On Jan. 20, 2009 the 44th president of the United States, Barack Obama, was sworn in at his inauguration with 1.8 million people in attendance, reported AP. On Jan. 20, 2017 the 45th president of the United States, Donald Trump (it even looks upsetting in writing) was sworn in at his inauguration with an estimated of 800,000 maximum people in attendance. Obama’s inauguration numbers were double the amount of people that attended Trumps inauguration. With over 60 democratic officers who protested this inauguration, there’s no mistaking the infamy of today.
Now we all know numbers don’t lie- but does Beyoncé? Not only were Trump’s numbers half the amount of Obama but their inaugural concerts seem to show a fitting set list too. Obama’s inaugural concert featured names from Beyoncé to John Legend to Tom Hanks. In stark contrast, Trump’s inaugural concert line up features names such as Toby Keith and The Frontmen of Country. Who are they again?
This year’s inauguration was an all round disappointment for millions of Americans. Who was gonna blame you for turning on Netflix instead of watching the inauguration? Who gonna blame you I you don’t want to witness “a peaceful transition of power” or “history in the making.” If I wanted to know what happened at the inauguration, I’d google it. Because it’s 2017 and google is free.
For some of us, we are on the brink of that small hope that when we wake up tomorrow his will all have been a dream. Some of us are still expecting Obama to show up at work tomorrow bright and early. And some of us are still in shock that a talking Cheeto-puff is getting more representation in our media, our government and our society than people of color and people of the LGBT+ community.
The inauguration is just one painful step to come in duration of this presidency. But just because we are not watching, does not mean that we will be silent. This inauguration is just a turning point for what to come and if anything we will not be silenced. My generation- this generation is a movement in itself and we will keep on fighting- regardless of whether we watched the inauguration or not.
To have witnessed history will pale in comparison to having created it.
