Living in coronaviriuswolrd 242: Inauguration Day

 

1/20

Bernie

The day begins with our Underground conversation. Early on, there is the sound of cheering from one of our rooms as word begins to spread that Trump has left the White House for the last time. We have been waiting for this day for four years. We talk of Brian McClaren’s call for a new movement of Christians to reclaim the integrity of our tradition by focusing on the following of Jesus as a way of life and not giving assent and demanding allegiance to a set fo theological propositions and social mandates. (https://wildgoosefestival.org/christianity-after-trump/?blm_aid=52107) We spend a lot of time talking about the difference between biases and values and the need of a community to help us check our biases and the need for a diversity of biases within a community to keep us honest. 

Steve P, in reflecting on the refusal of Republicans to wear masks, uses the analogy of “peeing in the pool.” Why is the concept so hard to get? 

I share my thoughts on the new movie “One Night in Miami” (https://www.amazon.com/Night-Miami-Leslie-Kingsley-Ben-Adir/dp/B08NLFDCXZ) about the meeting in Miami after Cassius Clay wins the title for the first time. Clay, football player Jim Brown, singer Sam Cooke and Malcom X gather to discuss Clay’s immanent conversion to Islam and the direction of the struggle for Black liberation in the US. The dynamics of that conversation are still very much with us today. I was moved by Malcolm’s playing Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind” and challenging Sam Cooke to use his talent for the struggle. Cooke’s “A Change is gonna come.” would later help to define the era.

                                                       " A change is gonna come"

I turn on the ceremony. Jennifer Lopez sings “This Land is Your Land”, of course leaving out the radical verses, and my brother texts me that Woody must be spinning in his grave. After a shout out to unity in Spanish…and an odd reference to her own song, “Let’s get loud,” she segued into ‘America the Beautiful,” a performance which set the tone for many other performances over the course of the day. Lady Gaga pretty much killed it with her take on the National Anthem. (When I see her, I see not only the star but the young woman who attends mass with her mom in one of our local neighborhood churches where a friend of mine served as priest.) Andrea Gorman’s poem restated passionately much of what new President Biden had said in his quiet, dignified, and sincere way in his acceptance speech. And then there was Garth Brooks in his cowboy hat singing the first ‘Amazing Grace” of the day.  Thankfully, the day went off without incident. Although having to surround the capitol with armed troops is still a strange and disturbing site, a legacy of the deputing president.  But my favoirte image of course, is Berne Sanders in his parka and mittens becoming a meme.

Somehow, in another inauguration day miracle, I manage to get an appointment for a Covid vaccination tomorrow at 7:45 AM. 

Later I would watch the Salute to America Inauguration special produced in lieu of the Covid cancelled balls. Tom Hanks hosted. Every musical genre was checked and most ethnicities.  Heroic workers from around th country were introduced and  told their stories. There would be yet another Amazing Grace and a Hallelujah at the memorial for the Covid victims. (Question: has anyone ever actually listened to the words of that song?) The President and Vice President spoke, as did three former Presidents, Bush, Clinton and Obama. Reminding me again how once  upon time, dignity  and decency were expected. It all ended with the first couples  holding hands as we watched a gigantic fireworks display.

Okay. Here’s the thing. Sure, some of this felt over the top, cheesy, schmaltzy, middle brow? I'm looking for the right word. But in all that, I felt strangely comforted. It's as if the normal, annoying America was back, and it was wonderful. On at least three occasions I found myself tearing up with this sense of gratitude…and relief.

I took the time to watch the former President’s farewell. This great bete noire (bete orange?) of American politics seemed so small, even pathetic. Not to discount the wreck and ruin of these last four years, or the recent still shocking siege of the capitol, but the lingering image is one of smallness.

The incoming administration did it all right. Did all they could to reassure us that we were back in familiar territory again. A country we could recognize. For this I give thanks.