Inauguration ‘very real’ at African American museum

At the Harrison Museum of African American Culture, men and women gather to watch Barack Obama become President of the United States.

The television blares, “Welcome to the Inauguration of the 44th president of the United States of America.”

And people shout, “Yessss, Yessss!”

Through the tears, Jackie Williams told everyone, “Ok, now don’t y’all start, don’t y’all start. Come on now, come on let’s hold it together.”

You can look in their eyes and tell, “It was like it was real.  It was really real for us,” said Darlene Lewis.

What these men and women see on the screen is, “Spectacular. Look at that,” said Williams.

Everybody takes part in all aspects of the ceremony, from standing up, praying, and singing the national anthem.

“But I really felt like I was there, part of the audience, you know, sitting right by his wife,” said Williams.

From the moment Obama walked out, Williams said, “Love his tie. I love red.“

When she saw the millions of people at the capital, she told everybody, “Now if every one of them would leave a dollar, we could feed the hungry.“

Maxine Joiner Wright’s bright smile shows what words can’t.

“You just can’t describe it. People want you to put a word on it. It’s just too hard to describe,” she said.

As Obama recited the Oath of Office, people like Williams couldn’t help but say it along with him. Then it was official for President Barack Obama, and the men and women cheered, “Yes, yes, yes we can, yes we can!”