College student: Inauguration marks turn toward equality in politics
After watching Barack Obama take the oath of office yesterday, Seth Dallaire of Groveland felt reassured that his country is entering a new era.
"The time for America to be run by a rich, white male is over," said Dallaire, treasurer of the Contemporary Affairs Club at Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill. "Today is a big step to eliminating racism and realizing Martin Luther King's dream of equality."
Dallaire, 20, a history major at Northern Essex, was among the more than 300 students and staff who gathered in the college's library conference room to watch the inauguration live on television.
Dallaire said he was particularly inspired by his new president's message to restore America's image in the eyes of the world.
"I see nothing but good times ahead for our country," Dallaire said. "Things may get worse in the short term, but they'll quickly get better after that."
America electing its first black president means the political spectrum has now opened to everyone, Dallaire said.
"One day we'll have a Latino run for the presidency," he said. "This is by far the most historic election in history."
