Did you cry?

I almost teared up; I had that feeling in my throat. I definitely had chills (good chills—the ones I get when I witness a great performance).

It was a really powerful moment because it was my first time being old enough to vote, and the first inauguration I’ve watched. I think it’s the one I’ll remember for the rest of my life, so yeah that’s really emotional for me.

I got choked up. It was in the lead-up to the event, and also when some people entered the stage. For some reason, by the time Obama got there, I was composed again. Well, maybe when to took the oath. Aretha did it for me, too.

yeah, i definitely started getting teary. i’ve never watched an inauguration before, and this is the first election that i’ve actually had a grasp on what’s going on. and i’m so excited and anxious and optimistic and kind of worried all at the same time.
i got teary during barrack’s speech, and also during the reverend’s speech. joseph? i can’t remember his last name. i really liked him,

I got choked up, he is a very good speech giver. It was amazing how many people watched around the country/world just for this one man to roll up his sleeves and get some work done. I remember the Clinton inauguration they played it on the loudspeaker in school, but i’m so much older to appreciate it.

Actually, I did, but I wasn’t watching the inauguration (don’t worry it’s related).

To make a long story short, I was waiting to get lunch at the time he started talking (12ish). My email stopped working on my phone (again) so I called T-Mobile to get the service books sent again. I got an African-American man who was (understandably) euphoric with joy and didn’t fix my phone but (even better!!) upgraded me to the one I wanted with discounts and over 20 days before it’s actually out to non-business customers.

I was bewildered, happy, and confused. He was saying “god bless god bless!” I’ve NEVER seen (well, heard) anyone so happy. It actually made me happy seeing him happy, and I was grateful for what he did for me.

A few minutes later, standing in the lunch line, I realized the historical and emotional significance of this day. I also realized that I probably would never understand it fully, as I am not African-American and haven’t been discriminated against. While I am happy that others are happy (despite my Republican beliefs and I wanted McCain), I will probably never fully appreciate its significance. And how could I? I’ve never had racial discrimination felt towards me. I’ll never get it. I can’t imagine how blacks across America feel. The joy, the euphoria…I dismissed it before but now it makes sense. I bet if I was black too, having faced such obstacles, I would be watching him.

I started to tear up as I ate my egg salad sandwich. I still have yet to see the inauguration.

Aw, Rev Dr Lowery is so old school. Loved it! And he worked in the black national anthem to encompass our whole country wonderfully. My grandma used to say something that horrified me as a kid about what she saw the hierarchy was in the US (“if you’re white, you’re all right; if you’re brown, stick around; if you’re black, get back”), and Rev Dr Lowery straight up flipped that script. He FTFU. w00t!

I certainly got choked up! I think I went beyond that to numb. Truly numb.

I watched with so much joy in my heart. I was never before so pourd of being American and definitely choked up at several points.

“hope is the thing with feathers…” (emily dickinson)

I didn’t cry, but as I sat there watching I thought, “There’s going to be a question on Fluther for people to talk about how they cried.”

I cried, before he actually took the oath. Just seeing the number of people there, the hope and happiness on their faces. Knowing deep inside that our lives, our world will get better.

Being a non-american, I was pretty indifferent. The main reason for this is that, despite its symbolic significance, this event does not change the world all that much. People who think that tomorrow starts a new era of peace and prosperity are just daydreaming. Sure, Clinton stopped the war in Iraq. And started one in Yugoslavia. So it’s going to be more or less the same old world for the rest of us.

I loved seekingwolf’s answer, especially because it comes from a Republican. I have sort of felt that way a few years ago for a different reason, though I am not black either and so it is not the same as what he’s describing with the phone guy. But I did cry when that thing happened, so I can sort of imagine how that phone guy may have felt. Or almost.

Whichever way you see it, this can be powerful stuff. It’s an amazing story, even if it (sadly) does not change the world.

I cried, but I cry about everything. It was the poise and reverence that put me over the edge. I stand behind Obama and everything he represents, but theres just something about people coming together for a common purpose that always gets me.

I definitely cried, and there’s a story I found particularly touching. I was talking to a former American Government teacher of mine who is African-American was talking to me about election night. He was with his grandchildren, one of whom, watching the speech in Chicago said, “Maybe I can live in the White House too now!” She is six years old, and if that doesn’t resonate with the kind of earnest truth that can only come from a child, I don’t know what does. I was so touched when I heard that.

I didn’t cry, but there were definitely points I started choking up and I would have cried, had I tried to speak.

With Obama being President now, even if he is unable to change things in a dramatic way, what a lot of people don’t realize is that this day is still a life-changing moment, especially for America. It’s a step in the right direction and it opens doors for the future, ones that were previously shut and shut tight.

One of the things that really got to me was watching the people that were being filmed, completely unaware of the fact. The focus they had while taking everything in, the tears slowly running down their faces, the parents of children that had unashamed, unhidden hope on their faces. The footage of masses of people gathered, in different states and even different countries… That is what got to me the most. All of those people, and there were so many of them, that are hoping for and wanting a better world. How could anyone not be moved or inspired by it?

The change we need and want may not happen while Obama is in office, and that’s okay. But it now will, eventually. Small steps have been taken, but small steps are better than no steps and I am extremely glad that this actually happened in my lifetime. The great thing is that I’m still very young and I have much, much more to witness… And for once in my life, I actually think the future has the chance to be beautiful.

I didn’t cry, as I didn’t watch it. If it was that moving, I probably should. Congrats on your new president, folks!

I got a little teary-eyed and I’m not even American.

@tits, that is so sweet. i’m excited to go to school tomorrow and see everyones’ reactions, especially since the majority of my teachers voted for obama (:

I cried when he was elected. Today, I’ve just been beaming. I’m glad that I’m alive to see this happen.

I got choked up a few times. Aretha always does it for me. She’s always been one of my favorites. Seeing Ted Kennedy walk out with a little trouble. The musicians playing the specially composed piece. The purity of tone there was just wonderful. Several times during the speech. Just after the speech it looked like Malia told her dad he did a good job.

I didn’t get to see the actual inauguration because I was at the doctor’s office. I was able to exchange some congratulations with some folks I see semi-regularly at the drug store afterward. No one was crying but all were at least smiling.

However, as someone who remembers listening to the news from Dallas on a transistor radio on the school bus back in November of 1963, all I can do is keep praying that no idiot with a gun will ever get close enough to even try to take a shot. What bothers me most is that I honestly believe that there are people who are that racist and crazy.

Barack Obama is a good man facing a near impossible job. I wish him and his family all the best.

I did—not bawling, of course, just a few tears :)

I’m not entirely sure if it was Obama’s words or the idea of national renewal, but wow. It hit me hard.

@Darwin: I have to admit, I had a little bit of fear in the back of my mind about all that…

@everyone else: Your responses are wonderful! I’m watching the whole thing again (thank you, dvr), and it’s just as emotional experience the second time. Obama is one of the most powerful speakers, IMHO, that we’ve had as a political public figure in awhile.

Jesus wept.

I also stand ready with tissues when everyone realizes it’s still just business as usual

Yep. Cried watching it and listening to it in the car both on the way to and from work. Then when I watched the recap, I cried again. I hope to cry for the next 8 years.

I cried too. Over and over. I am moved not only by Obama, but what we as a country have chosen. Go us.

@Trustinglife I like that. “Go us!”

I missed it! I’m sick and slept the whole damn day. I’ll be watching later, when I can focus again. I bawled like a baby on election night, so I’m sure I’ll cry for this as well :)

@augustlan: Feel better.

@augustlan – I’m sorry you didn’t feel well today. It was a great day! And I think you’ll love the minister who gave the benediction!

Lowery. Joseph E. Lowery. I just watched him again. Very skilled, very professional, but he’s an artist: what beautiful phrasing, and fun too. weeping
I enjoyed the multiculti “Simple Gifts” musicians, a lovely job. weeping
Tiny little Asian child fast asleep behind the Obamas, was that Sunday? I think so. Now I’ll think of her being there every time I see the O’s sitting down in coats in the winter. not weeping, just liking it
Obamas and W Bushes continually putting their arms out to touch each other before the
B’s got on the dumpy little helicopter and faded away forever. Well, no, Laura didn’t touch anyone or let anyone touch her. Sorry. weeping/stopped
People’s faces. Not like at Grant Park, over the moon; dignified-happy. weeping

that poem.
weeping

my own old age redeemed by our having chosen an adult weeping

Thanks guys. I can’t wait to see it!

It was nice, well written. Touched on some good points, particularly the reaching out to other countries.

However, the more I get into it, the more I become aware that the time and effort it’ll take to clean up and get back on track may easily outlast many American’s “motivation span”.