Thirty people gathered at the Raven Foundation conference room on January 20 to witness the inauguration of President Barack Obama.The event was called and provided an opportunity for the community to watch President Obama’s speech and discuss its implications for the nation and for the world.

Here are a few of the themes and questions that were discussed:

1. Define hope.

2. Does hope require action?  If yes, what kind of action?

3. Whose voice for hope is not being heard?

        a. The homeless

        b. Those who don’t want or are frightened by change

4. What kind of citizen do you hope to become? 

5. Does our culture need to change in order to provide hope?  If yes, in what ways?

6. What advice would you give the new administration?

        a. Stop/avoid political corruption by telling the truth

        b. Base decisions on facts, not politics

7. Where do you see little reason for hope?

       a. An economy built on excess

8. What changes are you looking for?

      a. Respect for earth and all creatures that share DNA

Whether or not you attended The Character of Hope event, we would love to hear your response to President Obama’s speech and your response to the above questions and themes.

Other observations on the Inauguration by Raven staff members you might enjoy are Look At What We Have Done and President Obama: The Change We Need, Not the Change We Want.