A few years ago, I had the opportunity to meet my great Aunt Etta.
I laughed and cried as I listened to this coherent 106-year-old woman take me through her journey of life. She walked me through America’s history as she lived through it.
She died in June 2008, and did not get to witness the country’s willingness to look beyond color as we selected the 44th President of the United States of America. I am ashamed to say that I did not recognize the magnitude of what I was about to witness. Regardless of your politics, race, religion, gender or sexual orientation, as American people we are forever changed. There is a new wave of hope in our country. During my visit people frequently commented on how differently they felt. I know that it sounds strange, but there was something special in the air.
Attending Inauguration Day on Jan. 20, 2009, was like a dream. The dream of course had several different phases which included a few “nightmares.” The logistics of attending this historical event were indescribable. It was physically very difficult. The stress of getting to the U.S. Capitol really tested your patience and endurance. I spent several hours standing between people, unable to turn around. We were so cramped that people started to chant “baby steps everyone, baby steps.” By taking “baby steps,” no one got hurt or trampled. As we moved forward, I continued to be in awe of the numbers of people around me, and I was taken aback by the gentleness shared by us all.
Another aspect of the logistic challenges surrounded the issue of the tickets. I had a silver ticket (tickets were color coded). I was so excited to have a “ticket” that I did not realize that when 240,000 people have a “ticket” and an additional 100,000 people are told to get in line without a ticket, the value of the “ticket” is diminished. The authorities did not monitor those with/without tickets (at least at the silver level). We were informed that we could not enter the Capitol grounds because they were at capacity. This of course was devastating.
As I waited in total gridlock, I felt defeated. The crowd was so tight that I could barely breathe, so I got out of line. Ten minutes after I got out of line they let the line that I was in onto the grounds. I had missed my opportunity. It was like an out-of-body experience: I was there, but I really wasn’t. I decided not to give up and spoke to one of the officers about my situation. He said that he was sorry, but they were full.
I decided to get back into the line. I went to the front and quickly explained my situation and some very kind people allowed me to go in front of them. The officers allowed another group to enter, and I hurried onto the grounds of the Capitol. I understand that I was one of the lucky ones. It is my understanding that the mayor of Seattle was unable to get in. Jesse Jackson and Samuel L. Jackson were in a friend’s line, and they had trouble getting in as well. The good news and the bad news is that except for a few of us, we were all treated equally.
Once on the inaugural grounds, I was especially touched by the reactions of other people, including the time when President Obama recognized President George W. Bush and some people booed. Instead of joining in, most people respectfully corrected their neighbor’s behavior. Letting them know that “we must be compassionate and show integrity. We are one country, positively moving forward.”
I had chills (not because of the cold) hearing Aretha Franklin perform “My Country Tis of Thee,” but the most moving part of the ceremony was watching the faces of the people around me. Seeing men, women and children of all races with tears in their eyes, and seeing people from all walks of life wave the American flag. People that have probably never celebrated our country were waving the American flag, as if it were the latest designer item with such pride as Barack Obama was sworn in as our 44th president. As I stood there in the cold, I felt the warmth of the people around me, which gave a sense of peace and hope that I will never forget.
My blessings continued when I arrived home. I listened to the recap from my 13-year-old son, who said: “Mom, I can’t explain it. I just feel happy inside.” My 5-year-old expressed the following: “Mom, Barack Obama said that we should be nice to each other.”
In closing, I hope that we all can remember what was said in the opening prayer: We are Americans, united not by race, religion or blood, but by our commitment to freedom and justice for all.
Judith Oakes is a Federal Way resident
