When I read about this on the huffingtonpost style page, I shook my head in utter amazement. I couldn't believe it. Yes, the founder of the Black Artists Association, Amnau Eele, slammed Michelle Obama for not picking an African-American fashion designer for her inauguration dress. Here is what she said:"It's fine and good if you want to be all 'Kumbaya' and 'We Are the World' by representing all different countries. But if you are going to have Isabel Toledo do the inauguration dress, and Jason Wu do the evening gown, why not have Kevan Hall, B Michael, Stephen Burrows or any of the other black designers do something too?"I believe her criticism is completely undeserved. It really is.Not because Michelle Obama is above criticism (no one is) but because the First Lady will have 4 full years (hopefully 8 years) to showcase the artistry and radiance of African-American designers. Think of all the State Dinners at the White House. Think of all of the Democratic Party fundraisers. Think of all the international travel to continent after continent. You get my point? She’s going to have 365 chances each year to wear the digs of African-American designers in high-profile settings – and brag about to the press.I do believe there was an missed opportunity here. Ms. Amnau Eele, who leveled the criticism at Mrs. Obama, could have leveraged her position with the Black Artists Association to be a contact for The First Lady. You know, someone who could consult The First Lady about clothes and styles from both established and up-and-coming designers alike. Michelle Obama has a full staff, and a strong communications team in her office. So why not e-mail her? Why not fax her? Why not send her a nice card congratulating her on her beautiful dress, and letting her know that you’d like to recommend some designers for her next big event?I just don’t get it.Also, let me say this too: I really didn’t like the “be all 'Kumbaya' and 'We Are the World' by representing all different countries” part in Ms. Eele’s criticism either. This is a multicultural country. Latinos, Asian-Americans, Native-Americans, Arab-Americans, and young whites also voted in earth shattering numbers for President Obama. Not just because of him, but also because of his lovely, enterprising wife – a woman of incredible charisma and unimpeachable intellect, and, a woman who walks amongst dignitaries and heads of state without losing that COMMON TOUCH. She resonates with the nameless, faceless, voiceless millions who yearn for an empowered life outside of the shadows and margins of society. Indeed, her agenda (children, education, and military families) is animated by the hopes of the millions who follow and support her - including millions of black designers.Knocking The First Lady for choosing an Asian American designer and a Latino designer is very, very unfair. I don't believe for one second that the Obamas are going to leave African-American designers out in the cold. No one can convince me of that. I mean, of course Michelle Obama is going to wear dresses from black designers (she wears them throughout the year).Michelle Obama is going to continue to reach out to different racial and ethnic groups for designers with great styles. She has to. Her position as First Lady of The United States mandates that she speaks to both the color-specific differences that make us unique (because they exists and are real) as well as the color-neutral commonalities that bring us together. The current composition of this country demands it.But, I can't help wondering how things would have been if Ms. Eele said this instead: “I will continue to celebrate Michelle Obama’s wonderful, awe-inspiring style, and, through my group, and others, consistently suggest ways she can maintain that style through the creative visions of designers, representing the total richness of America’s racial and ethinic diversity. I want to help her in that process.”Why didn’t she say that instead?
2morrowknight is an internet strategist and community organizer who blogs at 2morrowknight.blogspot.com, and is author of a forthcoming children's book. You can follow him at Twitter.com/2morrowknight and friend him at Myspace.com/2morrowknight.
Hi There Family,
Well, it’s no secret the last two years of my life have been working to support Barack's vision this election cycle. Actually, it started with the simple act of including an excerpt from his DNC keynote speech in our 2004 home-made holiday card. Since then, I've run myself ragged, and broke. Projects, visibility events, and networking, to the point of serious burnout. But, hey! Yes we did. It was all worth it. Laura & I met him in person during the primaries, and again during the general election, which really helped keep us revitalized. So anyway, you could have guessed there’d be a NEED to make the pilgrimage to the Inauguration.
My friend Ruthie and I drove to Baltimore, and took the first MARC train at 5:29 am to Union Station, a couple blocks from the Capitol. While we could see the Capitol in front of us, getting there was a huge case of "Can’t get there from here". Security herded all cattle through a circuitous and convoluted path, though tunnels, and down streets devoid of visible landmarks, to the back end of Independence Mall, which took about 90 minutes.
We didn’t have tickets, and we wound up about 20 people deep from the beginning railing of the ticketless part of the Mall, in the media area between MSNBC’s broadcast booth, and a bleecher full of camera crews and photographers. Many in our area passed the time going wild for MSNBC’s panning boom camera, cheering for Rachel Maddow, Keith Olberman, and Chris Matthews, and being interviewed by various news anchors in the field. CBS interviewed us.
The cold was significant, but not sobering or intollerable. The wait for Barack, on the other hand, was a bit trying. Yes, it was all beautiful, but the pomp and circumstance of announced grand entrances, the likes of the Seaside Ladies Auxillary, and the janitor’s wife’s second cousin of Mahlia Obama’s school, kinda had people groaning. Speaking of such, yes, one could expect boos at the mention of George Bush, but HOLY COW! It was an ocean of boos, which segued into a mighty contagious roar of the Steam hit "Na Na Hey Hey, Kiss Him Goodbye".
Barack’s address, was characteristically moving and touching. Once again putting ideas back on the table, vision back on the shelves, and making reason the special of the day. Once again the message was one of community, dignity, empowerment, "better angels", and transparency. But this speech went further into the territory of healing division, taking the charge out of the illusions of difference, and emphasizing the common threads that run through all people. Unity was in the air. The ever so faint ineffible tensions due to race seemed palpably eased.
When the event ended, Ruthie & I split to indulge personal walkabouts. I gradually worked my way past multiple barricades and inconsistent security, to the foot of Barack’s podium on the Capitol steps. I wanted to see and absorb the detail that I couldn’t from far out in the Mall. It was definately effecting. So were the apparent safety measures. Barack’s podium was surrounded by bulletproof glass, with a steel camera platform between the podium and the direct line of sight from the Mall. It was when I moved to take a picture leaning against the podium, when some very serious camouflaged guards and Secret Service personnel intervened, instructing me with volume that the area was "locked down".
Earlier, those who attended the Inauguration in the Mall, were informed they would not be allowed street access to attend the Inaugural Parade, that the route was full to capacity. However, from my vantage point on the Capitol steps, I was able to casually circumvent the security, and wound up 2nd person deep near the beginning of the parade route. Security around Barack’s limo was intense. His car was flanked on all sides by "dummy" limos, and open vehicles piled with Secret Service personnel, tensely scanning and peering piercingly into the crowd. Through the tinted windows, I could see Michelle Obama and the girls waving. Barack was not to be seen.
All in all, I must say, that while security was stern and inflexible, they were also professional and occasionally friendly. I did not observe a single "incident" all day. When you consider there were roughly two million people present, that really says something, something positive, about a very positive event.
As night fell, we had no invitations to any of the Inaugural Balls, and really, we didn’t need any. Ruthie and I met up in the Smithsonian for a light dinner, and headed home around 8:15 pm. Talking on the train, we decided that the whole contentious movie of the election process is over, and we’re now ready to actually get down to accomplishing good things. Barack seems, more than ever, an organic conduit of a progressive movement who’s time has finally come. Let’s get to it. Better days are at hand. Wishing you All Good Things.
All Fired Up & Ready To Go,
Greg
Jasiri X is a Dope M.C.!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czDcBivYkH8
The Season Finale of This Week With Jasiri X, Season 2Each Episode Of "This Week With Jasiri X" features Your Hip-hop News Anchor Jasiri X reporting the National news over the hottest beats.For weeks Jasiri X has provided a rapidly growing internet audience with a most creative and interesting delivery of the weekly news. Using lyrical skills, controversial subject matter, and phat beats, Jasiri X shows and proves that real Hip-hop is not in the least bit dead.Chuck D of Public Enemy once boldly declared that "Hip-hop was the CNN of the ghetto", no artist has better embraced and embodied that concept than Jasiri X.
Train Ride to Hope(An Inauguration Day Poem)© J. Joy “Sistah Joy” Matthews Alford
A 7:30 A.M. train rideInaugurated by a commemorative fare cardBearing the likeness of a manWho believed in hope and changeMaybe the time had comeFor a nation whose yesterdaySpurned right at its own perilA nation that, despite dreams and visionsProclaimed before broad witness in light of dayRejected truth 'til civil disarray Dictated that only change could counter catastrophePerhaps this would be the train ride To usher that nationTo the dawn of a new day A sea of humanityLike ants, satellite images would depict dotsBlurred into huddles to become muddled massesI was proud to be one of the millionsKnowing I had neither ticket nor hope of Seeing anything more than jumbotrons I trudged onUnder the 3rd Street tunnelLoosing, early in the day, Beverly and Jayne, My comrades in armsBut I moved onThis is my hometown, I know this placePlacing phone calls of reassurance When intermittent phone service allowedI pressed onMoving from one undesignated Vantage point to anotherBoth the Blue Gate and the Silver Capital viewing areaWere inaccessibleBut how could they close The MallThe entire Mall? But my guardian angels were on it!Like the pride, yearning and desperate belief Of all who withstood the frigid coldEven the batteries of Chicky’s hand-held Neon orange radio knew not to fadeSylvia’s ungloved hand must have been frozen As she held the small prize just above our headsStanding behind me Jasmine asked if I could Move just a bit to the side So she too could hear We each prayed for a clear signalSylvia said a glove would restrict digital dexterityAs she deftly rotated the dial with precision Not chancing to miss a single word That would mark this moment in history So it was to beThis anointed neon orange electronic deviceClearly appointed by Divine providenceTo appear next to meWhether held in Sylvia’s hand or God’sDid the job of unseen jumbotrons The four of us fellowshipped and communedWe were from DC, Colorado and TexasSisters of different generations and racesSilently sharing tears as Aretha sangSharing hugs and hopes as we listenedTo introductions, oaths and speeches Believing the words we heardOn a small radio would take usBeyond Metro stops, Malls and trainsKnowing that on this day Hope had transported a people To a place where they believedThat the time for change had come
As I predicted, a great speech, and imo, one of the best inauguration speeches ever. Not quite as good as Lincoln II, but better by a long shot that Lincoln I (where he came out in favor of continuing slavery).But as I reflect on it, all of the focus, before and after, was on if it would be a great speech, or only a mediocre speech. Would it be as good as Lincoln's Second Inaugural, or only as good as his First?Where was the discussion of the speech itself- of how it impacted us individually, and how it changed us? After all, that is the point of a speech. Not to get up there and win an award, but to persuade and change people. Was his only goal to get up there and live up to expectations? Or was it to lay out something new, and begin to move the ball forward? That was his goal, but I think so many pundits were focused on the pure rhetoric, that they missed the purity.I challenge you now, if you haven't done so before, to go back and listen to the short 18 minute speech, and truly listen to it, and allow yourself to be impacted.
"We reject as false, the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our founding fathers faced with perils that we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to ensure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedient's sake. And so, to all the other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village in which my father was born, know that America is a friend of each nation, and every man, woman, & child who seeks a future of peace & dignity, and we are ready to lead once more."
I witnessed history....
And if i could put it in to words it would help. The mood in the air was one of hope and safety, in a crowd of almost 4 million I felt safe, I felt like we were a family. Everyone came together to support President Obama and Vice President Biden and I can honestly say yes it did bring tears to my eyes you may see that as funny but its beautiful to see all these people striving for the same thing in the same place is amazing and it is something that i would never change for the world. There was a point where a little girl got lost and everyone in the area i was in was yelling her name to find her, seeing and hearing and being part of thousands of strangers coming together to help a mother many of us didnt know was one thing that amazed me. Looking back at this opportunity I have had I am greatful and proud at the desicion that my country made in choosing its leader.I walked 5-7 miles through D.C and let me tell you it was more than worth it. As a teen who is unable to vote, many people look at my intrest in politics as funny or ironic. Yet, this year i got envolved in the election seeing my country get to the point it is in now I felt I had no choice than be involved. Being at the Inauguration of our 44th President and seeing that I was not alone in feeling the need for change and knowing that it was finally possible brought me hope for my generation, the ones before me and the generations to come. It's time for change, and change has come. YES WE CAN!
… As I migrated towards the Lincoln Memorial for the Opening Ceremony, I became amerced in a sea of people flowing rhythmically towards what some envision as a symbolic crusade. As I observed a well organized ceremony, my attention was often unconsciously interrupted to marvel at my surroundings of a micro-dynamic of what constitutes America. Once again…as I previously witnessed the “mending and uniting of the souls of America” in the eyes of its people at the Democratic Convention in Denver 2007, so I saw on this day, and days to follow… the “inauguration of The United States of America”. The inauguration of Barack Obama on January 20, 2009 invoked awareness and a force of unity that I once witnessed during the atrocity of 911. This truly was the “Rebirth of Democracy” as the voices of the people resounded at our nation’s capitol supportive of “CHANGE”. And so… we must, and shall do our part in support of said “change”. Congratulations President Barack Obama! Congratulations America!
On Tuesday, January 20th, 2009, my aunt and I got up early in the morning to head to the Inauguration from the 16th street apartment that we were staying in. We had purple tickets. When we reached 1st and D, the officer told us that this was the line for purple ticket holders so my aunt and I went to get in line. This line went up D street to 3rd street and then turned left into the 3rd street tunnel. Now my aunt and I were excited so we didn't mind being in the long line or the cold. We just knew that we were going to be able to see Sen. Barack Obama be sworn into office as the 1st African American President of the United States of America.
While standing in line we met a group of very nice young ladies who were Obama staffers. We were all just standing in line, talking, laughing, have a good time and bearing with the cold. Every so often the line would move up some and we would inch our way closer and closer to the tunnel opening. As time went on we could see more and more people coming into the tunnel. Some people had purple tickets and some didn't. Sadly, some people started to jump the line.
Now, most of these people where just getting to the area while the rest of us had been standing in line since 4-5am that morning. So as a group we formed a tight line to prevent people from cutting into the line. To make a long story short, most of us including myself and my aunt did not make it into the Inauguration. Supposedly, we were forgotten about.
My question to you all is, "If you were a Purple Ticket holder and you did not make it into the Inauguration, please respond or if you know more info about what happened, please respond." Now, I am not saying that this was President Obama or Vice President Biden's fault. I would just like to reconnect with the people that were involved in this situation. Thanks you all and please have a great day.
"It's not some perfect ideal we're working toward that keeps us going...I don't expect to see perfection before I die... What keeps you going isn't some fine destination but just the road you're on, and the fact that you know how to drive. You keep your eyes open, you see this damned-to-hell world you got born into, and you ask yourself,"What life can I live that will let me breathe in & out and love somebody or something and not run off screaming into the woods."
History. Change. Innovation. Barack Obama has made the commitment to officially represent the American people and the ideals of change. On January 20, 2009, President Barack Obama took his oath and did not waiver in anything promised thus far. Being on the National Mall as a volunteer and being part of a most historical event was inspiring. Change is a collective effort. Seeing the thousands of people of all nationalities, ethnicities, and social backgrounds was exactly what this country stands for: a melting pot of hope, dreams, and prosperity when the collective people believe.
This Inauguration and presidential term is not just about the first african-american (black man) taking office. It is not just about overcoming adversity for minorities. It is more about a man with a passion and a mission to restore the very truths this country was built on: people, visibility, fairness, justice and an even distribution of power and responsibility. People of all backgrounds, people with freedom, people with a voice, people with determination, people seeking the best of their government because they know Democracy is a means to represent all without an overbearing hand. I am proud to be an American and proud to see a man make history because he believes in making a change.
My best to President Brack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and the body of the American people that will be part of a positive future.
NOTE: This post is both on my Xanga site and my smaller blog at Kizyr for Obama.
Last Tuesday, there were more people in Washington than I've ever seen in my life. It was a larger crowd than I've ever seen in my life. And what's more, nearly every single person there in the crowd was happy.
I knew it was a day that'd go down in history, so crowds, cold, and closed metro stations weren't going to stop me from seeing it. My sister flew in from Nashville to see this, and the two of us along with some of my coworkers went into the city to see what we could.
Fortunately, no camping out was necessary. We left around 8AM and, after some reverse-metro rides we managed to get to Gallery Place, walk all the way around the White House and parade route, and find a spot near the Washington Monument. In all, we walked something like 7-8 miles that day (check the route above).
This is a fantastic tribute to President Obama's Inaugural Speech! Click on below and
spread the word.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAdA636rxfw
The night of the 20th, we played back our favorite recording of the day, and acted as if it was real-time, not allowing any tipoffs from our various elated friends who played hooky and watched in real-time on this pivotal day. K, Reed, and I sat glued to the tv, watching the buildup of the inauguration, claps, boos, arms waving in statement, eventually laughing, crying, dancing took place in our little time capsule of a living room. Between their regal yet humble expressions, to the concise and timely words of the world's state, openly acknowledged for all to realize, this binds a new set of neural connections. Then a level of determination-confidence-hope which I've never felt firsthand coming from the highest office...has modified...Previously not a flag guy, I am currently spangled and waving inside. I`·.,,.·'CAN`·.,,.·'PICTURE`·.,,.·'BARACK`·.,,.·'And `·.,,.·'MICHELLE`·.,,.·'AND`·.,,.·'DAUGHTERS`·.,,.·'AS`·.,,.·'US They are for our ideals, they are from our times, their minds work on our levels, technical colleagues, inspirational beings. For the first time we feel the best part of this democracy. Here's our president taking a train trip! We know how it is...safe and intimate at the same time ;-)
We had just traversed the US as a family on the California Zephyr, through the Sierra Nevadas, Great Basin National Parks, Rocky Mountains across the Misissippi River where the Bald Eagles are holding their glorious comeback all the way to Chicago, the source of the energy which started this all.Then back again by rail, the way it will be in the future, seeing our nation in a new, proud way.
Great memories combined with new memories, we feel like we are so much part of these events of the last two months! Now we are ready to pull along on this ride. http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/the_whistle_stop_tour/ Hope, Care, Effort, Connections, Empathetic and Vicarious experiences on a grand scale, Can leed to great deeds, by us all. t, k & r.
So I'm at a UMBC basketball game on Saturday night January 17th and I get this phone call from a friend in the Inaugural Committee. He asks me if I want to go to the concert, says he has a staff pass for me. I'm like: totally dude! So we make arrangements for me to come to his house at 8am on Sunday to get the pass.
8am Sunday...the phone rings "Where are you?" he asks. Oops, I overslept. "Well get you butt to DC now if you are not here by 1pm somebody else will use the pass." So I quickly dress and head down - driving, mind you. As I get closer, he tells me he wants me to meet another staffer at his house.
This guy is in a meeting and suggests by text that I park in Union Station and wait for him there, where it is warm. I find the station and find a parking spot. It is now 10:30 and we are supposed to meet at 12:30, with the concert starting at 2pm.
I read the paper and finally get some lunch. I text'd him again and he says he'll be there soon. I'm starting to get worried then I get a call and he says "Wave your hands!" and I do, and he comes over. Adrienne is his name. He introduces me to Dan who he says will escort me to the event. It turns out that I could not use the staff pass because it required matching hard creds, so they are holding a volunteer pass for me at the gate.
After an unepectedly long train ride we arrive on 23rd. We are supposed to meet at 23rd and Constitution, so we are running to make it. The mags were going to close! We get there, and there is no pass. Dan has 2 blackberries going at the same time but we can't get in touch with this person who has the pass.
Dan finallyl goes through security in the press/Congressional entry point to find her. At 1:59 he hands the pass to me through the gate. As I start to enter, a cop says "Sorry, we are shut down!" I looked at him and said "Please, I've been waiting here for a long time!" A woman cop agrees, and the cop says "GO!" The woman cop helped tie the pass to my hoodie, she was so nice!
I go through the mag as the National Anthem is starting to be played.
Wow. My heart was pounding. What if I'd not been able to get in?
So I go up and ask a security person where I can go. They looked at my pass and said "Anywhere you want but the Podium."
So I went to the Congressional Seating Area and stood with some press and Secret Service who were guarding the Congresspeople. About 150 feet from the stage!
The concert was amazing. Lots of celebrities giving speeches. U2 and Bono - WOW! Stevie Wonder, Shakira and Usher! I bought a T shirt with all the performers on the back, and my I HEART PRESIDENT OBAMA hat.
I was able to make my way back on the subway with no problem. I ended up using the same trains for the swearing in, so this was good practice.
A special thanks to PIC 2009 and Michael, Dan and Adrienne. You guys all rock!
Pictures are on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=15943&id=1189561977&saved
I got the tickets to Suzi Gerace and Angeline Watts by overnight mail. Charles came to my condo in Baltimore and picked his up, although we planned to meet on the Metro train at 5:30am. We did end up on the same train but opposite ends, so we just stayed put until we got to Metro Center and our transfer to the Blue line to the Federal Center SW station.
I heard from Angeline about 5:45 they were in position. I had set up a spot a little away from where I thought people would be to meet, and it worked out perfectly. After a few minutes, we were all together! I stopped and bought some snacks and water then we headed for the Silver Gate. The line wasn't bad we were maybe a block from the gate but it was cold.
I had brought along left over T-shirts and rally signs and stickers, so I had a lot of fun handing those out. I think people thought I was selling them but eventually, I handed out the last sign.
We were in line until about 7:30 when they opened the outer gate, earlier than the 8am published time. It felt good to be moving!
Security was pretty simple: they frisked you and checked your bag. I did not see anybody being hassled at all. We got to keep the tickets, also. We were in our designated area by 8:30, and quite dissapointed: we could barely see the Jumbotron!
There were two green plastic fences keeping us from the sidewalk around the Reflecting Pool. It only took a few minutes before the crowd breeched the fist fence. The police did not seem alarmed. This got us slightly better views but still not that good.
Not long afterwards, the 2nd fence came down, and we swarmed around the Pool closer now to the Capitol. Charles and I went to the right but lost Suzi and Angeline. I decided to go find them and I did. I suggested we try to closer to the Jumbotron so at least we could see it that way. We worked our way over and got right in front of it, plus there were porta potties there, which was good. The wind blowing off the Pool was incredibly COLD. The wind chill was said to be 15 degrees.
Charles stayed put and the crowd ultimately pushed further up in front of the Ulysses Grant memorial with a clear view of everything. We hated being separated but by this time (about 10am) the crowd had grown considerably. Looking back down the Mall, it was a sea of people and looked like a throbbing red something.
The Marine band started playing and finally about 11:30 they started introducing people. They introduced every member of Congress I think - I swear, we were freezing our butts off and could care less. WHERE IS OBAMA?
When Joe Lieberman came down the steps, he got boo-ed BIG TIME. BOO! BOO! The crowd went crazy then we all started laughing. What a jerk. Then came Cheney in his wheelchair. Hurt himself moving out of the VP mansion. LOL. What a jerk! He got boo-ed too, but not as loud. I kept wondering if they were going to bounce him down the steps. We shouted: push him!
Finally, Bush came out. He got boo-ed too, but more respectfully. I learned that CNN blocked the sound when we boo-ed Bush, that figures. He heard it though, you could see his reaction. BOO! No more Dumb Presidents! BOO! BOO! BOO! BOO! BOO! BOO!
O-BAM-A!
OMG! When his motorcade came up the driveway, WE WENT NUTS! The roar from behind us in the Mall was incredible. Our President was in the Capitol.
Finally, the moment came for Biden. We cheered. Yes, we can. I loved it when Obama picked Biden. Great choice, very dignified man.
Then ... Obama took the oath. I can't belive Roberts screwed up the oath. You could see Obama visibly react - he knew the oath! Anyway, everybody was hugging everybody else and screaming. It was so moving. Especially when you consider that some of us gave up practically everything to work on the campaign those last months and weeks. To have worked so hard and come to this moment was simply amazing. There are no words to adequately describe it.
As Obama gave his AWESOME speech, we were so totally frozen we could barely concentrate. But when he said some of those things, we yelled. We screamed. We could not feel our feet despite having warmers in there - but we stood our ground.
After the speech, we headed back to the Federal Center SW Metro station. You could barely move it was a sea of people, and the rest of the fences came down, people were just walking right over them. It probably took 45 minutes to walk the 3 or 4 blocks and then we discovered there had been an accident so the subways were backed up. In fact, there was no possible way to even get into the station, so we decided to go find some food.
Bad idea. No restaurants at all! We were cold, tired and hungry.
Suzi decided to call her cousin Johny to ask him for suggestions. He said "hold on, I'll come get you and you can eat with us, we are having a party!"
The man actually drove to get us. Then after we were settled into his mini van and had some hot coffee and an apple, he said "Oh, we have to wait for the other 8 people." Eight? Where are they going to sit? He just smiled. We sat in the middle of M street with total chaos going on around us and waited. Sure enough, about 8 people including 4 more adults showed up.
Believe it or not, we got all 12 people into this mini van and off we went. We were laughing so hard it hurt, and held up an OBAMA sign and screamed at the people in the street. One man offered us $100 for a ride, but like, where would HE sit?
It was a couple of miles to his house, and we were mighty glad to get out of that van! We went in and first thing they did was bring us all a beer. Talk about grateful! Then they started bringing out food: lasagna, chili, sandwiches, chips, veggies, OMG. We ate like we'd never eaten before, while watching the parade on TV.
I thanked them and headed for a Metro station. I figured if I could get back over to MD before the parade ended, I'd be OK. And that turned out to be true. I was back to my truck about 5:30pm and home by 7pm. What a day. What memories. Wish you could have been with me!
Pictures are presently posted on Facebook:
YES WE CAN. OBAMA!
She recalls prediction of Creole president
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
By Jonathan Tilove
WASHINGTON -- The inauguration Tuesday of Barack Obama as president of the United States was a matter of personal vindication for Sandra Booker.
Booker, 42, was in the fifth grade at John A. Shaw Elementary School when she announced her ambition to her social studies class.
"I said, 'I am going to grow up to marry the president of the United States,' " Booker recalled. "Without hesitation, my teacher informed me, 'No, you will never be the wife of a president because there will not be a black president of the United States.'
But, when Booker got home -- she grew up in the 8th Ward at Florida and St. Roch avenues -- her grandmother, Mattie Pendleton Pryor Johnson, who lived with her, assured her that her teacher was wrong.
Johnson, who died in 1998 at the age of 102, told Booker that there would be a black president in her lifetime. Booker said she believed her, absolutely.
Actually, Booker recalled, her grandmother, who was descended from gens du couleur -- free people of color -- actually predicted that Booker would live to see a Creole president.
And while Booker considers the use of Creole an antique reference to the intense competition for racial hierarchy within the black community, her grandmother, she said, was onto something in describing a future president who was not simply black or white, "who could stand on both sides of the neutral ground and understand both sides."
Booker, an accomplished jazz singer in Los Angeles, said she and her sister, Janice Peters, 41, who lives in Gentilly and works as a cashier at the Home Depot, attended the inauguration on behalf of their grandmother and great-grandmother, Victoria Briscoe Pendleton.
Booker worked as a campaign volunteer in October 2007 at an Obama appearance at Garfield High School in East Los Angeles, setting up chairs and getting water.
"After he was done, I just felt compelled to talk to him," she said. "I ignored the fact that he was flanked by Secret Service. I yelled out, 'Don't forget about New Orleans.' "
As Obama approached, Booker recited the litany of New Orleans' gifts to the nation: jazz, the second-line, gumbo. "I started to break down and cry," she said. Obama approached, consoling her. " 'Don't cry,' he said. He took me literally in his arms. 'It's OK. Should I become president' -- that rang in my ear -- 'I assure you I won't forget." '
Even though Booker and Peters had tickets for the inauguration and traveled a very long way to be there, they were unable to make their way past the security and barricades to see the swearing-in and inaugural address. They watched it as best they could on a far distant Jumbotron TV screen.
It did not matter, Booker said. They knew why they were there. They had fulfilled their mission. They had achieved their catharsis. "We stood there, held each other and cried."
. . . . . . .
Jonathan Tilove can be reached at jtilove@timespicayune.com or 202.383.7827.
http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/washington/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1232518857258160.xml&coll=1
