Mountainair Arts: Inauguration Day 2009

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Inauguration Day 2009

This is news everybody on the planet already knows - and possibly other galaxies as well. I'm watching the packed crowds in DC there to be part of the day and waiting for the ceremonies. All inaugurations are but this one more than most. The last one I really watched and remember best (the rest something of a blur) was JFK in 1961. Mr Morvant brought a tv to American History class and told us we were watching American history. The first Catholic president. Big deal in Catholic Cajun country. Rapt, we listened to Kennedy tell us, "ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country" and then tell us about his plans for the Peace Corps. We all wanted to go.

Living our lives thereafter, history, much of it televised, happened along the way, assassinations,.wars, 1st man walking on the moon, We all stayed up to watch those 1st steps - waking up the children to come see so someday they could say they saw the first man walk on the moon - but had to keep poking them so they would stay awake

Another must-witness is upon us but at least in the daytime. We're watching. Live streaming coverage is everywhere. The inauguration is even an MTV event. Type "inauguration" into Google and 28,700,000 results come up. 11,500,000 for "Obama inaguration." Too many even for skimming. Wherever you sit on the political spectrum, however you voted, today is a historic day.

Although born in the uppermost part of NY state (north of Ithaca & Watertown), I spent many growing up years in the Deep South and witnessed segregation, evil codified into the legal system, in all its many & soul-destroying uglinesses. Such memories, for good or ill, shape whoever lives them.

At 10, I would sit in the back of buses (after being told not to) despite looks from conductor, driver and white passengers. This was not from any sense of doing something for a cause or taking a stand on principle. Even then I did not know my place and could not abide being told where to sit or who to associate with. More memories keep surfacing today. So many that I would hug and dance with are no longer, so it is up to me to hug their memories and dance for them.

We hoped for change but found it hard to believe in. I have few illusions about deep transformations being complete - but I can believe they are underway. Then there are the other travails and challenges ahead. For now, let us watch history, mark the day. It's another moon walk.... sit back and watch it.

INAUGURATION IMAGES: D.C. Webcams