At DuSable, a new milestone is hailed
Celebration at South Side museum marks Obama’s place in African American journey
By Katie Buitrago
CHICAGO — “This little light of mine,” a swell of voices rang out, over a darkness twinkling with red, white, and blue lights. “I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!”
The theater in the DuSable Museum of African American History, just west of Hyde Park in the Washington Park neighborhood, was brimming with bodies and feeling Tuesday, as visitors sang the spiritual and waved glow sticks in celebration after President Barack Obama’s inauguration speech.
Master of Ceremony Oba William King strode around the room, stoking the crowd’s excitement.
“This is what Barack Obama was talking about,” King said. “Find your light, and let it shine! Let it shine for everyone.”
DuSable’s inauguration ceremony, “Celebrate the Dream,” was equal parts historical reverence and euphoria. The face of Martin Luther King Jr. was prominently displayed at both sides of the stage and James Weldon Johnson’s “Negro National Anthem” was sung; the program included a “Historical Guest List” that imagined an inaugural ball full of prominent African American figures, from George Washington Carver to Rosa Parks to Jimi Hendrix.
Dr. Stephanie Davenport kicked off the ceremony with an African “libation” rite, in which she poured water over a tree as a blessing for Obama, and Malik Camora and Joshua Alexander gave an African salute of drumming and dancing after the speech.
Obama, sometimes called the post-racial candidate, was firmly placed in a racial narrative here. His election was presented as a milestone on African Americans’ long and storied journey, one that started on the coasts of Africa, passed through Selma and Montgomery, Ala., and made a stop Tuesday at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
“Rosa sat so Martin could walk,” concluded the program. “Martin walked so Obama could run. Obama won, and our children will fly!”
The crowd gave the loudest cheers to Barack, Michelle, Sasha, and Malia Obama, with Aretha Franklin and the Rev. Joseph Lowery coming a close second. During the speech, some shouted “Yes!” and “Tell it!” while others sat quietly with tears running down their faces, dabbing their eyes with American flag handkerchiefs.
Celestine Willis originally had other plans for Inauguration Day. “I planned two years ago to be at inauguration,” she said. “But I had a heart attack on Dec. 6 and things changed for me.”
Willis, like many others, expressed a mix of emotions: concern about the economy, a feeling of historical fulfillment, a guiding sense of hope, and a need for solidarity.
“Being an African American woman and an African American woman with a disability, I understand struggle,” she said. “I understand pulling together. I understand community and grassroots support. I think he’s going to ask us [to pull together] today. He’s only one person—we’re all going to have to do this together.”
Tim and Terri Depies of the North Side brought their two children to the DuSable.
“We worked really hard volunteering for the campaign,” said Terri. “We didn’t let our son Nick stay up for the election, but we really wanted him to have a sense of ownership for his work getting Barack Obama elected. This is a great alternative and a great way to celebrate with other like-minded people and other black families.”
When asked if he was excited to see inauguration, Nick, sitting stick-straight with his little sister in his lap, solemnly responded, “Yes.” By the end of the speech, his sister had been returned to Terri; Nick was literally on the edge of his seat, mouth agape in awe.
To close the ceremony, Oba William King led the song “I Love My People.” The crowd sang of celebrating African American self-worth. Before exiting the stage for the last time, King broke into spontaneous dance. “Obama is president! Obama is president! Obama is president! Woo, I can’t believe it.”
