VOA常速英语:African Americans Reflect on Obama 2nd Inauguration

WASHINGTON — Americans from across the nation will converge on Washington, DC, next Monday (January 21) for the second inauguration of President Barack Obama. The moment will be especially meaningful for millions of African Americans who will again witness history as the first African American President is sworn in for a second four-year term.

Some Delta Sigma Theta sorority sisters are celebrating the second inauguration of President Barack Obama.  Francine and Cynthia Blake from Ohio see great significance in the president's second term.
 
“We have come a long way, a long way.  It just touches and warms my heart because for me I may not ever see another African American in office as high as he is,"said Francine.
 
“The great significance and importance about it is the fact that he needs to promote and protect the middle class, the middle working class," added Cynthia.
 
These women are in Washington to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the sorority - which is the largest African-American women’s organization in the world.  The 260,000-member group, along with other black voters, helped propel President Obama to victory last November. 
 
Political Science teacher Vanessa Kidd-Thomas says the election result illustrates the power blacks have at the ballot box.
 
“I think when President Barack Obama was reelected it reaffirmed that if African Americans are politically involved and collaborate and work together with other groups that we can positively change America," she said.
 
Brenda Moncriffe, from Louisiana, lived through violent chapters of the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s.
 
“For years we ((African Americans)) have fought for equal rights, voting rights and all sorts of rights.  When Barack Obama is inaugurated for a second time it surely shows what we can do.  Not only does it show what we can do, it shows our youngsters what they can do and what they can be," she said.
 
Thousands of these women were in Washington four years ago to witness Obama taking the oath of office.
 
And many will return for the second inauguration, says Gwendolyn Boyd, head of Delta Sigma Theta's centennial celebration.
 
“We are excited about the first family.  They stand as role models of who we (African Americans) are and who we can become for our children, those yet unborn.  They can see the potential within themselves because they see someone who looks like them who has already achieved great things in their lifetime," she said.
 
Many here say President Obama will get more accomplished in a second term and continue to deliver positive changes for the country.