The Jackson Herald-january 2009

PAGE 2C

THE JACKSON HERALD

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2009

Q&A: The American point of view continued from 1C

AT HISTORIC EVENT Thomas Sykes, 18 months, pictured with his mother, Kathy, of Chattanooga, Tenn., was among the two million people who attended the Inauguration of President Barack Obama. Thomas is waving an American flag.

Among the lucky millions continued from 1C Laurel, Md. Thoroughly fed and showered, we all went to bed early because we knew we could sleep late and still get a good spot for the “We are One Opening Inaugural Celebration” at the Lincoln Memorial. Greetings from strangers: Sunday, January 18, 2009 We awoke, ate a healthy breakfast, dressed and headed for the Metro in Greenbelt, Md. We arrived outside the Lincoln Memorial site, stood in line for one hour to clear security and then we went inside and found a perfect spot in front of a JumboTron. You all saw the concert on TV, but what you could not feel was the “good “This trip vibrations” in the air. In the south we routinely greet people we do not know; reaffirmed all however, most people who were strangthose things I ers to each other warmly greeted each other with hugs, shared their stories hold dear — regarding why they were there and God, family openly showed emotion— both men and women. and friends.” I cannot recall the last time I danced — Linda Kirk, Jefferson, on and sang with complete strangers and her journey to the Inauguration felt very proud to do so. The day was everything and more than we could have hoped for and we left looking forward to the next day. In the nation’s capitol: Monday, January 19, 2009 Although today is the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday and Obama has asked all Americans to spend the day in service to their communities, our host informed us that many of the service projects had received more than enough volunteers and were actually turning away people. We decided to go into D.C. and visit some of the Smithsonian (Museums). We visited the National Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of Natural History. We used this day to allow the kids hands-on interaction with the many exhibits. We also were able to slow down a bit and take the time to sit and take in all that was around us. Although the adults had been to Washington before, I must say I was just as awed as the very first time I had visited more years ago than I care to admit. Seeing the Washington Monument, the United States Capitol and the Sculpture Gallery with your own eyes — words are incapable of accurately describing the feelings that surface. I believe the kids said it best: “Wow, it is bigger than it seems on TV.” Inauguration Day: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 Finally the day we were all waiting for, Inauguration Day. We awoke at 2 a.m., drove to the Metro and arrived in D.C. at 4:30. We stood in one line for 30 minutes, only to be told it was the line to access the parade route. We made our way, following Washington Mall signs, to an even larger crowd to wait in line for nearly four hours to again be told that we needed to go elsewhere. We were directed to access the National Mall by walking through a tunnel. The walk took another hour, but we finally arrived at the National Mall, which was beyond crowded. Imagine you are a sardine in a can — well, that would have been spacious. Although we arrived bitterly cold (hand and foot warmers seemed to have little effect) and tired (walked untold miles), we were so happy to be among the lucky millions to make it in. The program flowed quickly and the place went crazy when president-elect Obama became the 44th president. Due to the size of the crowd, overwhelmed trains and stressed D.C. police, it took four hours to get to the one of two Metro trains which were actually running. We found out later that a decision had been made to close many of the stations which had been opened that morning. Needless to say, that decision being made without advance warning created very angry people; however, in spite of it all, there was no violence and no one was arrested. In fact people exercised extreme patience. Riding back on the Metro with swollen feet and aching back, I looked at my husband, smiling and saying in spite of what we went through, it was worth it, and everyone else agreed. Driving back to Jefferson, Ga., in the early morning hours, I reflected on our trip. We broke bread and shared living space with people we had not known before. We saw Washington through the eyes of children, which always makes things new. Finally, I saw us endure cold, pain and inconvenience without the usual complaint. This trip reaffirmed all those things I hold dear — God, family and friends.

•Cindy Thompson, 42, Washington, D.C., interviewed while riding the Metro to kids’ ball: “This is an exciting time for the country to come together.” January 20, 2009 •Milton Payton, 61, Chicago, Ill., interviewed at the kitchen table of my host’s home: “The whole Inauguration is important because we are getting rid of Bush ideology, which is inconsistent with Judeo Christian belief. Obama is about ‘we’ and not ‘me.’ We have someone with intelligence and a work ethic to lead our country in the right direction. Also, Obama is AfricanAmerican and he is the president who happens to be black. America represents millions of drops of water which make a mighty ocean. (The) Obama administration supports helping the least of us and includes everyone. Obama does not use religion as a wedge and that is true Christianity.” •Brooke Nebel, 40, Atlanta, Ga., interviewed at the dining room table of my host’s home: “As a citizen and having worked on the campaign for 13 months, it is hard to believe that this all started with an idea — change. We started with getting people involved in the political process and it culminated in the Inauguration.” •Marilyn Payton, 58, University Park, Ill., interviewed at the kitchen table of my host’s home: “I was to attend the March on Washington but my grandmother, at the last minute, canceled the trip. My grandmother believed that since we were from the south (Chattanooga, Tenn.) at that time, that there would be violence and said no, we would not be going. This time I could not miss the opportunity to be a part of this historic event.” January 21, 2009 •Kirk Cooper, 38, Canada, interviewed while standing in line at 4:30 a.m. to enter the National Mall: “I wanted to be part of history.” •Vincent Fossitt, 42, Buffalo, N.Y., interviewed while riding the metro: “It was important because it is the first AfricanAmerican President.” •Kevelyn Feliciano, 29, Puerto Rico, interviewed while standing in the parade line: “This is a historical moment, a turning point for the USA to have an African-American president.” 2. Hopes and contributions: President-elect Obama has engendered feelings of hope and change. What is your hope for America and how

3. What is the significance of having an AfricanAmerican president?

the trademark fist ‘bump’ Milton and Marilyn Payton, Chicago, Ill., demonstrate the trademark Obama fist “bump.” The Paytons were among the individuals Linda Kirk, Jefferson, interviewed last week on their thoughts on the new president and on why they attended the Inauguration. Photos courtesy of Linda Kirk do you plan to contribute to change? January 18, 2009 •Pete Chang: “I hope people will be less selfish. I plan to help out more in the community, especially with youth. I am an engineer and will help minorities in technical fields.” •Allison Schmidt: “My hope is we learn to see the bigger picture — the world — and we can take pride again in how we see ourselves. I plan to continue to educate myself on the political process and assuming a more active role. Since I am an American living in Beijing, (I can) serve sort of as an ambassador.” •Mike F: “My hope is we see ourselves as an American family finally. We drop all of the cynicism. Obama is the first president who has a true sense of what afflicts the middle class. I serve the courts as an ombudsman now, but I plan to volunteer and do more public service. January 19, 2009 •Larry Burney, Sr.: “My hope is to see America live out the true meaning of its creed and that people are judged by the content of their character. I plan to continue to work in my community and with my fraternity, Omega Psi Phi.” •Ricky Outlar: “I hope the American healthcare system will truly help all Americans and that the gap between the rich and poor is narrowed. I also hope Obama’s presidency instills in black youth not to kill each other — the klan does not have to do that job because we are. Black men need to step up, from the time you are in pam-

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pers until manhood. Our black women should not be raising our children alone.” •Cindy Thompson: “I hope to see the economy get better and that everyone does their part, because it takes everyone working together as a team.” January 20, 2009 •Milton Payton: “My hope is that the president shares our rich culture with the world. I plan to continue what I have always done, building community playgrounds, adding to the already 15 years of helping out in my community to make it better. I have served as president of our local school board and I did not have kids in the system. I volunteered for the position, which was unpaid.” •Brooke Nebel: “I hope we can come together and not be divided.” •Marilyn Payton: “My hope is that we are able to achieve the things we want to achieve and we stop looking at racism or judging a person by the color of their skin, and that we respect others for what they bring to the table.” January 21, 2009 •Kirk Cooper: “My hope is all Americans will get behind President Obama and support him. I am here, and that is the first start. I never thought I would attend an Inauguration.” •Vincent Fossitt: “My hope is America’s global image will change. I plan to help my community.” •Kevelyn Feliciano: “My hope is that we will become a better nation, helping each other during difficult times. I plan to do my best to help others.”

January 18, 2009 •Pete Chang: “We always knew blacks had a lot of talent but never were given advantages.” •Allison Schmidt: “It is incredible and powerful. Based on America’s past struggles, Obama is now the most powerful man. It shows change and hope for the future.” •Mike F: “I remember that when I was 10, I hit a baseball and it dented a neighbor’s car. I ran in my house and the TV was on and it was the Rev. Martin Luther King speaking at the March on Washington. I watched it and remembered his words. Although the dream is not fulfilled, it will happen sooner than later. Obama was the best candidate for the job and the country needed a great president.” January 19, 2009 •Larry Burney, Sr.: “Through God all things are possible.” •Ricky Outlar: “Obama is the one for me. He is the first. The president can only do so much. Congress has to back him. He has been where we have been. He has been poor. He feels things differently.” •Cindy Thompson: “It shows the America we are now — it’s not just about color or race, it’s about the issues that are important.” January 20, 2009 •Milton Payton: “It takes away a lot of excuses AfricanAmericans have had. You can do it if you persevere. This is a positive role model for kids.” •Brooke Nebel: “He is both races — bi-racial — and represents what America is all about. We are all different, but we are all Americans.” •Marilyn Payton: “It shows America that we can do anything and everything. It shows change, arrival (and) it exhibits to youth that everything and anything is possible. No excuses. We are just as capable as everyone else.” January 21, 2009 •Kirk Cooper: “Regardless of the fact that Obama garnered the popular vote, the people spoke and said that they wanted change and not repatriation. It shows that the character of the person was what was important.” •Vincent Fossitt: “It demonstrates that you can be whatever you want in America. It demonstrates diversity.” •Kevelyn Feliciano: “It shows we are closer to equality for all people as Martin Luther King dreamed.”

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