By Warren Anderson
40 years ago, in 1968, America was at war in the quagmires of Vietnam. She was at war with herself at home over culture, politics, poverty, generational differences and race. She was in a Cold War with an evil foe that would use any trick or lie to get ahead and to keep their people ignorant and subservient. She had lost to assassination two great leaders that may have had answers to keep violence and hatred down in the streets, but instead whose deaths caused the destruction of neighborhoods and violent city riots throughout America.
40 years ago, in 1968, my father had to take my friend home because his father could not come and pick him up. Not because they did not have a car. Not because his father was busy. But because he was black and we lived in segregated Chicago. He lived only a few blocks from me on the South Side of Chicago, but it may as well have been on the moon, because there was no way his father could drive to a white neighborhood and leave alive. But we could take him home and cross the race line.
40 years ago, in 1968, my mother took me to the Chicago Public library. I remember seeing drawings done by black kids my age or a little older. Between 6-10 years old. They were disturbing drawings for me, for they depicted blacks and whites fighting and killing each other. I remember asking my mother if my friend, Anderson Parks, wanted to do that to me.
40 years ago, in 1968, America was faced with a crucial election. President Johnson, reviled for the Vietnam War and not so popular in the South for his advancement of crucial Civil Rights legislation, had decided not to run. His Vice President, Hubert Humphrey of Minnesota, had decided to run for the Democratic nomination. Senator Eugene McCarthy of Minnesota was running as well, in place of the murdered Senator Robert Kennedy. The convention would be in Chicago, personal fiefdom of THE Mayor Richard J. Daley. A Chicago, Dr. Martin Luther King learned earlier, that was more dangerous and more racist than perhaps even the South. In 1968, after the riots sparked by King’s murder, Mayor Daley gives Chicago Police the order …”to shoot to kill any arsonist and to shoot to maim or cripple anyone looting.”
40 years ago, in 1968, in Grant Park, Chisaid by our children’s children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.”
The crowd erupted again, many obviously moved to tears by the words and sentiment expressed. It was a simple speech that touched simple but true themes and forgotten truths about America, the American character and American history.
As quickly as the Mall had filled, it began emptying. The cold was compounded by a very brisk wind, making the temperature feel even colder on exposed skin. Yet, again, people were in great spirits. It felt as though there had been a new dawn, a turning point in American history. It felt the same way after President Ronald Reagan’s first inauguration, replacing Carter. At that time it felt like we finally had someone who knew what to do at the helm of the ship of state. Our enemies would fear us, not laugh at us. The hostages were freed.
Tradition states that after the Inauguration there is a lunch for the new President. Senator Ted Kennedy, a stalwart and crucial early supporter of Obama’s, fell ill, causing concern from the new President as well as Congressional colleagues. He is expected to be out of the hospital shortly.
Delayed due to the lunch, as usual, the next order of business in Washington, D.C. was the Inaugural parade. Those watching TV and those with tickets for the bleachers along the parade route, and who were fortunate enough to get through security check points quickly, saw the new President and First Lady walk a fair distance of the 1.5 mile route. Cheering and jubilation were evident on the faces of those waving fervently at the First Couple.
The parade, made up of over 10,000 people from all 50 states, lasted longer than most of those who paid to sit and watch them. The biting cold and the desire to get ready for the Inaugural Balls probably had something to do with that. Even the Presidential viewing stand was empty but for the President, his wife and security and staff.
An Inauguration is not complete without Inaugural Balls, and this inauguration had 10 official balls. The President and First Lady, as well as the new Vice-President and his wife attended each of the ten. The President started with the Neighborhood Ball, where he showed that he was either very tired or just could not dance. He said and did the same at each, finishing at the Ball held at Union Station just before 1AM, over an hour ahead of schedule.
At the end of a long day it was obvious a line had been crossed. Finally, America had someone in place who knew what Americans were thinking, how they felt and that could actually articulate those thoughts. It was also obvious Obama could coherently state what was needed to be done and had the guts and the sense to tell Americans what they needed to do, as well as the sacrifices and difficulties that lay ahead. But most importantly, on Tuesday, January 20th, 2009, President Barack Hussein Obama gave America hope. We have done it before, many times. We can do it again. Yes we can!
