Inauguration Day at The Brady Faith Center

Alexandra Zuckerman

About two-dozen people gathered at the Brady Faith Center to celebrate the inauguration of President Barack Obama. The faith center, a place for socializing and community fellowship, is located on the southwest side of Syracuse.

Community members in attendance expressed gratitude for having a place to share the historic moment with others. There were cheers as video of Washington, D.C. flashed across a television screen.

As Aretha Franklin began to sing, “My Country `Tis of Thee” some people in the audience mouthed the lyrics or swayed with the music. Others had tears in their eyes while Franklin serenaded the crowd in the nation's capital and the millions watching all over the world. As the inauguration event continued the community members responded to the images on TV as if they were there in Washington. The people at the Brady Faith Center acted as participants, rather than onlookers.

The energized group moved around the room as the inauguration progessed, sitting and standing to cheer with the crowd at the Smithsonian Mall. They embracing each another and applauded as President Obama took his oath of office. The members in attendance, of all different races, celebrated as one community. Then they grew silent and hushed each other as President Obama gave his inaugural address.

Throughout the speech the audience shouted encouraging words as Obama outlined the tenants of his presidency. After the speech, a women watching at the center stood up and praised God for what she had just wittnessed.