Like most, I was listening to President Obama’s inaugural address feeling uplifted and inspired by the “call to arms” for the rebuilding of America. Unlike most, I was also waiting for some acknowledgment that this new administration would reach out to the twenty-some million Atheists, Agnostics, Humanists and other Free Thinkers that have been purposely excluded from the American political process. I had no expectations because I am used to being discriminated against. But a small part of me hoped that maybe this once I would get an acknowledgment. Maybe Obama would do the unthinkable and acknowledge my existence. He did! In his words:

“For we know that our patchwork heritage is strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and nonbelievers.”

It’s not much, but it’s enough. For the first time, in a long time, “non-believers” have been mentioned as part of the country. George Bush, the elder, said “… I don’t know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots.” Obama, in contrast, acknowledges the fact that we are every bit a part of the United States as Christians, Muslims, Jews, and Hindus. It was a great event that I shall not soon forget. I will tell my grandchildren someday what I was doing when the president of the United States first said that non-believers are part of the nation. It even made up for the nauseous feeling I got from Rick Warren’s bigoted, discriminatory, inane nonsense and the three times Obama said the word god. (BTW Rick, half of the world and over 30% of this nation does not even think your bastard-child savior even existed) But that’s okay. The future is all about mending bridges and working together to overcome challenges. People like Rick Warren who would castigate others do not have a place in this country’s future. Today African Americans have had a huge victory. Along with their victory, we non-theists have had our own small victory as well. America, as a whole, has had a massive victory against prejudice and is on the correct road toward a better future. Our road is going to be a rough one, but thanks to you Mr. President, it perhaps just got a little bit easier.