I was lucky that I didn't go into work on Tuesday until 1:00 so I was able to see Mr. Obama be sworn in as the President. There are few moments on television that effected me as much as that one did. The last time I can recall being that overcome with emotion from watching events on TV was on 9/11. I was off that day and getting ready to go out when a friend called me that morning and told me to put the TV on. I did, just in time to watch the plane hit the second tower. I sat down on the couch in a fog, watching the scenes unfurl on the screen for the new few hours, unable to tear myself away.
Thankfully this time the emotion were the polar opposite of what I was feeling that day. I sat transfixed watching the cameras pan the crowd of everyday Americans, black and white, men and women, gay and straight, stand out in the cold so they could partake as history was made that day. People were overcome with joy, some openly weeping as they stood there.
Watching Aretha, with that wonderful hat only Aretha would have worn, walk up to the mike and sing those words, as we all mouthed those words that we all now so well. That day we were all Americans, united together.
I admit to tears in my eyes as I watched Barack Obama took the oath of office. It was a great feeling, like Christmas morning when you're a kid and wake up to find the tree circled in presents. I was proud of my country and what we were doing that day.
Than after the swearing in I had to get ready to go to work. I went in, expecting everyone would be talking about what had happened that day. I was greeted with silence on the subject. No one brought it up unless I mentioned it first.
I live in a state where only 11% of white men voted for Barack Obama. It was the lowest percentage in the country.
I work at a place where not one other white man that I know of voted for Barack Obama. And I'm pretty sure I would have known if there was another one there because I was pretty vocal in my support of Mr. Obama. Everyone knew where I stood. I can guarantee my car was the only one in the parking lot that bore an Obama bumper sticker.
I was hoping someone would talk about it. Someone mention it. Someone realize that even though they didn't vote for him history had been made regardless that day. And that even though they didn't vote for him they hoped he would succeed and do a good job. But nothing.
I can't recall one person bringing up the inauguration to me that day. I talked about it. I couldn't not talk about it. How many times in a lifetime do we witness a day unlike any other? But I couldn't pull more than a few words from anyone about it. All I was left with was a thunderous silence.
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17 comments:
JohnH., nice post. My spouse mentioned that "thunderous silence" at his workplace the day after the election. A good friend of mine said at her sister's work place they were sent an email instructing them not to discuss politics--the day after Obama won the election. LOL.
I like the way you juxtaposed the attempt to tear apart our country on 9/11 with the final coming together of a variety of diverse elements and warring factions that Obama's presidency symbolizes to so many.
For me, the juxtaposition would be President Obama's swearing in and MLK's funeral, the latter of which I watched on tv as a preschooler, living in Memphis with my Mom. I didn't truly understand what was going on at the time, but I do recall being moved by the sight of my mother's tears. It was the first time I'd ever seen her cry.
Due to a snow day, here in Charlotte, I was able to watch Obama's inauguration with my own son. Not only did we get to experience the thrill of a "new day" together, but later I talked to my Mom and learned that once again, she'd sat in front of a tv in Memphis and wept . . . only this time, tears of joy (smile).
Very strange that your work was so quiet that day. We had a party in November right after the election with a bunch of family. I wore an Obama button and there were a couple of people who looked sideways at me. I figured out they sure didn't vote for Obama. But it was polite.
My husband stayed home for the inauguration ceremony and when he went to work the next day...no one spoke about it either. I thought that was really weird. Now...they don't really talk politics at work but I thought there might have been some excitement.
You know...part of my feeling is, that if someone did't vote...or someone didn't have the same feeling of optimism many of us do have...there is a kind of jealousy about that kind of happiness.
I think people are wary and out of the loop if someone is happy. Try just being happy at work...how do people respond? Do they think you're kooky?
btw...I was crying for about three days...all weekend at pre-inauguration festivities right up to the Tuesday.
I work at a store that sells guns and after the election the sales of guns went through the roof. Everyone seems to be afraid that as President Obama is going to take their guns away. We've been sent emails instructing us not to talk about politics or say anything about the amount of extra guns we are selling.
Hey John, I go in at 1:00 PM also, so I was able to see the swearing in from the homestead. It was indeed moving (loved Aretha's hat and her rendition of "America, The Beautiful"). I know I work with mostly Republicans, so I bite my tongue most of the time, refusing to even comment on their disparing remarks about Obama. When I got to work, it was just another day, business as usual. I wanted to shout out "Did anyone see history being made today?" But I just went on about my business, but with a little more pep in my step and a knowing smile on my face. Thanks for sharing your impressions of this day. I know what you felt was felt by millions on January 20th.
I just couldn't understand it. Even if you didn't vote for him history had been made that day. I guess they figured if they didn't talk about it maybe they could forget it happened.
I watched it at work with a few other people. We ended up crying and getting very emotional. Something that struck me, though, was that people that voted for him, and were extremely excited on election day didn't even take the time to watch. To me, it just shows a huge disconnect somewhere. People, loose interest, or don't follow through etc. Maybe it shows they are not getting the deeper significance.
A lot of people I know - multiple races and both genders - weren't overly excited about his swearing in. However, I think that's more to do with the fact that we're all in our 20s.
People's lack of enthusiasm can also be due to the fact that the media coverage of Obama was all-encompassing since the day he won the Democratic nom.
I don't know -- I can't speak for anyone but myself and the people I know, and I won't be an apologist for people I don't.
Some are excited for the change, some were excited for the moment, and some realize that it's happened and now he's our President and the world's still a-spinnin'.
I'm hoping that "hope" as a strategy heals the economy. There's some work to be done...
John, I was the only person in my workplace of 45 people that voted for Barak Obama. THE. ONLY. ONE.
But I don't believe it was entirely a race issue but I did hear several racist jokes during the campaign season, something that is normally rare around the office.
I work with a group of very conservative fundamentalist Christians who most likely would have voted against McCain if he were a Democrat. Democrats can not be trusted. Only Republicans that are pro-life and Christian deserve to be President. Its the only thing that matters to the people in my office. I wish I were kidding.
Of course Obama is THE MOST EVIL DEMOCRAT OF ALL TIME, how could he not be with a name like Obama and he's NOT WHITE! We're going to hell in a handbasket I tell ya!
Needless to say I was not very popular for voting for him and even got the silent treatment from a few people.
I stayed home on Voting Day and the day after in November because I didn't want to be around these people no matter which way the vote went. I stayed home and shared my joy with friends across the nation via blogs rather than listening to grumbling at my office.
I have never been more proud of a President, more excited for our nation or more ashamed of the people I work with. (but in this economy - I need the job!)
I watched the inaguration from my office computer, I was facebooking live on CNN, it was great. My boss walked in and was like, what's going on, I said "I'm watching the inaguration" - lol
At my job (about 120 people, at least 85% white, all age groups, 65% or more male) most folks voted for Obama. The company even had a HUGE sign made for outside of the building in support of him during the campaign.
So - At least where I work, race was not a factor against Obama, I can't speak for anywhere else.
Well given that the majority of your state didnt vote for him is it really surprising?
In fact I would hesitate to even say that their cold shoulder was based on race but more to the fact that their side lost.
This was a really ugly election after all.
Now what were their motivation for why they voted the way they did is anothwer thing.
lol @ motivations
I took a vacation day so I could watch the inauguration. A few things that have happened to me since supporting President Obama:
- I was accused of only supporting him because he was black, somehow that was suppose to make me think I was "cool". Ha! Obama captured my attention at the 2004 Democratic Convention but I had initially supported John Edwards because of his message about poverty. You can't get much whiter than Edwards. The day I voted in the primaries, however, I changed my vote to Obama.
- My closest friend of 40 years and still a Bush supporter asked me not to talk to her about politics anymore.
- Someone I've known for 20 years and McCain supporter called me shortly after the election was called for Obama and just went off. It was ugly and I haven't heard from him again.
- A co-worker broke down in tears because she believed in the wealth distribution ads and appeared to believe her house would be taken away from her and given to someone who didn't work and/or had terrorist connections. And, if things weren't going to change then "why did they show people celebrating in Africa"? (Obama's grandmother)
- I have since been told that my politics has been a reason I have felt alienated at my workplace. I work from home and rarely go to the office so it is just knowing where my support lies.
These are educated, in some cases, well-traveled people. It just amazes me.
I shared my Obama cookies throughout my apartment complex and I had a wonderful day of celebration.
Sorry! It doesn't appear my attempt at a link worked in my post. If interested, try
http://judi-mindovermatter.blogspot.com/2009/01/obama-cookies-from-marys-cakes-and.html or the January 19th entry.
CNLMike - No, it was not based soley on race. I have worked there for 18 years and hear about the evils of the Democratic party every year.
cinmike, I guess I wasn't really surprised since I knew how everyone felt anyways but just guess I was hoping for someone to say something. Some acknowledgment, even in the tiniest bit. But with basically 10% of the state going for Obama you'd think the odds of working in a place with over a hundred people that a few would have supported him.
Barbara, some of what you say is true where I work. Most everyone is Republican so it probably wouldn't have matter who the Democrat was. It's hard to sort out the reasons why they voted against him.
Jessica, at least they voted for him. That's a big plus. It would have been nice for them to want to see him sworn in, but I'm glad they took the time to at least vote.
Running Mom, sounds like you have a great group of people working with you. At least as far as political viewpoint goes. A lot just has to do with where I live, not many people here are Democrats and not many people here voted for Obama so I can't figure that there should be that many at work with me.
Judi, I heard the same thing about people voting for Obama because it was cool or they just wanted to be part of history. Well voting for him made history but that wasn't why I voted for him. I voted for him because I thought he was the best man for the job. And it's crazy what some people believe is going to happen now that he's in office. I talk to quite a lot of people that truly believe he is going to take their guns away from them. One guy that works for me, a very intelligent person in most respects, says that Obama has called up the Army in the states to run things. I asked him where he read that, I goggled it, and he still hasn't been able to bring me any real facts to support it. He probably heard it on Rush.
That's too bad your co-workers chose to chew on sour grapes instead of acknowledging that history took place when Obama was sworn in as President. I took the day off from work so that I could watch it. I was interested to learn what the office building was like that day. As I suspected, the cafeteria (where there's a mounted TV) was packed during the inauguration.
Hey everyone!
I work in a call center, so we were cordoned off from tv...except those of us who watched the Inauguration on the net...
I did invite those who wanted to watch with me on my PC in my office...but didn't get any takers...
The environment was one of nonchalance, which annoyed me to no end. I don't care who you supported, at least acknowledge the moment.
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