Alice J. Odhiambo's Reflection on 2009 Inauguration

To be able to say I took part and witnessed history is something I never thought I would be able to say. Being able to attend an inauguration is one thing but being able to attend the inauguration of the first African American president is an honor as well as an experience of a lifetime. Due to my circumstances, I am one of the lucky few who can fully relate to President Barack Hussein Obama. He is a Kenyan American. I am Kenyan and I’m an American citizen. Not only am I proud that he can trace his heritage to Kenya but I was able to vote him into the highest office known to man. Like many people from my generation this was our first election. We were able to make a huge statement that no other generation has ever made before; I believe we will go down in history as being one of the most powerful generations of the 21st century. To be down in Washington, D.C. with the 4 point something million people is something that not even the best writer would be able to captivate and translate into words. Standing in a crowd with people who had last been to the Capital in 1963 to listen to Martin Luther King Jr. giving his famous “I have a dream” speech and now they were there with me witnessing it for him. It was absolutely phenomenal. To also be part of a crowd of veterans who had come to pay respects to someone they believe will cater to them, as well as millions of families that made this trip together. With children as young as two months old, they were not left out of the festivities. They will always carry something with them. Every time I think about January 20th, 2009, I will forever get the chills down my spine. This is a date and a trip that will forever be engraved in my life. Waking up at 3am to catch the 4am train and stand outside in 18 degree weather at 5am until 4pm all in the name of Obama. I was there to see a man I absolutely admire and look up to and so was everyone around me. There were fellow Kenyans who would approach me and speak to me in my native tongue Swahili after recognizing the flag. They had traveled just to witness this. The whole world came to a standstill as they watched history in the making. But I didn’t need to watch it for a TV screen, I was 100 yards away from the man himself and my 20/20 eyesight came to the rescue as I watched him take his oath and give his absolutely breathtaking speech. January 20th, 2009 was the day I stood outside in 18 degree weather for 12 hours to witness a fellow Kenyan American become the first African American President of the United States of America. President Barack Hussein Obama. Yes we can, Yes we did, Yes I did.

Miss Alice J. Odhiambo, Sophomore

Maxwell Adepoju's Reflection on 2009 Inauguration

The inauguration had to be the most preeminent event that could have ever taken place in my lifetime! And I was truly blessed to have been there; no Jay-Z, Beyonce, or Kanye West event could match up to the prestige of this event. While I basked in the ambiance of euphoria; I realized in the pool of 1.7 million people, that this event is bigger than every single individual in DC, including the man of the hour, President Barack Obama. This event signified anything is possible; that hard work, dedication and belief is all you need to accomplish your dreams. The atmosphere at the event was to die for, it seemed that day that you couldn’t ruin anybody else’s day (unless you told them they couldn’t be at the event). The generosity that seemed from the event was remarkable. A complete stranger bought me a hat while in line because of the conditions of the weather, which I still have today, and will cherish for the rest of my life. That right there was another symbol of change for me that afternoon; which motivated me to become a catalyst for those around me. Change is here America, and we need to embrace it!

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"The Dictionary is the only place where 'Success' comes before 'Work'"
-Vince Lombardi

Wayne J. Montague's Reflection on 2009 Inauguration

I had promised myself that I would go to the inauguration of Barack Obama. Congressman Kennedy awarded me the opportunity to fulfill this promise with two “silver gate” tickets. I had originally planned to go with my father; however, he insisted that I go with a friend. He stressed that it was much more important that I go and witness this historic event with a friend who was around my age.

Words fail to give an accurate description of the amount of people inside the metro stations and around the entire D.C. area on inauguration day. The entire National Mall was completely filled with millions of people. Even with tickets, my friend and I were located a pretty far distance from the capitol building. However, it was still close in comparison to the millions of people without tickets who crowded up from the Washington Monument behind us.

Being present at the inauguration provided me with a deeper understanding of the impact that Barack Obama’s election, as the 44^th President, has had on our country and world. What I realized was that Barack Obama meant so much more people than I had ever previously imagined. I grasped the fact that Obama is more than a mere political figure who defied the odds and united this country in a way never before done in our storied past. He is so much more. He is an icon, an ever-lasting symbol of change, hope, and unity. Barack Obama is the epitome of the quote heard by so many children in this great country, “You can be whatever you want to be.” Now that quote has backing. The quote now has tangible evidence that it is more than a line lectured by our parents or schoolteachers who stress to us the importance of working hard and getting a quality education.

As I passed through the hundreds of people all united for one singular cause, I could not help but to make an astounding observation. A recurring, repeating image was illustrated on the shirts of many of those united strangers who my friend and I squeezed patiently by. A number of the shirts had images of Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X; both of whom had an indescribable impact on American culture and history, particularly with African-Americans. However, there was a much greater observation that I made about these shirts. Alongside the images of these influential leaders was the image of Barack Obama. The images of Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jr., and our 44^th President, Barack Obama were emblazoned on these shirts. Just to see Obama being compared to the likes of MLK or Malcolm X was awe-inspiring. This just proved the magnitude of Obama’s victory. I could only imagine what those that lived through the civil-rights movement were feeling, and the different emotions that they were going through on this day. However, I do not believe that that it is a far stretch of my imagination to believe that they all smiled at one point; and the feeling of unity and pride that I felt were reflected in their hearts, and the hearts of the millions of people who witnessed the event either from the National Mall or inside their homes.

A Big Thank You to Congressman Kennedy and my father!

--Wayne J. Montague, Jr.