Residents of South L.A. in Disbelief Over Obama Presidency
Neila Jamee | 1-23-2009 | Comments |
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While millions gathered in Washington, D.C., Womack joined hundreds of students, faculty, community leaders, and local residents in the auditorium of Foshay Learning Center to celebrate the inauguration of President Barack Obama on Tuesday. Foshay partnered with organizers of Community Coalition, a non-profit organization that works with residents of South L.A. to provide locals with a safe and healthy community, to watch Obama take the oath of office, effectively becoming the 44th president of the United States.
The inauguration of President Obama marks a milestone in South L.A.--a community with a large African-American base. Unfortunately, the city has struggled for decades, with problems such as crime, drugs, and poverty.
On Tuesday, however, the diverse crowd, consisting of people of different ages, cultures, and racial backgrounds, collectively cheered and waved American flags back and forth at the nation's new leader, unable to contain their elation. Some people in the crowd believe an African-American commander-in-chief symbolizes a new chapter within the community; they hope the presidency will bring about concrete change in South L.A, as well as the world. Most were merely in disbelief of the significant occasion.
"I grew up in Alabama, so as I watched him stand on the steps and take that oath, a bunch of memories from my childhood and a lot of the aspects of segregation in the South (resonated with me). I think about my grandparents, I think about my parents, I think about teachers and mentors that I've had who have tried to inspire good character...I just think of so many things they've experienced. It's very emotional," Womack said.
Yasuda Aisha, 36, from Nebraska, missed the inaugural address, but described the impossible feat Obama had to overcome.
"Something was done that no one ever thought could be done. I wish my mom was alive right now to see this monumental moment. This is a wonderful feeling for all of us," said Aisha.
Sharon Downs, 46, who has worked at Foshay for 17 years as a teacher's aide, was unable to dry her tears as she spoke of the nation's leader.
"We have a new President; a new African-American president. It's a beautiful thing. It means...peace and love and joy...everybody is supposed to get along, no matter the color or the race. It's a beautiful day today," she said.
Romy Phillips, 47, a yoga instructor from Santa Monica, said she was overwhelmed with emotion watching Obama recite the oath of office.
"I was crying. The thought of it is amazing to me. I think during the whole campaign, I was excited, but now it actually happened. We turned a corner in our lives," said Phillips.
Although Obama signifies a notable change, Phillips knows it won't be done by the president himself.
"His speeches are inspiring, and he's saying we're all going to have to work hard to make these changes happen; but they're not going to happen without us all making a collective effort," she said.
Mae Wallace, 81, a member of Community Coalition, recalled her personal hardships as Obama was being sworn into office. She was forced to raise herself after losing her mother at the age of 10.
"I was born and raised on a plantation. I went through a lot," she said.
Wallace said she never believed the day would come where an African-American would become the commander-in-chief. Now she's excited to share this day with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
"You know what? I feel good. I feel good that nothing is racial...we are coming together. Because I don't love colors. I love people," Wallace said.
Similar to Wallace, Sylvia Hull, 63, never believed she would see an African-American president in her lifetime--let alone right now.
"Never, never, never! All the way up to the time he was nominated, I didn't believe it. It happened and I did not believe it really happened," she said.
Hull said Obama finally represents the nation as a united front.
"He represents everybody coming together. Togetherness," she said.
From a 63-year-old woman to a 16-yr-old high school junior, the message was the same.
"The whole community just joined; we're together. It's such a great experience. I'll be able to reflect on this later in the years, and tell other people, 'yes, we were together in the auditorium and we were cheering!'" And we were just together and enjoying this moment," said Edlin Velasquez, a student at Foshay.
While most people were overcome with the image of an African-American head-of-state, others hoped this would inspire real change within the community.
In his 20-minute inaugural speech, Obama said "we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age." The crowd at Foshay cheered loudly.
Hull believes Obama should begin his presidency with this promise of higher learning.
"(We should) make sure the children are educated. Start with education. And educate parents so they can get better jobs, so they can take better care of their children," she said.
"I was born in poverty," Hull continued. "I had God in my heart and that's why I've been able to make it. But people in South Central need help."
Keshia Sexton, 24, a member of the Community Coalition, believes Obama's background as a community organizer gives hope to those in the community.
"It was very emotional to see him being elected; to see someone from a community organizing perspective to be in office. Hopefully he'll work with the people to bring about the changes we need in South L.A. and throughout the world," she said.
Karume James, 24, a community organizer, said Obama's inauguration reminded him of the history of activism, as well as the community members who helped make his presidency a reality.
"What's going to make the biggest impact is whether or not the same community people who were there for his election, the same people who were there for the nomination... if they are the ones who stand up. That's what will make this historic moment real," James said.
"This is an exciting day, but now the real work begins," he said.
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