Shakira: Obama Inauguration ‘A Triumph For All Minorities’

Shakira spoke with the Spanish newspaper El Mundo, where the Colombian pop singer talked about the honor of being invited by the Presidential Inauguration Committee and the President-elect Barack Obama to participate in the official ceremonies. “The swearing in of Obama is a triumph for all minorities, African Americans, Latinos, Arabs, Asians, and so many other communities who live in this country and by way of their daily work make America the great power that it is,” Shakira said. “I hope that the triumph of Obama serves to let all the children of the world know that they have the same rights and that they can aspire to any level of success that they wish. God willing many hispanic children are now thinking today that they want to be president when they grow up when before today that was difficult to imagine.” Shakira added that among the Latino community, she’s “sure that sooner or later, in a not-so-far-off future, will have among them a future president of the United States

Shakira: "I hope that some many Hispanic children would think that they too can become President¨.

1. Why she decided to publicly support Obama,

When Obama was born there were still schools in some parts of the United States that didn't accept African American children. Fast forward two decades and the most powerful man on the planet is an African American. This is a triumph of human evolution. It's a message of optimism and tolerance that will reverberate throughout the world penetrating millions of minds. The triumph of Obama is without a doubt a cause for celebration for all.

2. How she met him:

I haven't met him yet but we've exchanged very positive words.

3. What it means to participate in the swearing in,

It's an honor to be invited by the Presidential Inauguration Committee and the President-elect to participate in these official ceremonies.

The swearing in of Obama is a triumph for all minorities, african americans, Latinos, Arabs, Asians, and so many other communities who live in this country and by way of their daily work make America the great power that it is. I hope that the triumph of Obama serves to let all the children of the world know that they have the same rights and that they can aspire to any level of success that they wish. God willing many hispanic children are now thinking today that they want to be president when they grow up when before today that was difficult to imagine.

4. What songs she'll sing

Songs that are hymns of happiness and optimism. One is called The Bright Side of the Road, and the other with Stevie Wonder who is one of the most widely-respected musicians in the country and definitely a part of a group of fundamental people who contributed to the progress of this country along with Martin Luther King and many others.

5. What she hopes for from Obama's presidency

Like the beginning of all new phases, one is more concerned with the wishes of what we want to improve than objective analysis. But among the things that I like about Obama I would say that he seems by all counts committed to education, environmental care, and prioritizes a dialogue to resolve or avoid conflict.

6. What she hopes will change in the relationship between the US and Latin America during his term,

I think that our millions of Latino brothers who live in the United States are doing a lot for Latin America. Not simply with the money that they send home every month to their families there but also because they are helping to place Latin America on the political agenda of this country.

We are a booming, hardworking, and increasingly committed community. This country wouldn't function without the Latino community. Obama wouldn't be president without their support.

I hope that all these factors translate into our president lending the attention that our community and Latin America deserve.

As such I am thrilled to be part of this official ceremony That this guest wants to say that there are people who understand the weight of the community that i'll be representing. A community that I am sure sooner or later, in a not-so-far-off future, will have among them a future president of the United States.