I am an emotional wreck currently. Unlike four years ago when I was completely sullen and forlorn because I understood that dark days were ahead, my rollercoaster of emotions are positive ones–joy, love, pride, unity, and a sense of calm. I feel like for the very first time, I can exhale.
There’s new leadership in charge.
All day, I’ve been smiling and enjoying social media and it’s camaraderie around one common thread: hope. I saw the first woman to be sworn in as the second in command. The fact that Kamala is both a Black and Asian woman does not go unnoticed to me. I saw her take the oath of office, resplendent in her purple wares, the color of the result of red and blue being combined into one.
I saw her hand on the bible that belonged to Thurgood Marshall as she was being sworn in by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic and Latina member of the Court. I saw her husband beaming at her side with loving glances. I saw Joe Biden, the pride of Delaware and the once-second-in-command to my favorite President, step into the role he earned. I witnessed history as the world looked on at this truly remarkable changing on the guard.
I was at work, at my desk trying to do my job while watching this moment on my iPhone, doing everything I could to remain professional when on the inside, I wanted to squeal with glee.
This was an experience that I will always remember, always relish, and always look upon with fondness.
I feel lighter, freer, and optimistic. There’s so much work that has to be done—Covid is still running rampant and people are struggling financially. I know that it will take time for everything to get better, but now I can actually take solace in the fact that our new leadership will do the job they were hired to do. They are capable and rely on real experts, and I feel safer than I have felt in years.
Inaugural Poet Amanda Gorman said the words that we needed to hear, and it was like salve being applied to a festering wound that refused to heal. After one dose of compassion and dignity mixed with strength and look towards the future, she’s the elixir that we needed. Biden’s speech called for unity and a coming together as one and was well written and delivered, but Amanda spoke the words that I have been trying to express, but didn’t know how to.
Michelle and Barack were real-life royalty with a swagger and aura that captivates still to this day. Bernie sat on his chair with his mittens and unbothered looking like he wanted pop his head in, then leave, and unknowingly turned into meme central.
Lady Gaga sang brilliantly, J-Lo reminded us that she’s still Jenny from the block, and former presidents, VIP’s, and dignitaries looked with pride.
It’s been a long four years.
I know our problems won’t go away overnight and this new administration has some tough days ahead unraveling the mess they inherited. It won’t be pretty, but it’ll get done. We have to take it one day at a time.
There have been many days when I felt defeated, hated, disrespected, and disregarded, but today, I felt seen. I felt understood. I felt cared for through all of the pageantry and pomp and circumstance.
This is far from my usual blog post, as I haven’t sat down and shared my feelings on this site for awhile, but I couldn’t let this moment go without sharing my thoughts with you. The light at the end of the tunnel is not just a fantasy—there is a light in the far distance that blurry in the foggy night that shines. It’s a faint vision, but I see it.
I’m proud to be a Black woman. I’m proud that my kids won’t have to say “the first” anymore. Like Kamala said, “I may be the first woman in this office, but I will not be the last.”
Word to Kamala.
There’s a promise of a new day.
Photo credit: Getty Images
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