History witnessed after long journey to capital

By Portia Mathews
Jan. 22, 2009    ·    4:06 a.m.

-- Editor’s note: Eastern Michigan student and Ypsilanti resident Portia Mathews left to attend the inauguration in Washington D.C. this weekend.

The journalism student will be writing regular reports on her experience in our nation’s capital for those of us in Ypsilanti. Please stay with the Citizen to keep up to date on her travels. --

Up and at 'em!

6 a.m. is relatively late for thousands of die-hard inauguration participants. But, it turned out to be the recipe for smooth sailing into nation’s capitol.

As we ventured bravely with optimism into the 37 degree weather, bundled in layers of clothing, we were still uneasy about our time management.

"Are you folks headed into the city," a Fairfax, Va. Resident asks, "I couldn't get to work this morning because the Metro is packed."

The look of worry and disappointment emerged on all of our faces. He wished us luck and while quickly heading into his home to figure out how he was going to get to work.

Unwavering to the traffic and crowds, we headed to Shady Grove to catch the Red Line. To our surprise the 30 mile drive was manageable. According to Jud, it was no different from traffic on a normal day. Upon arriving at the station, we pay $4 for parking and head to the 6th floor of the parking structure.

Just getting off the elevator, a woman dressed in a Statue of Liberty outfit offers us a breakfast donut. Considering food will be hard to come by because of the crowd and expensive, we dig in. And that's not all that was free. People were standing by the bus stop and on the corners handing out The New York Times Magazine, Express Night Out, and the Examiner.

We all grab passes to the Metro. Some had Obama's face on the back, mine of course had panda’s. Just in time and with no wait up to this point, we board the Red Line headed for Judiciary Square.

A security guard advises us to go to the cars at the end of the train. Flabbergasted by the cars emptiness we grab four seats. The next view stops filled the car up fast. Before we knew the brakes squeaked and we were at a halt.

A man came on the intercom and said a man had been hit by the train and there was going to be a delay. Faces dropped and murmurs filled the cabin. After a few minutes we began to move again. People cautiously got off at the next few stops, but we stayed on. We remain on until the police cleared the train and we walked from there.

As we walk out the station, the streets are covered with people in every direction. The city was ours. A majority of the businesses were closed except for drug stores and coffee shops. Although it is cold there, was warmth in the air. Citizens gathered in mass to celebrate an important day of history.

Along the long walk to the National Mall, we chatted and danced with anyone willing to celebrate. All around people are selling Obama this and Obama that. I should have made and sold Obama potholders or something, because these people are making a killing. Even Obama hand warmers were going for $2 to $5.

Police and soldiers effectively kept order on the streets while the mob flooded toward the mall. Once in, we headed toward the Washington Monument to find a spot. Finally we decide to rest in the midst of the horde, just left of the monument, and wait a little over an hour for the event to start.

While waiting, celebrities and past presidents are announced on the speakers and shown on the large screens for those of us not close enough to the Capital. George and Laura Bush arrive and are booed almost in harmony by the unsatisfied citizens.

Just moments before passing the torch, Bush got a chance to actually hear the people, and to hear them in record breaking mass. When the Obama's arrive there are cheers roaring through the crowds.

Barack is sworn in after a few speeches and performances. The crowd grew silent as he began his speech toward change. The overwhelming energy of the crowd flew over D.C. People attentively listened eager to hear the promising words spilling out of his mouth.

The speech is over and my toes frozen. Groups of people begin heading toward the exits. Cpl. Gates of the United States Army said, "I am interested in seeing how Obama assists the soldiers in Iraq, and hopefully getting us some better equipment."

With no reservations about Obama and his administration the soldier from Baltimore, Md. remains dedicated to his country saying, "Being a soldier I am still going to do my job."

A Birmingham, Ala. resident said, "We are starting with a clean slate with a different perspective on change. I truly think he will do a good job."

A helicopter with George W. Bush and family are leaving the state's capitol. And the crowd expressed their gratitude for his departure.

"This event shows how versatile the country can be," said Dennis of Memphis, Tenn. "It opens the door for more possibilities. The rest of the world will take notice."

Trying to get out of the mall is insane. There is no where to go.

Huddled together like cattle we wait, and wait, moving only inches every few minutes. The weather is beginning to get to crowd and the people grow impatient. About an hour and 15 minutes later we get passed the stone barricades that caused the congestion.

Once again, we flood the streets that are now covered in trash. We walk through the city for miles, reflecting on the glory of the day. Never had I been apart of an event so massive, never had I thought there would be an African-American president in my lifetime, never had I thought I would be able to experience such a proud day for America, for our history.