Canadians seem to be infatuated with new President Barack Obama and Squamish resident Jeff Dawson is no exception. A self-proclaimed history and political junkie, Dawson knew history would unfold at the presidential inauguration Tuesday (Jan. 20) so he booked a flight to Washington D.C.
"I am a student of history and the inauguration struck me as a wonderful opportunity and privilege to see history unfold. The timing worked out and I had a chance to get a front row seat," Dawson said on the scene from Washington.
Despite frigid weather, Dawson joined millions of other spectators on Washington's National Mall for the swearing-in ceremony. Obama became the 44th president of the United States and in a speech that left many emotional, he urged Americans to embrace a "new era of responsibility."
"It was a once-in-a-lifetime privilege. It was really much less of a political event and more a celebration of a country," Dawson said. "I can't describe it properly except to say it was one part religious, one part cultural and one part sporting event."
Dawson admits he found himself looking into the eyes of the crowd, especially the African-Americans. Many civil rights leaders and prominent African-American activists who came to Washington, D.C., almost 46 years ago for Martin Luther King Jr.'s March on Washington returned for the inauguration.
"I found myself looking into the eyes of the African-Americans in the crowd. It's like many didn't believe it was going to happen until it did. I believe it was a surreal moment for them. This new president represents an impossible dream," Dawson said.
Dawson admits that although Obama remained stoic during his address to the nation, the emotion in the crowd overflowed.
"It's hard not to get caught up in the emotion of the words. You have two million friends around you from different parts of the country and world," Dawson said. "It was a very emotional event for everyone and I was no exception."
Obama made the historic address shortly after he held his right hand in the air and placed his left hand on Abraham Lincoln's inaugural Bible to take the oath of office and become the first black president of the United States.
Dawson wasn't the only Canadian in the crowd. In fact the Canadian embassy in Washington D.C. held a "tailgate party" on the embassy's raised courtyard, which offers one of the best views of the Capitol. On Tuesday Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean said Barack Obama's inauguration has "symbolic meaning on a global scale."
"I saw one very patriotic Canadian earlier in the day waving a Canadian flag," Dawson said. " I think this signifies a new world order and Canada will be part of that world."
As an observer of the biggest inauguration in history, Dawson said the world has changed. As a Canadian, he said expectations for the new president will be high.
"There will be new things expected of all of us and this is a wonderful opportunity for every country in the world," Dawson said. "Obama reminded us that he is not a saviour but spoke in terms of we."
Along with neighbours to the south, Canadians have been swept away by "Obama- mania." Dawson said Canadians sleep beside a media giant and every time you turn on the television, two out of three channels are American.
"You can't help but be exposed to what is happening in the states. It was a historical moment that I will remember for the rest of my life," Dawson said. "One man can't fix the whole planet and Obama spoke a lot about individual ad personal responsibility."
