Barack Obama's Memory of Mistaking the Oath at the 2009 US Presidential Inauguration

JAKARTA - Barack Obama's appearance in the political map of the United States (US) shocked the whole world. Obama is not just an ordinary politician. Obama became the first black person to try out his abilities in the high-level political contestation of Uncle Sam's country, the 2008 US Presidential Election.

Obama's chances of becoming President of the United States are great. Republicans are also moving their party machines seriously so Obama wins. Something that many people predicted happened: Obama became the elected US President. However, his inauguration did not run smoothly.

The racism of whites to blacks is like an endless problem in the US. The whites feel they have a higher degree than the blacks. This condition makes blacks often get negative sentiment: crime, addicts, and criminals.

Racist sentiment continues to exist in the US. As a result, many black children in the US do not dare to dream high. Barack Obama also emerged as an exception. The man who was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on August 4, 1961, is known to have solidified his ideals as president from childhood.

This wish was expressed by Obama's teacher while studying in Indonesia. At that time Obama had joined his mother, Ann Maria, who happened to be remarriage with a man from Indonesia, Lolo Soetoro, to Jakarta. Obama's wish to become president was not just wishful thinking.

He likes to build his own path to achieving goals. His life in Hawaii and Jakarta taught him many things about diversity appreciating differences. He was also able to pursue higher education, from Columbia University to Harvard Law School.

This condition brought him into the US political gate in 1996. Obama was then elected Senator of Illinois. His presence as a senator was admired by many people. Many people are attracted to Obama's charisma.

Those who fall in love are not only blacks but whites. This condition makes not many people look down on Obama because he is black. Obama is seen as full of hope and can improve the lives of the US people.

At its peak, the Democratic Party attracted to make Obama and Joe Biden the main presidential and vice presidential candidates of the Democratic Party. He was able to outperform the popularity of another Democratic Party candidate, Hillary Clinton. The decision brought a big victory for Obama and the Democratic Party in the 2008 US Presidential Election.

"To reporters, he said the first thing to do after becoming a senator was to learn how the institution works, how to open the tap in the sink, and how to use the phone there. This is a strategy to get to know the nearest environment."

With this strategy he made his influence in Illinois. Like a rice field duck that continues to circle the rice fields he knows, Obama knocked from door to door, from one community to another, until finally he seized voters across America. He became President of America at a young age: 47 years," said Yos Rizal and his friends in Tempo magazine entitled The President of Menteng Dalam (2008).

Mispronouncing the Oath

Obama's victory was greeted with great fanfare by the US people. Obama will become a new history of the US. He will get the title as the first black US President. This condition is proof that skin color matters are no longer vital issues in the US.

However, Obama had to go first through the official inauguration which took place in front of the Capitol Building on January 20, 2009. Obama was happy not to play. He considered the inauguration a special momentum in his life. His dream came a step closer.

The oath-taking procession as US President was also carried out. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, John Robert acted as Obama's guide to read the oath. Problems arose. The inauguration ceremony did not go smoothly.

Robert, who should have led Obama to take the oath of not carrying out that role well. Robert seemed confused in saying the oath. Obama had tried to intervene, but had to continue.

Obama was forced to imitate Robert's wrong words. Robert said: I will execute the office of president to the United States fatally. In fact, Robert should say: I will successfully achieve the office of president of the United States.

The mistake forced Obama to repeat the taking of the oath again tomorrow on January 21, 2009. The procession was carried out on a limited basis at the White House. Those who attend are limited to high-ranking officials and media crew only.

The incident shocked the world. In fact, not a few also considered Obama's inauguration as the first black US President to be sabotaged. However, taking the second oath smoothly made the issue of Obama's oath to subside. Barack Obama himself was quite relaxed and joking about taking his second oath.

"However, because the oath is listed in the Constitution and because there is one word that is wrong, Supreme Court Justice John Roberts will take the oath for the second time," said White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs as quoted by the ANTARA page, January 22, 2009.