The Morning After

I imagine a certain (perhaps rather large segment of the US public) is waking up this morning, sheets sweaty, panic-stricken heart pounding in their chest, wondering where they are and what the hell just happened. No, I'm not talking about the drunk slut at the bar, who forgot her birth control, I'm talking about the majority of Republican (White) America. 

Let me preface this, which is usually my qualifier that what I'm about to say isn't going to be popular, and I'm wanting this to buffer my credibility. I come from straight (hetero) Republican stock, not counting my great grandparents who were Southern Democrats who were apparently unable to give up the ghost after turning into Cotton Choppers instead of Cotton Aristocracy. We weren't religious zealots, but look up WASP in the dictionary I'm sure you'll see our family portrait next to it. But then I shocked everyone and came out (not only as a liberal, but a queer to boot) and now my parents sit wondering what went wrong. Maybe before I should go on I should also note that folks at work treat me like the rest of the black folks. Summary? I can fit in most anywhere, and usually do, but it can make me a bit of an outsider with my kin. 

I thought about me being on the outside yesterday when I was watching the Inauguration. I got goosebumps, from the speech, to the prayer to the fact that I do have a renewed sense of hope, in spite of the fact that so many voices are shouting nothing but pessimism. Here's the breakdown:

What I Liked: 

1. Rick Warren's prayer. Well this was basically the end when he just transitioned into the Lord's Prayer. I love the Lord's Prayer, and find so much comfort in hearing it and saying it, also I think it's universal. 
2. I loved that both the old and new First Families seem to have a genuine respect for each other, and that Michelle gave Laura a gift. 
3. Obama not throwing Justice Roberts under the bus. First African-American President, not of your party, semi-hostile (to Roberts) crowd,  you'd be nervous too.
4. Rev. Lowry's Benediction minus the "white" part. Isn't that just reverse racism, and which is worse?
5. The Bidens kissed their dad. I didn't grow up doing that and it's like seeing a foreign custom that you want to copy, but maybe it was a grass is always greener thing. 
6. Sasha Obama now has the title Miss Thang, because you know she thinks she's cute.
7. Michelle got down to the bands.
8. Malia was taking picture of everything. Finally a student interested in history.
9. Michelle's and Laura's outfits. The green gloves, especially, were off the chain. 

What I didn't like:

1. Michelle's ball dress (It was not flattering to her). 
2. Booing Bushie. He may not have made the best decisions. I look at the Presidency like Parenthood. There are precedents, not a manual. Bushie (yay Molly!) did the best he could with what he had, and he deserves respect. 
3. Aretha's hat. While my inner queer wanted to snatch that off her head, it was just too much New Money and the WASP in me wanted to burn it on her head to teach her a lesson. 
4. I wanted Aretha to wear fur. I mean for real, we all know she's on PETA's Top Ten Most Wanted. 
5. Cheney hurt himself. Couldn't he hire movers?
6. Reading into the wording of the inauguration speech. I mean really, can't we just enjoy the day. I'm tired of the Obama Muslim conspiracy. The Religious Right Conspiracy is far more real from where I'm sitting. Can anyone say Prop 8?

There it is. The Morning After, bright, shining, scary and new. Good luck Mr. President. We're watching you.