I was one of the 2 million people at our nation's Capitol today to celebrate the inauguration of Barack Hussein Obama. It was thrilling, freezing, crowded, exciting, and uncomfortable. I could go on and on about my discomfort - waiting 2 hours in line, freezing despite multiple layers and boots, frightening, pushing crowds, fearsome toilets (unused by me), and the overwhelming feeling of - whoa I think I just saw my hat on the replay on C-SPAN! Anyway, this day was not about me, so I'll move on to something else.
I thought the ceremony was great because it was simple, short but not too short, with poetry and music incorporated, and prayer. While more faith-inclusive prayers would have been nice (maybe a reading by a Rabbi?) I thought the words were humbling and guiding. While the mild boos of the crowd indicated the controversy surrounding the choice of Rev. Rick Warren, of the Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., to give the convocation, I judge his words not his character.
The performance by Itzhak Perlman (Violin), Yo-Yo Ma (Cello), Gabriela Montero (Piano), Anthony McGill (Clarinet) was incredible! So beautiful and appropriate for the occasion. I think Christina Aguilera could have done a better job of singing "My Country Tis of Thee" but Aretha Franklin has the legacy if not the voice anymore. The poem read and written by Elizabeth Alexander was not as good as Robert Frost's "The Gift Outright" read at JFK's inaugural, but I did like these lines:
Some live by "Love thy neighbor as thy self."
Others by first do no harm, or take no more than you need.
Beautiful, simple and true. I do think most poets lack the performance skills to be the best readers of their poetry.The benediction by Rev. Joseph Lowry was really hard to hear, but he is 87. I had a really moving encounter on my walk home. As I was waiting to cross 14th street, I chatted with an elderly man with a walker. I noticed that he wore a cap that said "Tuskegee Airman" and I felt the significance of the moment for him, and for history. He symbolized the change in America - from a time when the armed forces were segregated (how is that possible?) to the realization of the dream of racial equality. I couldn't understand much of what he said because he didn't have teeth, but I saw him smile and talk about the cold. Good Lord, a ninety-year-old man braving the cold, alone, to witness the parade or the inauguration. It speaks volumes. That was a moment of grace for me - when I could see outside my pain and discomfort and witness the truth unadulterated by tv cameras and pat phrases. If I hadn't had to walk home because of the insanely crowded metro, then I wouldn't have met him. We slowly crossed the street together and then wished each other adieu.
I'm really jealous that I can't go to an inaugural ball.
I was so cold that I may have nodded off during Obama's address.
It was really cool that Justice John Paul Stevens administered the oath of office to Vice-President Biden. He is my hero. If I were being inducted I would want JPS to do it.
Who else thinks that Beau Biden is hot? Me too.
ps - for those not in the know, the Tuskegee Airmen were a segregated unit of 1,000 African-American pilots and crew trained to fight in World War II. All 330 airmen were invited to the inauguration by Senator Dianne Feinstein. (Rock on, Dianne!) I salute the Tuskegee Airmen and all the members of the armed services, living and dead, who fought for our country.
