On the Eve of the Obama Inauguration

The historic Strand Theatre, a landmark that resides on a corner of the Square in my adopted hometown of Marietta, GA, celebrated its grand re-opening following a six year restoration campaign. The venue had not been used as a theater since the 1970's. I excitedly shared this fact with a friend over lunch as we discussed upcoming events in the area.

"I should let my parents know the theater has been re-opened", my friend responded, "I'm sure they'd like to see it; then again, maybe not."

"Why's that?" I wondered aloud.

"That theater," he continued "was segregated when my parents were growing up. My mom told me stories about what a big deal it was going into town and watching movies at The Strand. The balcony used to be the Colored section."

As we discussed the theater a while longer I recounted my having seen the redevelopment blueprints posted outside the building during the refurbishment. I didn't recall a balcony in the plans. As I surfed the theater's website later that day I was relieved to find that the balcony, along with its bittersweet memories, had remained.

I awoke this morning emotionally imbued by a day commemorating the birth of America's greatest Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. On the eve of the inauguration of this nation's first Black President, it's the image of my friend's parents that come to mind. I picture two young people seated in the Colored section of a darkened movie house, the magic of Hollywood unfolding before them on the silver screen. In their wildest Hollywood inspired imaginations could they ever have envisioned a day like January 20, 2009?

I'd like to think that they did. As down trodden as we were by the weight of Jim Crow, segregation, and Separate but 'Unequal', we were nothing if not a people filled with hope; hope for equality, hope for the next generation, and hope for our nation.

I recall an earlier conversation I had with this same friend, shortly after Barack Obama had been elected the 44^th President of the United States.

"I went to see my parents this week." he shared, "My father was grinning from ear to ear. 'Son, I never thought I'd see the day.'"

Given the reality of a segregated America perhaps not even Hollywood could have inspired that young boy in the balcony to envision a person of color in the White House.

As I sit here flipping channels, watching one TV station after another counting down to this historic inauguration, I imagine my friend's father doing the same and in my mind's eye I can see him proudly beaming from ear to ear, enjoying a reality far greater than any story Hollywood could have created.