WASHINGTON (ABP) — “Now I don’t have to lie when I tell my children they can do anything,” one black father, with tears in his eyes, declared to the celebrants around him on the National Mall the moment Barack Obama took the oath of office as the first African-American president Jan. 20.
Other African Americans — as well as whites — who traveled from across the country to participate in the inauguration said it was as much the man as his race that distinguished this day.
Ann Randle, 62, said she didn’t think she would live to see a black president. The African-American grandmother made the trip from San Antonio primarily “to see a black take the office and become the 44th president,” she said. But she quickly added Obama’s race and religion don’t matter “if he can do what he says he wants to do.”
 Members of the Batiste family watch dignitaries arrive at the inaugural swearing-in ceremony for President Obama. In front is Carlette Stephenson, holding the video camera is Rod Batiste, and facing the camera is Etienne Batiste. (PHOTO/Greg Warner) |
Rod Batiste, an African American and Catholic, drove most of his immediate family from New Orleans, picking up other family members in Atlanta and Richmond, “to witness history” at the Capitol. But, the former Hillary Clinton supporter added, Obama’s race “wasn’t as important right now” as his policies.
Between 1 million and 2 million people braved frigid morning temperatures and impossibly crowded subways to take their places on the National Mall, most viewing the swearing-in ceremony on a series of massive video screens. Many huddled in blankets and sleeping bags before dawn in order not to miss the historic event, which taxed Washington’s mass-transit system beyond its limits.
Revelers interviewed for this story voiced optimism for the freshly minted president, who promised to reinvigorate and reinvent American democracy.
Batiste’s hope for the new administration is “to get rid of the divisions that we have.”
His 11-year-old daughter had her hopes set even higher. “No more wars,” Etienne Batiste said.
“I want to see some health-care reform,” added Carlette Stephenson, Rod Batiste’s sister, a health-care worker who worked for a while without any health insurance for her family. She now works for a Catholic AIDS ministry.
Obama’s Christian faith will aid him by providing “a bigger worldview,” Stephenson added. “A good Christian background gives you insight.”
The retired teachers from Syracuse “drove all the way down here just for the experience,” said Allan Wood. The group
 Americans fill a frigid National Mall to watch the inauguration swearing-in ceremony for president Obama (PHOTO/Greg Warner) |
Wood’s wife, Cathy, said she looks forward to the new president “restoring the dignity” of the office. Lydia Rappolt, who housed her three Syracuse friends in her Maryland home, said she wants Obama to “undo the Bush doctrine,” the foreign policy that permits pre-emptive war against countries perceived to pose a threat to the United States.
The four teachers said they were “caught up in the moment” of the historic inauguration, which imbued a million-plus observers with jubilation and optimism. The feeling was one of “total joy,” said Rappolt.
Four 17-year-old high school students from Toledo, Ohio, who were experiencing their first inauguration were impressed with the spirit of the day.
“I just feel history was being made,” said Jessica Serpa.
Being part of that history was “inspiring,” Katherine Tylinski. added.
“It was really cool. There was a real sense of unity,” said Mariah Riley.
“I feel change in the air,” said Camille Duet. “I can feel the wheels if history beginning to move.”
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Greg Warner is the former executive editor of Associated Baptist Press.