A New Definition

Today we made it into DC and attended the We Are One concert at the Lincoln Memorial. Surprisingly our commute into the city was an easy one. We parked at one of the Metro stations in Maryland and hoped on a train going into the city with very little people. We didn't run into a crowd until we got downtown - but it was orderly and everyone was following directions.

Upon our arrival to the concert area to Ireta's delight there were rows and rows of Port o Potties!
Now, if you know Ireta you know that this set her mind at ease and we were ready to explore. We walked around a little bit to get an idea of who was there and we were absolutely blown away. As far as we could see there were people, thousands and thousands and thousands of people. Different races, ages, accents...It is really an awesome sight to witness such a sea of humanity!
The concert was fantastic - if you get a chance to see it on HBO it is worth a look. There was a mix of music performers singing inspiring songs and anthems and well known celebrities giving a historical perspective. Interestingly during the speaking parts it was weirdly quiet, with all of those people you could hear clearly what was being said. I guess like me everyone was waiting to hear the magic...the "I have a dream" of the day. I don't know if anyone got those words but I know that for me the day affirmed me as an American. I know that it sounds corny but I really felt proud to be an American. Throughout my life I've had this view that being proud of America meant defining a world agenda without the help of the diversity that makes up this world. I never related to this but I absolutely relate to the resolve, hopefulness and anticipation of Change that was evident in the crowd today. And for me that redefines what I thought being proud to be an American meant.
And here's Ireta with her perspective: It was a great day - far easier than I imagined! In fact, when we got caught in a mass of people leaving, it was actually kind of cool and interesting. I think that's testimony to the fact that, as in Grant Park, everybody was in a good mood, kind of on the same team.

Rashanda also left out a crucial celebrity-sighting. After the concert we walked over to see the White House and we saw the Bushes' dogs on the lawn! Unfortunately they went into the bushes (haha) before we could grab a picture, but Rashanda was able to take this great pic of the White House.
We walked a ways to DuPont Circle, and despite the crowds had a relaxing dinner and even managed to meet up with a D.C.-based friend before beginning the trek back out to our Maryland hotel.

On a closing note, I want to say that I agree with Rashanda's thoughts about patriotism. During the campaign, I had this feeling that Obama redefined for me what it means to be patriotic, a word I was never before would have said described me. What Obama's message, and yesterday's message, said to me is that it's patriotic to believe that America is still striving to meet its ideals and that its a patriotic act to be a part of working toward that ideals. Another big theme of the concert was "freedom," and again, I think there was a sense of reclaiming what that word can mean from the past several years. In our quest for a more perfect union, freedom from things like hunger and hate are just as important as the other civil liberties we value. I haven't heard a President talk about that before in my lifetime.