I am filled with pure joy, pride, and amazement amid my exhaustion from walking, standing, flag-waving and shivering.
Wow~ what an amazing event! It was great to experience this historic event first hand, knowing how crowded and hectic it was going to be. I really wanted my 15 year old to this event, as something she will remember and cherish for the rest of her life. She shared the moment with me but also with friends who are students in NC without a place to stay, but gladly opted to sleep on the couch in our suite.
It was great to see patriotism exhibited on a large scale as the result of something positive (with the election of the first African American) instead of something negative (like 9/11).
The National Mall was tighter than a Michael Jackson concert in a high school gym! I’ve told everyone there are three phases to attending an event on the National Mall. First, the excitement of being “ in the house”; second, the possible unpleasantness of realizing the much-anticipated event you “had” to see may not have been all that (definitely, yesterday wasn’t in the category) and third, the unpleasant reality when you realize that everyone probably will be LEAVING at the same time! As soon as the 18- minute speech from the President ended, the crowd shifted stage right. It took all of an hour and ½ to get off the mall. I spoke to some attendees who were closer to the stage and they indicated that it took them three hours to get off the mall. This is my only real criticism is that there was a lack of guidance and crowd control after the event ended. The National Guard and mounted police could have been better prepared.
What was remarkable is that with the huge crowd and folks being pushed to and fro everyone kept their cool. There were zero arrests reported for excessive demonstrations or fighting. Everyone was cordial, peaceful and tolerant of one another. Civility was the word for the day.
What made the event so memorable is that:
- A barrier was broken with the election of the first African American to lead the country,
- The peaceful transfer of power in the midst of two wars and the worst economic crisis since the great depression, and
- The emotional connection that has been formed between the new President and the community through the use of social media which has led to a resurgence in political and community activism in this country.
This as a true symbol that the country is ready to look past race to choose an intelligent leader who has the best interest of everyone in the country at heart. I see this victory as validation and the fulfillment of MLK’s dream. Obama, looking out over the crowd from the Capitol face the Lincoln Memorial, could have taken this opportunity to focus on the racial implications of the realization of King’s dream; however, he obviously didn’t see a need to do that. Everyone is fully aware of the significance of this historic election and he has chosen to focus on what really is at stake, the survival of our society. It’s time for everyone to “get to work”.
