http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VirVKlMVlk&list=UUzu_X2cUVwYki_O71F-jLAg&index=1
Tiffany Edmondson
Blue & White Flash / Associate Editor
Hundreds of thousands of people will flock to the nation’s capital on Monday, Jan. 21 to see the 44th United States President, Barack Hussein Obama, be sworn into office for a second consecutive term during the 57th Presidential Inauguration.
A group of Jackson State University will be among those in Washington, D.C. to witness the historic event.
In addition to swearing in President Obama, the nation will honor and celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The inauguration will coincide with this holiday. A National Day of Service is the official kick-off for what has been named as inauguration weekend.
With politics placed on the sidelines, President Obama is encouraging everyone to join him to live out King’s dream by working and volunteering in their communities. A massive tent has been built in front of the Smithsonian Institution to serve as a hub for the community service fair.
Nearly 100 community service organizations from across the country will be present at the fair. President Obama stated that he wants service to be a big part of his inauguration because it played such a huge role in his life.
Locally, at Jackson State, the Division of Student Life and the Center for Service and Community Engaged Learning will sponsor the “MLK Day of Service 2013” on Saturday, Jan. 19 in honor of King’s legacy of equality and empowerment.
“We welcome students to be a part of our special campus observance for the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday, Jan. 21, 2013. Join us in this fun day of community building and fostering change in our city,” said Eltease Moore, coordinator of Community Service.
She added, “Our confirmed community partners include: Community Nursing Home, Gateway Rescue Mission, Hope House of Jackson, Inc. and Operation Shoestring.”
After a naional weekend of community service projects, the ceremonial swearing-in will take place on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. The program line-up consists of Kelly Clarkson, James Taylor, and Beyonce, who was personally tapped by the first family to sing the national anthem.
It was reported by several news agencies that President Obama will be sworn in on Monday Jan. 21 with President Abraham Lincoln’s bible and Dr. Martin Luther King’s Jr.’s bible. A little known fact is that he will also be sworn in on Sunday in a private ceremony because the constitution requires a president’s term to begin on Jan. 20.
JSU is not only observing Dr. King’s birthday, but is showing its support by sending a bus load of students and staff to the inauguration.
Brian Wilks, Student Government Association President, is excited to be one of the students heading to Washington, D.C. to witness the inauguration.
“Both the election and re-election of President Barack Obama have been historical events. As SGA President, I felt it was important for our students to be afforded an opportunity to attend and witness his 2013 Inauguration in Washington, D.C.,” said Wilks. “The SGA pledged our support this past year to work to educate our fellow students on the importance of not only getting registered to vote but to actively participate in the election by voting.”
Jumbotrons will be displayed for the thousands of people standing throughout the national mall to witness these moments.
Wilks believes that the number of students who turned out and voted in the 2012 elections show JSU students want to be a part of the political process.
“I knew that JSU had to be there. We sponsored a 2012 Election Watch Party that had record attendees. Our students were very engaged in every step of the election process…voter education, voter registration and voter participation. We will continue this same energy with our upcoming local elections too,” said Wilks.
He added, “As young generation voters, we have had to prove to society that we are not apathetic and that our vote and voice does matter. We owe so much to our parents and grandparents, some who have not and others who may never witness another African-American President being elected during their lifetime.”
Wilks is not the only JSU student who is excited about the inauguration.
Chelsea Swanier, a senior marketing major from Gulfport, Miss., said: “I am so excited to see President Obama. I am expecting to be around a bunch of people that are enabling progression for our country.”
William Jenkins, a junior mass communication major from Mobile, Ala., said he is ready to watch history to be made.
I find it amazing knowing that the day we are swearing in President Barack Obama for the second time is the day we are commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy. If it wasn’t for King and his involvement in the Civil Rights movement President Obama might not have had the opportunity to become the President of the United States,” said Jenkins.
Jade King , a sophomore biology major, from Detroit, Mich., said: “I’ve never been to anything like this before so I really don’t know what to expect, maybe it will be life changing for me. It will definitely be something I can tell my children and grandchildren about when I’m older.”
Inaugural activities will include the U.S Marine Band. President Obama’s inauguration marks their 200th anniversary and 54th consecutive presidential inauguration; the first inauguration in 1801, which was for President Thomas Jefferson.
The band will also march in the inaugural parade along with other bands, military troops, native tribes, and other organizations from nearly every U.S. state. The Pearl River Community College Band from Mississippi and the Grambling State University Band from Louisiana are just two bands that are representing the south in the parade.
There is no fee associated with getting on the parade route but it is getting pass security that is going to cost. It is going to cost anxious parade attendees patience and determination to get through the United State Secret Service check points in frigid temperatures. The Swearing-in ceremony is an outdoor event held on the West Front Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Inauguration day is typically cold — normally 37 degrees at noon and occasionally wet.
President Obama and First Lady Michele Obama will only attend two official inaugural balls on Jan. 21 at the Washington Convention Center. A-List stars such as Smokey Robinson, Brad Paisley, Usher, Stevie Wonder, Katy Perry, the cast of “Glee”, and Marc Anthony will all be performing.
To stay connected and for a front row seat to the ceremonial swearing–in, download the official inaugural app at www.2013pic.org.
