When the new President of the United States first spoke about immigration in public into a microphone from the presidential podium at his first inauguration I was there, watching with hundreds of thousands of people around me of all creeds and colors who in their majority expressed on their faces a feeling of euphoria, tears, laughter and cries of joy. On all of their faces there was a look of hope and triumph. I had never been to the inauguration of an American president, but I think along with everyone else we were elevated to heights we had never experienced, there was a guiding light on the path; someone who with their simple and profound words told us that promises are to be accomplished and challenges are made to be overcome.

By Eduardo Galeano
English translation by Franklin Garcia