Obama's inauguration celebrated in Columbia

The Blue Note held a ball to commemorate the event Tuesday.

By Katie Harris

Published Jan. 23, 2009

While President Barack Obama celebrated his inauguration Tuesday in Washington, many Columbians celebrated locally at The Blue Note inaugural ball.

A large crowd gathered together to celebrate Obama's inauguration with live footage of Obama visiting various balls in Washington playing on a large projection screen, along with food, music and dancing.

"It's a grand day," said Petch Peden, a former MU professor who attended the event.

At 81, Peden said she never thought she would see the day when an African American became president. People in younger generations said they had a more optimistic view.

"Growing up, African-Americans have always been integrated into society for me," said junior Greg Butterfield, who is white. "I thought it would happen eventually."

Throughout the presidential race, Obama touted himself as the "change" candidate. "People were hungry for change," MU sociology professor Wayne Brekhus said. "His exoticness and international flavor helped Obama by setting him apart."

Those in attendance agreed that for the next four years, Obama would face many challenges. "I wouldn't want his job right now," Brekhus said.

Brekhus also said that, in part because of the reforms he is looking to make, Obama has high expectations. "Obama faces the expectation for him to solve every problem," graduate student Brandie Morgan said. "People want results immediately."

Brekhus said he also has a larger barrier to overcome.

"Women and minorities are held to a higher standard," Brekhus said. "He has to do more to get credit." One major issue on all Americans' minds is the economy.

"It's been the worst economy since 1929 and there's a lot of work to be done," Brekhus said. With the economy being one of the biggest issues on the new president's agenda, many believe that Obama can turn the economy around.

"I have an optimistic view," Butterfield said. "If (President Franklin Roosevelt) could do it, why not?" Along with all the excitement there is also the fear of backlash against the new president in some peoples' minds.

"Extremely charismatic individuals and those that started movements like (President John Kennedy) and (Martin Luther King Jr.) have generally been the targets of assassinations, and I think that Obama has started a movement," Butterfield said.

Butterfield said Obama's inauguration was not only a historic event for the U.S., but also for the world. "Pretty much every country is sharing in the moment tonight," Butterfield said.