I was watching CNN.com stream live with Facebook on one of my two computer screens at work, surrounded by co-workers early on a Tuesday morning. The motorcade arrival, heavy as a jet plane, aerial shots of two million people on the Mall, American dignities descending red and blue steps to an elevated platform in the middle of a 20-degree morning. So many years and tears after our national and economic downfall.
Obama symbolizes Hope. Change. Together. Youth. New. It was inspiring to see all the people gathered. To hear all the stories of people who traveled to witness him do what many of their parents had marched on Washington to do: equal rights for colored Americans.
But race had little to do with Obama. It's the hope, the work we need to do, to bring this economy, this war, our spirit back to where we want tp belong -- on top.
So or one precious, historic hour, me and my co-workers surrounded one of my 17" screens and set of 2" speakers to hear our new president cheer lead us into a new era. We chuckled at the pomp and circumstance, teared at the music, singing & poetry, and wowed at the decor and detail of history in the making.
Later that evening I gathered with friends over beer and nachosto experience the glory of change under foot, celebrate the outgoing conservatism, and the in-coming revolution. Understand that finally we can make a difference.
Photo courtesy of NYimes.
