Only the Beginning

We knew that cowards would start forming earlier then we would anticipate. Millions of people entered DC by charter bus to witness the inauguration. I have visited the Taste of Chicago many times during the years, and up until Tuesday, was the largest event I had attended. I have never seen so many people in my entire life! As we neared the Capitol Building, it was abvious that the small group of 4 that I travelled with was going to have trouble getting into the National Mall as streets entrances were blocked off. We had such a hard time with only 4 people, I couldn't help but wonder what the larger group of over 40 was going through! We walked and walked and walked, following the flow of crowds for signs of the best way to enter. Finally, after 2 hours of walking around the mall, we were finally able to enter and obtained a good location with respect to the Capitol Building. As I looked around at the overwhelmingly large crowd, I was thankful to be a part of something so emense and important. Many people undoubtedly had trouble seeing the screens but weren't disappointed. EVERYONE was just happy to be in attendance and be a part of such an important event in the history of our nation.

As people were shown entering on the large screens, the crowd's excitement grew. Millions cheered wildly for Michelle and the girls, and some booed with just as much passion, if not more, when former President Bush was shown entering. Yet, as we had seen several times while in DC, President Obama was definitely the star of this show! As his face appeared on the screen, the crowd cheered wildly, waving the American Flag proudly in the air. I believe this will be a moment that I will be able to vividly picture for the rest of my life! The ceremony began and both Vice President and President were sworn in. I, along with many others standing near, couldn't help but be moved by such an experience. I cried tears of joy that our nation now has hope that the future will improve. I was proud to be an American, but I was overwhelmed by the sense of pride I had in the Black community. Looking at the face of change, I couldn't help to think back on all that Blacks had to endure throughout the history of this country. I, for the first time in my life, realized how remarkable America truly is. Many no longer believe in the American Dream. This moment in history proves that anything is possible in the country because of our strong belief in freedom and democracy. We are not a perfect nation, but that doesn't take away from this nation’s greatness.

President Obama’s speech was both moving and inspiring. A breath of fresh air has been given to the nation and for the first time in a long time, we can look to the future and expect results. This entire trip has been an experience that I will hold with me the entirety of my life. The knowledge, pride, and sense of ownership gained will be passed down to the next generation in hopes they too will create a better America. I have grown as a person from this experience and can only be grateful that I was offered such a unique opportunity. I wasn’t there for the start of the journey, and I hope instead of an end, our nation will never stop progressing and improving our society and way of life. I was there for the moment that reinforced the notion that all things are possible, a little boy or girl can grow up in this country and be anything they dream, and that we can come together as the UNITED States and finish the work that so many before us shed blood, sweat, and tears for. I am ready to do my part and am thankful beyond words that CHANGE HAS COME TO AMERICA!!

Service and Change

To the advice of President Obama, we did service on Monday. Organizations hosted a Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration/ Service Day. Being more like a block party then stiff event, people covered the streets and side walks listening to the event's DJ and helping with different tasks for the event. A full course meal was served and individuals were able to pick up clothes and other belongings that were donated to the cause. This event was truly beautiful. So many individuals gathered to help their fellow man. I thought how wonderful it was that people were stepping up to the plate and doing their part to help change this nation. Yet, after talking to several organizers of the celebration, I learned that it was done every year for some time now. It was great to witness the generosity and kindness that people can have for one another. I slowly drifted back down to realize that many have been working to improve the quality of life for others, and that with the election of Barack Obama, we should continue our efforts and take this as an opportunity to expand our reach and help as many individuals as we can. We were able to see first hand the true nature of the human spirit. The experience was truly amazing!

After the service event, we headed to the campus of Howard University to sit in on a forum about the election and what this means for our nation. Among the experts and professionals present, Jeff Johnson hosted and structured the discussion. Many agreed that it is now up to the people of America to work towards improving the nation and creating more opportunities for generations to come. The discussion of "post racial" America also made its way into the conversation. While, many would like to believe that with the election of a Black man into presidency, racism is dead and that perhaps Americans are no longer seeing the color of an individual. This notion, although a pleasant one to follow, is simply not the case. The election of Barack Obama marks our progression. This is more of a large milestone in the journey rather than the end destination. There is still more healing of the racial divide and the wounds created by the hatred and ignorance carried by some. This healing is not a one-sided thing. EVERYONE in this nation needs to heal from the wounds of racism and oppression. Everyone, regardless of race or ethnicity, is negatively affected by this. This election marks a unique moment in history in which we can truly begin to reach out to one another with compassion to remedy the ills that have always existed in this country.

We Are One

The list of celebrity speakers and performers was long and impressive. Everyone from Bruce Springsteen to Jamie Fox was in attendance and had the same goal: to encourage the country to unify towards the common goal of making this nation the greatest it can possibly be. I was concerned that people were more excited for Beyonce then the President- Elect, but once our future President and First Lady walked out before the crowd, it was clear why nearly one million people showed up in the cold whether to wait hours for the event to begin. Standing before us, in the same location Dr. King gave his famous I Have a Dream speech, OUR future President addressed his nation and spoke from the heart on the issues we face and the expectations he wishes to set for us as a society. He made it clear that this isn’t about us. We have to make every decision with the future in mind. We should want better for the next generation and strive to provide them with opportunities not afforded to us. This is how success of our nation should be measured. Obama has inspired our nation to take an active role in its future by doing all we can now to improve all aspects of American society.
Simone Williams has graciously offered to allow me to post photos she took during the concert. THEY ARE AMAZING! Look out for them later today! :-)

A Sight to See

This is my first trip to DC. I’m not sure if those that have visited before were as taken by the city as me, but I doubt anyone would deny that our nation’s capital is absolutely AMAZING. The buildings were immaculate in the early morning light. The reflective glass and metal of the buildings made the city seem more like a movie set. The Potomac River, frozen over in most spots, along with the bare tree branches were the perfect back drop for our crisp winter day.

The city seemed so calm and peaceful at 7 AM. I awoke to us driving under elaborate bridges and underpasses searching for the perfect location to enter the National Mall. As we stepped off the bus, the excitement overtook us. In a few (well, maybe more than a few) hours we would be watching the “We Are One” Lincoln Memorial concert!

I knew that millions of people were expected to show up for the inaugural events, but to see so many individuals of so many different ethnicities, backgrounds, and ages come together to celebrate our country and its future was truly a sight to see! The lines rounded corners and wrapped back around allowing the end of the line to greet the beginning. Surprisingly, it didn’t take long to enter the space.

We visited and took pictures of the monuments. Although we were surrounded by famous, historic structures, it was more interesting to watch the group and the interactions among the individuals. IT WAS COLD! After an hour of outdoor activities, I was sure that I would be leaving with less toes then I arrived with. Yet, perhaps out of a sense of survival, we huddled up to share warmth and ended up playing rounds of games with one another. Today’s events gave us not only a sense of historic perspective, but a feeling of unity and camaraderie within the group.

Start of a Journey

We are completely EXHAUSTED! I certainly had no idea what over 12 hours on a bus would feel like. Surprisingly, the long ride only heightened our excitement over the events that will be taking place over the next few days. Of course, my pc went dead before we ever left Champaign (ruining my plans of watching DVDs and listening to music). Yet, by the afternoon none of that mattered. As we participated in bus-wide discussions on issues of race and overall social standards of society, hopped off the bus every chance we could to take photos and view the scenery, contributed to the video log of the trip, and generally enjoyed the company of those seated around us, I am happy that I had no distraction on the way here. Given the time to reflect on the social, political, and historic significance of having Barack Obama sworn in as president of the United States, the journey to Pennsylvania has primed me to absorb all I can from this experience. My grandchildren will one day want to hear the story of me witnessing the swearing in of not simply the first Black man elected to presidency, but the man who inspired millions and restored the sense of hope, pride and optimism which was once innate to American society. I want to see everything, hear everything, photograph as much as I can, and take with me the memory of the greatest moment in my nearly 22 years of life!
Tomorrow is the first event. Don’t worry; there will be plenty of pics! J