Obama praises youth contribution to historic journey to White House
Brittany Hutson/Contributing Writer
Issue date: 1/25/09 Section: Neighborhood
His four minute speech concluded with his promise that America will get stronger and more unified. "You are going to make it happen," he said to the crowd.
Before going off to his next ball for the evening, Obama took the hand of his first lady and slow danced to an instrumental rendition of Etta James' "At Last."
"He stamped his statement saying 'you guys made it happen,'" said 34-year-old Larry Brooks, who admitted that Obama's inauguration was emotional for him and his friends, causing them all to become teary-eyed. "Visualizing what he was saying basically is that us, the youth, we're the ones that made the difference but also that he's there with us as time goes on."
The 'Be the Change: Youth Ball' kicked off when guests flooded into the ballroom of the Washington Hilton on Connecticut Avenue at approximately 9 o'clock. The ballroom was decorated in red, white, and blue streamers, and stars. The ball was reminiscent of a high school prom with gentlemen decked out in tuxedos and ladies in long, flowing, prom-like dresses.
Three separate stages were set up for a line-up of performances from Kanye West, Kid Rock, and Fall Out Boy. The diverse celebrity guest list included R&B singer Eric Benet, actor/comedian Bill Bellamy, Fonzworth Bentley, MTV host Sway, and Usher with his wife Tameka. According to MTV news, Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore, and Tobey Maguire were also in the house.
Kanye West was declared as the performer that brought the house down. His show included a medley of hit songs, "Touch the Sky," "Stronger", "American Boy," "Good Life," and his latest hit on the airwaves, "Heartless." The African drums of West's hit "Love Lockdown" prompted the crowd to pump their arms in the air and jump along in unison with the songs addictive beat.
The historic day had an emotional toll on the celebrity guests of the evening as well, with West professing during his performance that "It feels so good to be standing here right now. My momma would be so proud to see her baby boy perform the number one song in the country for our new African-American president," he said.
Ellen Hunter, 27, from Atlanta, GA was one attendee at the ball. "It's been great," she said. "People are energized, still coming off the energy of [Inauguration]."
Still reeling from the president's appearance, Hunter shared, "I think the most important thing Barack does for Black people is [he's] a positive model, for young Black men honestly," she said.
Despite the high of Tuesday's historic Inauguration, people like 32 year-old Kindra Mhoon, though proud of the moment, know there is much work to be done.
"It's not a post-racial America, not at all. I've heard that a lot but the world hasn't changed that much in a day," said the Houston, TX native. "We have a Black president, it's going to take a long time; I don't believe all of the racist issues in America will be resolved in the next four or eight years."
Before going off to his next ball for the evening, Obama took the hand of his first lady and slow danced to an instrumental rendition of Etta James' "At Last."
"He stamped his statement saying 'you guys made it happen,'" said 34-year-old Larry Brooks, who admitted that Obama's inauguration was emotional for him and his friends, causing them all to become teary-eyed. "Visualizing what he was saying basically is that us, the youth, we're the ones that made the difference but also that he's there with us as time goes on."
The 'Be the Change: Youth Ball' kicked off when guests flooded into the ballroom of the Washington Hilton on Connecticut Avenue at approximately 9 o'clock. The ballroom was decorated in red, white, and blue streamers, and stars. The ball was reminiscent of a high school prom with gentlemen decked out in tuxedos and ladies in long, flowing, prom-like dresses.
Three separate stages were set up for a line-up of performances from Kanye West, Kid Rock, and Fall Out Boy. The diverse celebrity guest list included R&B singer Eric Benet, actor/comedian Bill Bellamy, Fonzworth Bentley, MTV host Sway, and Usher with his wife Tameka. According to MTV news, Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore, and Tobey Maguire were also in the house.
Kanye West was declared as the performer that brought the house down. His show included a medley of hit songs, "Touch the Sky," "Stronger", "American Boy," "Good Life," and his latest hit on the airwaves, "Heartless." The African drums of West's hit "Love Lockdown" prompted the crowd to pump their arms in the air and jump along in unison with the songs addictive beat.
The historic day had an emotional toll on the celebrity guests of the evening as well, with West professing during his performance that "It feels so good to be standing here right now. My momma would be so proud to see her baby boy perform the number one song in the country for our new African-American president," he said.
Ellen Hunter, 27, from Atlanta, GA was one attendee at the ball. "It's been great," she said. "People are energized, still coming off the energy of [Inauguration]."
Still reeling from the president's appearance, Hunter shared, "I think the most important thing Barack does for Black people is [he's] a positive model, for young Black men honestly," she said.
Despite the high of Tuesday's historic Inauguration, people like 32 year-old Kindra Mhoon, though proud of the moment, know there is much work to be done.
"It's not a post-racial America, not at all. I've heard that a lot but the world hasn't changed that much in a day," said the Houston, TX native. "We have a Black president, it's going to take a long time; I don't believe all of the racist issues in America will be resolved in the next four or eight years."
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