Inauguration Journal: Tuesday

 

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We're back home in Alexandria, warmed by a hot bath, a few glasses of celebratory wine, my brother-in-law's delicious shepherd's pie.

I really don't know what to say about the day. For me, it was all about being in that enormous crowd -- a crowd that represented the other America, the America that has felt imprisoned and betrayed by the last eight years.

The TV coverage, apparently, didn't show what really happened: when Bush was introduced, a "boo" arose from all those millions of people that must have been completely audible; it was extremely loud. And when his helicopter lifted off, a cheer arose along with millions of uplifted arms, waving goodbye, (quite a few, I'd say, with middle finger raised) -- all the length of the Mall. I was a little surprised, and didn't participate in the booing, but it was not so much rudeness as it was a spontaneous shucking off of a tremendous burden and source of despair, and an acknowledgment that this man never represented us, he was not of us, and Obama is clearly someone entirely other. The day for me was all about being part of that tremendous crowd who felt that America was being taken back, repossessed, by the people who have felt so disenfranchised all this time. Their presence, and the fact that they had traveled so far to be there, was not just a  personal desire but also a statement to the world that there actually is another American spirit, and it's still alive.

We were quite close -- in front of the reflecting pool, close enough to see the people speaking at the podium but not to identify them, and able to look back and see the throngs on the Mall - absolutely astounding. I went back and forth between watching the real thing at the Capitol and watching the television screen.

And man, it was cold! And what a long walk it was back home - I am aching - we walked all the way back from the Capitol to Arlington, across the Potomac past the Pentagon because the crowds were so huge
and the buses so non-functional. Getting there, and getting through security, was pretty easy.

But as for processing the day further, understanding my own feelings, and writing something deeper -- that is going to have to wait a day or two.J. took a great many pictures and we'll be posting the best of them on a linked website soon. Tomorrow we travel back home, so look for something here on Thursday.

I can tell you this: today I was very proud to be American.

Comments

[Marja-Leena]

I was looking for you in that crowd, Beth, as I watched it all on TV. I sure did not hear that boo either. It was quite inspiring seeing all those people and of course Obama and his family.

[jo(e)]

How wonderful that you were able to be there!

[elizabeth]

oh Beth, I'd wish I'd known you were there, would have tried to meet you at some point (though it would probably have been impossible)--still, I'm delighted to know we crossed paths, sort of, in all those millions of people.

[Lucy]

Good to follow you through it Beth.

I wonder if that was why Cheney was in that wheelchair, so thay could shuffle him off in a hurry and he didn't have to descend the steps; we rather hoped they'd bump him down them very hard!

[Jean]

It was lovely knowing that you two were there, among the huge crowds. What a day!

Lucy, I read somewhere that Dick Cheney hurt his back while moving boxes in the rush to move out. I am not proud of the smile I was unable to stifle.

[Pica]

Beth, these accounts have been wonderful. Hope your achiness has subsided!

[Fred Garber]

I am really enjoying your posts about the Inauguation!

[Anna]

Hurray for Obama; and the civil rights movement! I cried to see John Lewis (SNCC) on the podium and getting to his feet, clapping, when Obama made reference to the segregated South... I thought of all those young Americans, black and white, who literally put their bodies on the line and brought down a bi-racial system... I hope there was/will be a major reception in their honour.

As a non-American, it was so heart-warming to hear an acknowledgement of huge mistakes made: mistakes that made America such a hard country to like over the past decade. I am so relieved to feel able to engage again: to see America at its best. (And he's so handsome!)

[Kaycie]

I have thoroughly enjoyed your inauguration posts. I thought about you while I watched on the television. Those boos were certainly not picked up by the broadcast I saw. I look forward to more.

[Dave]

Jean, some bloggers more cynical than I have suggested the story about hurting his back was bogus, that he simply didn't want to have to stand for a man he destested. I wouldn't put it past him. so glad to see him and the frat boy gone, and hear the new president's first press conference announcing new accountability and transparency measures and a return to the rule of law. If he can do that, I will forgive him for a whole lot of other things - though I realize that's setting the bar kind of low!

[Pat]

OH! I didn't know you were going. How wonderful!

When last I talked with my favorite secretary here at work, she was all excited about going to a ball her church was sponsoring here in Atlanta. But, she didn't show up for work on Tuesday... turns out her uncle called from Alabama and said, "Get in the car!" She didn't even pack and forget her cell. But, twenty-five members of her family were there from all directions and in many vehicles. As I watched Tuesday in amazement at the turnout, I felt giddy - No one invited these people - they are just showing up! The way you just show up to your home... from all over we just came. It makes my heart burst.

[Robb]

Kia ora Beth,
Thank you so much for this series, and for taking me, vicariously, on this wonderful journey. As you wrote, a day I was very proud to be and feel like an American even though I live elsewhere.
Aroha
Robb

[Cat B]

Thanks so much for the eyewitness account, Beth. Such amazing feelings we all have, even folks like me born and bred in Canada but now American. I join you in feeling pride in this country. I always believed that the majority of the people here are on the side of peace and compassion. Thank God for the internet—the 'real' press certainly let us down. Change has come.

[FrScott]

Checking in here, being thankful, thinking how strange it is that my most trusted web-friend is also from Alexandria and that she didn't go (i.e., walk to the Mall through whatever neighborhoods she would have had to travel...silly!) out of fear. Mulling things over and being thankful for you both.

[Barbara]

Wonderful Beth ...I watched the inaugural ceremony at tea time here in Edinburgh, Scotland and for the first time ever felt hopeful and moved about an American President ...and fearful of that hope being dashed as it was with Tony Blair ...and again for the first time ever I almost wished I was American.