Thank you for sharing your memories of that very different inaugural day. I remember being so moved simply by Obama’s saying “I, Barack Hussein Obama,” thinking we might be moving toward a different US. I have to remind myself that the struggle has taken a dark turn, but this country has been hard for many people since it was established. Just gotta keep working.
Thanks for the story, the more I read of your stories the more impressed I am. I enjoyed todays Zoom hearing from others. I have learned so much from so many of the writers in the collaborative, when I return to work and have more "disposable?" income I will become a paid subscriber to you and many of them. I am currently recovering from knee surgery left one replaced already and the right is scheduled tomorrow. On the transgender issue, our 33 yr. old autistic son ( with some other mental issues) wanted to become a woman. We supported his issue until we found the hormone meds caused troubling behaviors for him. we tried to talk to him about it but he became defensive. Finally with him almost catatonic he was admitted to Mary Greeley Behavioral Health unit. He was fine once the hormones were flushed from his system. He was told by someone at the hospital that those hormones don't cause those kinds of problems. He has also had a couple of brain traumas in car accidents. His brain is not a normally functioning brain. He went to a pharmacy and got the meds again
I just opened the MSNBC app on our TV for the first time since November today. We're going to have to be mindful, pay attention to the shell game Trump uses to bait and switch his objectives. Thank you Julie!
I was at the Women's March in 2016 - and full of anger, but also hope. The march was cathartic. I didn't march this time, but I wish I had. I too thought Obama's wins meant momentum and progress. Never underestimate self-interest, manipulation and inertia - which give birth to racism and misogyny.
Thank you Julie. I am so thankful for the Okoboji writing community that showed me Substack and led me to so many like-minded voices. What a great memory with your son, both of you who had the privilege to be there. I read Heather Cox Richardson this morning talking about MLK’s Mountaintop speech the day before he died. He was glad he was born into turbulent times because “only when it’s darkest can we see the stars.” They are all over and he wanted us to know “I may not get there with you… but God has taken me to the mountaintop… and we will reach the promised land.” Stars and torches and dream catchers may we be.
Thank you, Julie. I, too, thought Obama's victory would be the beginning of the end of racism. We had Hope and what could be better than that? At the time we did not know of the republican cabal that met in McConnell's office that evening to plot how to make President Obama a one-term president. Racism did not end because republicans needed to whip it up in order to win. And look where we are now...........................
Thanks, Alison. I have an on-and-off relationship with painting. It feels so frivolous under the circumstances. That’s why I quit in the 70s. But resurrected that part of me when I went through yet another career reinvention when I moved to Annapolis.
Thank you Julie for this reflection. I'm finding it incredibly hard to wrap my head around what is happening today. This event and just reading about how our Iowa Department of Education is proposing to take out the words "climate change" and removing details like the Earth's age from scientific standards. Too much for one day.
I was on the mall with my husband and 2 kids. I had planned it like D-day, even to the point of getting portable camping stools so we could sit down rather than stand for 6 hours. We didn't need to worry about a place to stay; my sister Claudia has a townhouse in Old Town Alexandria, 3/4 of a mile from a metro stop. What struck me that day is that there were, literally, millions of people and yet I have never been in such a joyous crowd. Everyone helped one another; there was no pushing or shoving; the light of human hope and kindness seemed to hang over Washington. Yes, it was freezing. Afterward, I bought pictures from the NY Times, where I still worked, of the sea of humanity stretching from the Capitol to the Washington Monument, and the framed photos, along with a pic of the four of us and unused tickets to the inaugural, hang in our house. (I only had tickets for two and the kids refused to use them, saying we would never find each other afterwards in the crowd). Later, I said to my son, in mid-summer that year, "Isn't it nice that we went to Obama's inaugural?" "Yes, and my feet are STILL cold," he replied. !!!
Thank you for sharing your memories of that very different inaugural day. I remember being so moved simply by Obama’s saying “I, Barack Hussein Obama,” thinking we might be moving toward a different US. I have to remind myself that the struggle has taken a dark turn, but this country has been hard for many people since it was established. Just gotta keep working.
Thanks for the story, the more I read of your stories the more impressed I am. I enjoyed todays Zoom hearing from others. I have learned so much from so many of the writers in the collaborative, when I return to work and have more "disposable?" income I will become a paid subscriber to you and many of them. I am currently recovering from knee surgery left one replaced already and the right is scheduled tomorrow. On the transgender issue, our 33 yr. old autistic son ( with some other mental issues) wanted to become a woman. We supported his issue until we found the hormone meds caused troubling behaviors for him. we tried to talk to him about it but he became defensive. Finally with him almost catatonic he was admitted to Mary Greeley Behavioral Health unit. He was fine once the hormones were flushed from his system. He was told by someone at the hospital that those hormones don't cause those kinds of problems. He has also had a couple of brain traumas in car accidents. His brain is not a normally functioning brain. He went to a pharmacy and got the meds again
Oh, Keith! You’ve been through a lot, as have they. Thanks for sharing and being a part of our community.
I just opened the MSNBC app on our TV for the first time since November today. We're going to have to be mindful, pay attention to the shell game Trump uses to bait and switch his objectives. Thank you Julie!
I was at the Women's March in 2016 - and full of anger, but also hope. The march was cathartic. I didn't march this time, but I wish I had. I too thought Obama's wins meant momentum and progress. Never underestimate self-interest, manipulation and inertia - which give birth to racism and misogyny.
Thank you Julie. I am so thankful for the Okoboji writing community that showed me Substack and led me to so many like-minded voices. What a great memory with your son, both of you who had the privilege to be there. I read Heather Cox Richardson this morning talking about MLK’s Mountaintop speech the day before he died. He was glad he was born into turbulent times because “only when it’s darkest can we see the stars.” They are all over and he wanted us to know “I may not get there with you… but God has taken me to the mountaintop… and we will reach the promised land.” Stars and torches and dream catchers may we be.
Beautiful! Thank you, Susie.
Thank you, Julie. I, too, thought Obama's victory would be the beginning of the end of racism. We had Hope and what could be better than that? At the time we did not know of the republican cabal that met in McConnell's office that evening to plot how to make President Obama a one-term president. Racism did not end because republicans needed to whip it up in order to win. And look where we are now...........................
Fantastically written, Julie. (And my God, you’re a painter, too?!?!). This post gave me the chills more than once, in both the good way and the bad.
Thanks, Alison. I have an on-and-off relationship with painting. It feels so frivolous under the circumstances. That’s why I quit in the 70s. But resurrected that part of me when I went through yet another career reinvention when I moved to Annapolis.
Thank you Julie for this reflection. I'm finding it incredibly hard to wrap my head around what is happening today. This event and just reading about how our Iowa Department of Education is proposing to take out the words "climate change" and removing details like the Earth's age from scientific standards. Too much for one day.
Sigh. Well, if you want to commiserate on the call today at noon, join me. I have no idea if anyone will show up.
I’m hoping to be there.
I was on the mall with my husband and 2 kids. I had planned it like D-day, even to the point of getting portable camping stools so we could sit down rather than stand for 6 hours. We didn't need to worry about a place to stay; my sister Claudia has a townhouse in Old Town Alexandria, 3/4 of a mile from a metro stop. What struck me that day is that there were, literally, millions of people and yet I have never been in such a joyous crowd. Everyone helped one another; there was no pushing or shoving; the light of human hope and kindness seemed to hang over Washington. Yes, it was freezing. Afterward, I bought pictures from the NY Times, where I still worked, of the sea of humanity stretching from the Capitol to the Washington Monument, and the framed photos, along with a pic of the four of us and unused tickets to the inaugural, hang in our house. (I only had tickets for two and the kids refused to use them, saying we would never find each other afterwards in the crowd). Later, I said to my son, in mid-summer that year, "Isn't it nice that we went to Obama's inaugural?" "Yes, and my feet are STILL cold," he replied. !!!
I love this memory, and knowing we share the same experience from different vantage points.
Thanks for sharing this bit of personal history. Such a life of vast and interesting and significant experiences you have had!
Indeed. Indeed.