Welcome Obama to the Presidency. It felt like the day would never come
– and now you’ve been the head of my nation for 1 week. Wow. What a
week it’s been with policy making and turning Washington on it’s Ear.
I do hope you keep up the good work, and that the honeymoon turns out
to be more than just a honeymoon.
Now that I finally have all the Inauguration Party pictures up on Flickr,I thought I’d add a few of them here, along with my memories of the event from Berlin.
First off – it was held at the Goya:
which is a former 1920’s movie theater that’s now been converted into a nightclub.
We
started lining up at 4PM for the doors to open at 4:30PM.
Unfortunately, as with most Democrats Abroad Events, this was as
disorganized as ever – and the doors did not actually open until 5:15
PM. By this time, the lines were around the block – and not moving
very fast:
For
comparison – the Goya is up and around the corner. The security was
tight – because of the American Embassy throwing a bi-partisan party,
and over 1500 people were expected to attend. At one point, we looked
at our watches and realized that we had less than 15 minutes until the
18:00 Inauguration was supposed to start. I was getting irritated (and
wasn’t the only one) because we had arrived with plenty of time – and
was concerned about missing it. At nearly the last possible minute,
Nancy (and a couple organisers) came out and said that they were going
to start hurrying the line in to make sure that people got in. It was
at that time that the line started moving quicker – security started
inspecting down the line instead of just at the door….
With
just 5 minutes to spare, we got our tickets (front and back pictured
below), and our hand stamp with the Obama logo – and were inside.
Not
long after, we realized we were packed into a room with lots of people
there to witness history – not just Americans – but Germans, Italians,
and lots of other nationalities – who all were wanting to watch the
“history” in the making.
As we stood at the back of the room,
I immediately started looking around. The first thing I noticed, other
than the massive amount of Media and Press people, was this poor guy
standing there with a laptop balanced precariously in one hand, the
other holding the cables tightly attached to keep them from being
trampled and/or pulled out during the “show”. This was the first “live
stream” of a Presidential Inauguration – and his computer was the one
from which the ENTIRE thing was being received and sent – onto the big
screen we were watching – from CNN. (How tired his arms must have been
by the end!). I thought this was particularly impressive – because of
Obama beng a very tech-savvy president, the wave of young that kept in
touch with his every move via youtube and the internet – and how well
we were all co-ordinated and moved into position by email. It really
says how far we’ve come:
Not
long after, started the introductions, for which we all cheered. Then
was the Pastor Rick Warren. The room was completely silent as Rick
started his prayer…
At
the very end, just as Rick Warren asked for the blessing and said
“Amen”, the crowd stood, not sure whether to cheer. It was at that
moment, that a single male voice from one of the balconies shouted out “FUCK YOU RICK WARREN!” and
everyone cheered – not because of Pastor Warren – but despite him. Why?
Because the guy who said “F-you” said what we all were thinking.
Sometimes it takes baby steps, but … (I guess I still don’t
understand why we can’t love each other as we are – gay or straight –
and why the Christian right feels the need to do what they do…. we
still have a long way to go for “true” equality for all… but that’s
for another blog…)
Then came the swearing in of Joe Biden, and
we once again cheered. Next up was singing from Aretha (what an UGLY
hat!), and a beautiful set of music.
And
then, during the music, high (12) noon in the US was struck. Despite
not having been sworn in yet, the Constitution said that Obama was
President. His term has begun. The George Bush Years were over – and a
new era had started. When the word went up on CNN, everyone cheered,
hugged, and some people were wiping their eyes. It made me smile, but
I was still waiting – because it still seemed surreal.
Finally
it was Obama’s Turn. He took the oath, the Justice and he messed up
the words, and we all chuckled. At last, someone who’s just a little
bit “human”, and had a case of the nerves. Yep, this is the man we
“knew”, and who we had heard inspire us for the last 2 years. As the
swearing in ended, it hit me – really hit me.
Relief, Happiness, Hope, Pride, Amazement, Awe, and Relief again.
We
have accomplished something so big – that in that moment – in that
second, as Obama was pronounced the leader of the USA, the world’s
superpower, I began to weep. It’s been a long long time – Hallelujah! I
know I wasn’t the only one who felt that way – the crowd around me
hugged, kissed, and cheered until they were hoarse, while fisting the
sky, high 5’ing and waving American flags:
The lights in the room went on (red, white, and blue)
and Obama started his speech. For a single moment, I had to have my
photo taken (Obama’s on the screen behind me) to commemorate the fact
that I was there, watching history – from halfway across the world – in
Germany, a country where I had sought some kind of refuge and peace –
from the George Bush era.
Maybe
soon, I can feel like I can go home, be welcomed, and approve of what
my government would do as a Citizen of the World. Until then, I’m
happy, and I’m pleased because all I volunteered days and days for, all
I hoped for, and all I myself and others abroad wanted to accomplish
was officially, completely done. Now it was time to Celebrate with my
friends and volunteers.
Jocelyn, Me, Hilary
Cody,Hilary, Alex
All for Obama, and Voting Abroad.
YES, WE CAN!
YES, WE DID!
