Inaugruation Day Los Angeles

"In no other country on earth is my story even possible"

____Barack Obama

I woke with a smile on my face knowing that this was the day I had been looking forward to for two years. The inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44^th President of the United States of America.

First thing... straight to TV, switch on CNN for full coverage. I down a glass of tangerine juice and dress while watching the Obama’s leave Blair House to attend a church service at St. John's Episcopal Church.

In my car, my favorite jazz station is playing Oh Happy Day by Ramsay Lewis, followed by Shortly Rogers America the Beautiful. Great. Perfect. Everyone is in a joyous mood.

First stop, my local bagel shop. I’m wearing my “We Did It” Obama shirt. The Latina woman behind the counter comments on my shirt and tells me, in heavily accented English, what a wonderful day it is for everyone in the world.

Munching my sour dough bagel, I move on to the Marriott Hotel in Manhattan Beach, where I’ll watch the swearing in with the South Bay for Obama group. These are people who I’ve watched debates and worked phone banks with for the last two years. The lobby is full of well wishers. There is a holiday mood. A feeling of anticipation, excitement. A group of us gather at the bar, someone brings in coffee, and we share stories, and congratulate ourselves for helping get this man elected.

The ceremony begins with Diane Feinstein’s welcoming remarks, Rick Warren gives the invocation. Frankly, in my opinion, this is the low point of the day. His talk is too long and ponderous. I don’t like the idea that he closes with The Lords Prayer. To me this is not inclusive. Many people watching and cheering this election are not of the Christian faith. This election is about including everyone and I feel that this prayer is not appropriate, but I’m not going to talk to anyone about it or let it put a damper on this great day.

Aretha Franklin sings "My Country 'Tis of Thee". A smiling Joe Biden is sworn in. There is a musical selection played by Itzhak Perlman , Yo-Yo Ma , Gabriela Montero and Anthony McGill.

Then it’s time… the moment we have all worked, waited and hoped for. The swearing in. People have tears in their eyes as Barack raises his hand to take the oath. Michelle holds the Lincoln Bible. Chief Justice John Roberts gives the oath, and Barack starts to repeat it .. Then stops, smiles and gives the Chief Justice a small nod… Justice Roberts has made a mistake! He corrects the mistake, and Barack completes the oath. It’s done! Wow, it feels good to be able to say “President Obama”.

His speech is everything we hoped for, eloquent, and hopeful. I notice that when he turns a certain way, sun hitting the flag pin in his lapel makes a star flashe off the pin. I keep my camera focused on that pin hoping to get a shot of the star. It’s a sign. Yes, he’s a star, he is someone special. He is our leader.

The benediction by Rev. Joseph E. Lowery is great .. I love his closing lines, “we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around ---when yellow will be mellow --- when the red man can get ahead, man -- and when white will embrace what is right.”

I snap a few photos and head to my next stop. I want to go by the Church in Ocean Park to talk to people and do some photos of their festivities.

Approaching the Church I see two older African American women who have just watched the ceremony. With huge smiles, they tell me, “It’s a miracle”, “I never thought I’d see this day.”

The Church is decorated with home made signs and a large banner with notes from children and adults. Coffee, juice, muffins, and home made dishes are offered on a buffet table. You can feel the joy. Santa Monica resident, Chris Orr tells me “It’s like Christmas and New Years rolled into one, this will change everyone’s lives”.

Next on my agenda is the World Café Inauguration Bash. I want to visit as many different venues as possible. Talk to people from different walks of life. The World Café is walking distance from the church but a world apart. The church was founded in 1898 and has a reputation for local social activism. The World Café, is more of an upscale hip hangout for young professionals.

Walking the two blocks, strangers smile and comment on what a great day this is. Imagine that .. Strangers smiling and talking to you…. Yes, change has come.

The World Café is buzzing. People are posing for photos with a full size cut out of President Obama.. Lunch and drinks are flowing. The organizer, Betsy Mighell tells me,” I have permanent chills from today”. A French journalist covering the event tells me this is huge news in France, that the French people are elated about this election.

I love the baby wearing a "Barack "n Roll" shirt.

I move around the restaurant, talking to people and taking photos. The theme is the same with everyone, hope, optimism, pride. Kennedy Jones, gives me this quote, “ I’m astonished and overwhelmed that my country showed the courage to take such a bold and dynamic step forward.”

Laura Law is originally from Johannesburg South Africa, her card reads “The voice of HIV children and Hope for South Africa” she tells me, “ I have never cried as I cried when he gave his speech, I call him Bafane which means a good man in Zulu.”

Others comment, “ He has a good heart”, “ The world is about to change”, from a woman who has emigrated from Germany, “For the first time there is someone who I can look up to, someone with integrity”.

I know Michele Obama was severely criticized for her comment about it being the first time she was proud of America, but the truth is, this is the first time in a long time that I am proud of my country. I will no longer entertain the idea of becoming an expat, I will no longer feel like pretending that I’m Canadian when I’m in Europe.

After lunch I head back home to take a short rest, and get ready for a night of parties.

6 PM, the V lounge in Santa Monica. The place is already hopping, filled with young office workers and Santa Monica College students. Pop dance music blares, and large screen TV monitors replay the day’s activities. I hear the same comments over and over. “Amazing”, “ Fantastic”. One young man tells me this is the first time he has voted and is proud that it is in such an historic election.

From theV lounge I make a brief stop at the Salute Wine Bar, very civilized, 35ish crowd sipping vintage wine, but in the same celebratory mood. People tell me how they are newly inspired by this young president. They love to see his relationship with his family. The idea of young children in the White House is wonderful.

Leaving Santa Monica, I pick up my girlfriend and we head to Tatou Supper Club. This is a cool club in the warehouse district in downtown LA. The crowd is mainly African American. Red, White, and Blue balloons and streamers add to the great festive atmosphere. A live R& B band entertains diners. People here can’t stop smiling, cheering, laughing, embracing. The happiness of this new era is so evident it makes you realize how much this means to the Black community. We hang out here talking to people and taking photos for a couple of hours. There is partying but also a serious side. There is a prayer, a poem then a screening of the swearing in and Barack Osama’s inauguration speech.

For the last stop of the day, we hit the Art for Change Inaugural Ball, at the old Mayan Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. This is a ball for people in the arts. Creative attire is encouraged and we are not disappointed. The psychedelic show with acrobats from VJ Vicotorius is amazing. Guest DJs rock the room with ear splitting Techno. The dance floor is a sea of gyrating wild costumes. Women in “ball” gowns, men in top hats, revelers waving American flags. This is not a group who normally display a lot of patriotism, but change has come. Huge holograms of President Obama dance overhead. The mezzanine has an exhibit of art featuring our new President. The words to the song, “this could be the start of something big” run through my mind.

It’s one AM, I’ve had a big day, and it’s time to head home. I drop off my friend in Hollywood, and am alone with my thoughts on the drive back to the beach.

It’s been an incredible day. A day I want to remember forever. My hope is that people everywhere can keep this promise of hope, of inclusion, in their hearts and minds. Personally, I renew my vow to myself to volunteer in my community. To use my photography and my voice to make a difference. Cynthia