Never has an inauguration been so riveting since when Obama was first elected.
Back then, I lived and taught at an American school in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. In order not to miss the historic moment, I got permission from the high school principal to organize an assembly just so I could watch it.
This time around, I was my own boss. I graciously gave myself the day off. After four years of the most unbelievable presidency, I wanted to watch the blessed ending of that one and the auspicious beginning of the next one. All from the comfort of my red sofa. I considered it to be Christmas come early, so I wore my Santa and Rudolph pajama pants.
Thanks to the pandemic, there was no crowd. Given the tumultuous way election certification went down, I was totally on board with far fewer people in attendance.
Yet, the rockstars showed up!
Even one of the newest rockstars:
DC Capitol police officer, Eugene Goodman, who led insurrectionists away from the open Senate door, which allowed the politicians more time to seek safety, including the ones whose rhetoric helped set the stage for a coup attempt.
Then the Vice President history maker and glass ceiling breaker,
Kamala Harris and the soon-to-be first second gentleman, Doug Emhof, emerged on the scene.
Of course she didn’t wear her chucks, but those pearls graced the occasion.
Behold the changing times…
the first Black VP greeting the first Black President.
Adding to the superstition that third time’s a charm…
newly elected Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden.
When Lady Gaga burst through the door in her fabulous red skirt, I briefly forgot that I was watching history in real time and felt as if I were watching a movie.
I credited quarantining for 10 months for that reality blur.
Lady Gaga sang one of the most enjoyable renditions of our national anthem that I’d ever heard.
The moment I’ve been waiting for my entire life…
It’s official now.
Plus, Harris was sworn in by the first Latina Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor.
I love Obama witnessing the process.
And for a third view in case anyone thinks it was all smoke and mirrors.
Once again, the line between history and entertainment blurred.
A few years ago, the previous administration all but abandoned Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria.
(I’m typing this up weeks after the fact when Biden recently cleared the way for Puerto Rico to FINALLY receive funding to rebuild.)
Last year, along with Shakira, Jennifer Lopez performed during the Super Bowl half-time show.
That was the first year so much Spanish was sung during the event. And she didn’t disappoint this time around as well.
Lord have mercy, after so much drama, including an unsuccessful coup attempt, Biden took the oath.
In this moment, Dr. Biden hugged the newly sworn in president for the 81 million of us who voted for him–
the most votes any American president has ever received in the history of our country.
I honestly don’t remember anything President Biden said, but the gist was “unity.”
On this point, I was cautiously optimistic while I viewed the inauguration. After all, this was a joyous day and I didn’t want to dream up ways the Democrats could fuck up having the House, the Senate and the White House, searching for unity with Republicans.
Afterwards, Garth Brooks sang “Amazing Grace.”
He never did sing with his eyes open. Nonetheless, I appreciated hearing a musician more known for having more conservative fans, performing a song written by a repentant slave ship captain.
What I didn’t take a picture of, because it would have actually required video, was afterward, when Garth’s happy ass couldn’t wait to shake hands and hug all of those VIPs. I was screaming at the TV for him to keep his hands to himself. I know he was caught up in the emotion of the moment, but damn, remember the plague?!
Breakout star and youngest poet to perform at an American inauguration, Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman emoted her original poem,
“The Hill We Climb,” which included the recent insurrection. In another historical first, Gorman will perform an original poem for the 55th Super Bowl.
After the ceremony, Biden got to work, signing executive orders,
which he did not feel the need to hold up and show the cameras. I loved his attitude about not writing new laws, but rather undoing bad policy. Amen to that and God Bless the United States of America.