Joy Bryant's Blog
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My experience at the Inauguration!
- Posted on 01.26.09
Boy, was it cold in DC on January 20. As Nicola Vassell and I stood
freezing amongst the sea of thousands that turned out for the
inauguration, I wondered if this was a mistake. Should we just break
out now and head back home to watch in warm and comfort on the couch
in front of the huge flat screen. I mean, we got there so early, there
was plenty of time to bounce and catch him on TV. Why didn't I dress
better? Why didn't I use my celebrity hook up to get better tix? Why
didn't I bring a blanket? Why am I here freezing my ass off? Why why
why?!?! It all ran through my mind during the 4-hour wait for
President Obama to appear. The sun was fighting its way through the
clouds as we fought to stay warm. We discovered that sitting on the
cold grass was the best way to beat the cold, using the other standing
bodies as a windshield and we instantly felt better. Nikki kept me
laughing, "I'm Jamaican, dammit! I'm not used to this cold!" she said,
her eyes the only visible part of her face, peaking out in between her
wine colored scarf and brown hat. Laughter can sure be a cure-all
sometimes. And on cue, the sun made its glorious, full-on appearance.
Aaaaaaaah… Suddenly, things weren't so bad and I started to think, why
was I even asking why to begin with? Why was I complaining about the
cold and positioning and blah blah blah? I was there, like so many
others, because I wanted that memory, that story to share. I had the
great honor of a getting ticket (and a pretty decent one at that),
when so many wanted one and couldn't get one, or had one and still
couldn't get in. How dare I take that for granted? So I told my ego to
take a hike. I, like so many, have been on this incredible journey
with Barack Obama. This was the day we've been waiting for, day that
generations have been praying for, the day that many thought would
never come in their lifetime. And if given the choice, why would I
choose to be anywhere else?
I rose to feel the sun on my face, to look at the Capitol dome (how
beautiful the architecture!), and to see faces of the people around
me. We were in it together and though strangers, there was a
familiarity: we came in peace… we came with love… we came as citizens,
proud of our country and hopeful for its future. And just then, a
woman tapped me on my shoulder. "Joy? It's me, Marnie!" Turns out, I'd
been standing shoulder to shoulder with my friend from high school
that I haven't seen since high school. Turns out we both cut the line
in the same place, at the same time on our way in. Turns out she and
her family live 2 blocks from where we were staying. Turns out, I was
meant to be in that section, at that time. There was plenty of time to
catch up and we did. She and her husband even invited Nikki and me
along to a parade viewing party along the parade route. We kept giving
each other hugs, so happy to see each other again, so happy to share
in the moment.
And there we all stood, friends and strangers, freezing and frozen,
laughing and crying, booing and cheering… together. And that's how
we'll get through all the mess that our country is in right now…
together.
To read the original article, please click here:
http://giant.blackplanet.com/point-of-view/together-at-the-inauguration/
Photo: Chuck Kennedy-Pool/Getty Images
Related causes: Community
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