THE MORNING AFTER

The excitement has been going on – actually for two years - since now-President Barack Obama started his presidential campaign and when he won the election. Finally, the day of the inauguration came and the expectations were more than that of a child's on Christmas morning. I read somewhere that perhaps the gates of heaven would open up and that the angels will come down. Of course, this was being flippant and alluded to the President’s bigger than rock star appeal and campaign mantras that he would (could?) fix things once he got to the White House. Unfortunately, on this day, the market continued to fall with the Dow closing dismally at an all time low.

Like many, I was glued to the television watching the inaugural celebration. It was a credit to the new administration that they chose Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California to chair the inaugural committee. There were indeed many attendees - as far as one’s eyes could see – as television cameras showed. Never mind that the weather was chill-to-the-bones cold – the energy of the people who flocked to Washington DC blanketed the event with warmth that First Lady Michele Obama walked on the street waving to the crowd as though it was a spring day. My favorite part of the program was the rendition of an arrangement entitled “Air and simple Gifts” by John Williams, composer of film scores that included Star Wars, Schindlers List, by a chamber group composed of French born, Chinese American,Yo-Yo Ma on the cello, Ithzak Perlman on the violin, with African American Anthony Mcgill on the clarinet and Venezuelan Gabriela Montero at the piano.


There was sadness in my heart as I watched President George “Dubya” and Mrs. Laura Bush, waved their goodbyes and boarded the helicopter that would take them home. Vice President Joe Biden gave a short salute and I thought that was fitting. History decides the legacies of leaders and it will be interesting to know how it will judge the 43rd president a hundred years from now or so….

There were also some firsts at this inauguration: a first time that an incoming first couple handed a gift to the outgoing President and First Lady at the steps of the White House; a first that a Supreme Court justice, John Roberts, would swear in a President who vetoed his confirmation and flubbed the oath with wordings differently than prescribed in the constitution; a first neighborhood inauguration gala where the who's who of entertainers performed; a first where media's Donna Brazile admitted on television that she took the blanket from President Obama’s inauguration seat; a first inauguration lunch where two top legislators (Kennedy and Byrd) were taken ill; and, last but not the least, the very first African American was sworn in as the 44th United States President with relatives from Kenya attending the event.

The fashionistas concluded that Michele Obama’s day outfit designed by a Cuban New Yorker was perfect – and that the girls, Malia and Sasha, in their J Crew red and blue ensemble were adorable. The off the shoulder white gown she wore to the inaugural balls was a creation of an upcoming Chinese American designer. Michele, however, will be a First Lady who will have more substance that goes beyond fashion – and in an interview, the first couple vowed to remove the demarcation line that separates the powerful and rich enclave from the depressed areas of Washington, DC.

The conservatives may be relieved that faith will be an integral part of this administration from all indications of the event. Rick Warren of the Saddleback Church and The Purpose Driven Life fame prayed: "Help us, oh God, to remember that we are Americans, united not by race or religion or blood but by our commitment to freedom and justice for all," to reinforce his image as a unifying conservative figure. Rev. Joseph Lowery, a civil rights icon and a pastor started with “God of our weary years, God of our silent tears” and asked God, “ for the day when black will not be asked to give back, when brown can stick around, when yellow will be mellow, when a red man can get a headman, and when white will embrace what is right.” This statement brought a smile to many.


If there is still any doubt in one’s mind that nothing is impossible in America, just look at this historical day. Sixty years ago, Pres. Obama’s Kenyan father could not have even entered a restaurant. This remark brought to mind a poster that my cousin, Patricia, gave me with the words ‘Absolutely No Filipinos Allowed” sign on a hotel door taken some years back. We indeed have come a long way. However, there is a gargantuan task ahead and the new president has asked everyone to step up to the challenge of rebuilding the nation. It is time to see reality whole and face-to-face. This is part of Paul’s hymn on love to the Corinthians where President Obama took wisdom on giving up our childish ways.

Martin Luther King, Jr. must be smiling in heaven - shouting - free at last, thank God, free at last.