved with each generation. It has literally been a work in progress for this country. What our discussion turned into really shocked me.

The discussion drastically turned when 3/4 of the students who came along with us began to blame their problems on President Bush and on Republicans. Here are some astonishing quotes I heard tonight from my fellow students, both African-American and Caucasian:

“Now its OUR time!”

“We can compare Obama to Jesus!”

“Bush has spent the last 8 years trying to degrade our living standards.”

“I’ve never been proud to say I’m an American until now.”

“Finally! Someone I can honestly call my President!”

“This isn’t a racial thing, but I really hope Obama sends us money [for being a minority].” 

However, I will also say that as the meeting came to a close, everyone in the group understood the importance of helping each other in the community in order to better our country as a whole.