My-Cherie
Due to the great feedback from my column last month, I’ve decided to pick up where I left off.
I made it to the inaugural festivities in Washington, DC, and it was an AMAZING experience. I definitely felt like I was on another planet, hence the name Obamania.
Everyone on Planet Obamania carried an uplifting spirit. The positive energy soared to great heights. It felt like Christmas at the North Pole with Santa and his little multicultural elves. About 2 million followers gathered at our capitol in the little District of Columbia — every race, culture and religion from every state, meshing and mingling together. There were gay, straight, young and old —all sizes and shapes. There were many in wheelchairs and I even saw a blind man making his way through the crowds. It was all for the love of one man — President Barack Obama. With all those people around me, I could have sworn I was experiencing the second coming of Christ — seriously. There was no violence, no crimes and no arrests the entire time. Yep, I was definitely on a different planet. I can only compare it to the words of Louis Armstrong’s song, “What a Wonderful World::
“The colors of a rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shaking hands sayin’ how do you do
They’re really sayin’ I love you.”
The city of D.C. may not have been prepared for the overflow of crowds, but vendors were prepared with plenty of Obama memorabilia, and everyone was buying. There were Obama blankets, tees, sweaters. water, hats, buttons, socks, coats, wristbands, scarves, towels, mugs, shot glasses, notebooks, purses, action figures, pens, pencils and the list goes on and on. Obama’s face was on everything- everywhere. Someone even tried to sell me some Obama cheese. How crazy is that? This is only my guess, but with all the money that was made from the inauguration I’m sure D.C.’s economy will thrive for at least the next 5 years. You do the math.
I got to attend some fun music parties and balls, but my favorite activity was going to Manifest Art: DC, an art exhibition that opened only for the week of the inauguration. There was a wonderful display of Obama art by artists from all over America. The art was a true indication of how much our President is loved. Some depicted President Obama as a sports star, a sex symbol and a hippie. Many say President Obama is the reincarnation of Abraham Lincoln and there was a painting there to prove it. It was such a pleasure to see happiness and joy fill the rooms of every place I went.
President Obama was not the only popular face on Planet Obamania. Our First Lady was right by his side with a presence of strength and beauty that makes me proud be an American, a woman, but most of all it makes me proud to be black. During the inauguration I only caught a glimpse of Michelle Obama’s dress from afar, but I think she chose well. It was so cool that the “no name” designers she picked found out the same time as the rest of the world. Isabel Toledo, a Cuban-born American who designed Michelle Obama’s lemongrass-yellow inaugural outfit describes her moment of bliss: “There is nothing that comes close to this moment. It’s not just my moment and hers, but it’s the world’s.” True, indeed. Even though I didn’t get the accessories part of the outfit — green Jimmy Choo shoes with green gloves to match — I admire Mrs. Obama for being bold. You go girl!
Our first lady looked stunning in the fairytale ball gown designed by Jason Wu. She definitely picked the right dress for her skin tone and body type. Ivory looks amazing on dark brown skin and it showed, because she glowed. I was glad she decided to go with new Twainese designer and young prodigy, Jason Wu. Wu describes his feeling of seeing the First Lady with his design on in the New York Times: “I was over the moon. It’s priceless to be a part of history.” Well, I, too, would be over the moon, sun and stars if Michelle Obama picked a design of mine. Wu was definitely worthy of the inaugural ball gown prize, especially after spending many late nights in his studio, with a crew of four, hand-sewing thousands of organza flowers and crystals to Obama’s dress. Wow, the things we do for the love of the Obamas.
It’s great to know that Michelle Obama is a trendsetter and a classy lady who realizes that everything does not have to have a big designer on the label to have quality, style and beauty. My heart fluttered with delight when I saw our President and First Lady dancing together at the inaugural balls — absolutely beautiful!
I can’t forget about the superstar kids, Malia and Sasha. They looked ultra chic at the inauguration with their colorful J. Crew jackets with matching scarves, ribbons and shoes. America loves those girls and I can wait to watch them grow up. Malia is well poised, mature and attentive. Sasha is bright-eyed and full of curiosity and playfulness.
It was truly enlightening to be surrounded by so many people of different cultures, backgrounds and circumstances. Our world is changing and everyone that made the effort to come to Planet Obamania made a choice to come in peace and be a part of history. The Obamas obviously have a knack for bringing people together. Our charismatic president has a lot of responsibility on his plate, though. Our economy is shaky, our country is at war and people are in an anxious state of mind. Not only America, but the world as well, is looking for solutions. It’s going to take lots of time and effort to get things back in order. With the support of each and every one of us, President Obama can make this country and world a better place. In the words of Armstrong, “I think to myself what a wonderful world” it will be.
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