Women And People Of Color At The Forefront Of The Inauguration Ceremony Yesterday

 

Photo by Kiana Bosman on Unsplash

The inauguration ceremony yesterday was noteworthy! 

What was particularly important and noteworthy was that strong women, groundbreaking women, and peoples of color were prominent in the ceremony. It is impossible to predict how an event like this will impact us until we experience it. There was a profound emotion present in witnessing so many women and people of color at the forefront yesterday. It is heartening. And the ceremony was healing, in that, finally we have shifted to a sane, more conscious, and kinder tone in leadership.  

Here are some stand out moments you won't want to miss:

• The Inaugural Youth Poet Laureate: Amanda Gorman, and the recitation of her poem, "The Hill We Climb": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz4YuEvJ3y4
• Georgia Fire Captain Andrea M. Hall reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, and also signing American Sign Language: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1CIISxQmA4
• Senator Amy Klobuchar delivering the Inaugural introduction(s):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGb5m505dtE
  
• Lady Gaga singing the National Anthem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7Fw2cxQspM
• Jennifer Lopez singing "This Land Is Your Land" (with interjected sentences of encouragement regarding justice for all in Spanish) prior to the swearing in of President Biden: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEAtsgMsWmo 
• Dr. Jill Biden holding the bible as President Biden was sworn in: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZ8cxUPXkC8
  
• Justice Sonia Sotomayor swearing Vice President Harris in: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVl2Y4bSR58
  

So far it seems that the importance and significance of this, of women and people of color being at the forefront of the inauguration, is being lost on male talk show hosts and other talking heads on air and online. For many others, it is not at all lost on us. 

What a historic day it was! And the sun is shining bright today, giving a respite before we must once again dive in to face and address the many considerable challenges before us (personally and collectively). It was a good day, and hopefully a harbinger of better days to come. 

Most important to me was listening to Amanda Gorman recite her gorgeous poem. There is nothing more wonderful than to listen to the fiery passion of a poet. I remember the timeless moment when Maya Angelou recited her poem for President Obama's inauguration, and Amanda Gorman's moment was just as important and great. 

I saw strong women rightfully claiming space, rights, justice, truth, creativity, governance for all yesterday. It was altogether a new experience, and quite welcome, as the sudden moisture around my lashes informed me.

until next time, 

take good care of you! 

Chandra

(C. S. Sherin)