Hats at the Obama Inauguration.

I took most of the day off yesterday to watch history in the making.

It was a very grand and very moving affair. What impressed me most was the large crowds in the Mall at Washington DC – there seemed to me to be way over the million estimate I read in one report this morning. Of course they were not able to see the event at the Capitol first hand. They just wanted to be there to soak up the event.

The crowds included all races and ages. Young children were there with their great-grandparents. Everybody was well behaved and it all went well. There were reports of minor illnesses in the crowd but there were no major problems reported thank heaven. It was a moving historical event – the first African-American president of the USA. Of course we look back to times when people were not respectful to African Americans. It was a different time and thank heaven again that it is over. This is thanks to many people who stood up for their rights and dignity. Just to think that the White House and Capitol were built in part by slave labour. For several years African Americans, or most in any event, were relegated to domestic labour. Just over 40 years ago there were issues of segregation in the American South. Wow how far we have come!

I was quite taken with the occasion and got emotional and tearful – although as you can see from my picture I am not African American myself. I think there is bound to be a new age of understanding. Let us hope so. In these times of economic difficulty more than ever we need to pull together. We must not be divided by race or religion.

Now for the hats!

I of course was watching closely for the hats that were worn at the event. It was a cold day and you could see the breath of everybody.

First of all, I was a bit disappointed that Obama did not seem to wear his Stetson hat referred to in my post yesterday. (It’s an interesting story – go back and view the videos if you want a smile).  Perhaps the hat did not fit him? Perhaps he did wear it in private?

I understand why the hat was not worn and I am not going to belabour it. Hats simply are not in style for state events in the USA. This is compared with the UK when the Queen holds State events many hats are worn. To wear a hat might be considered to detract from the sombre message in the Inaugural address. Perhaps hats can be a part of the ceremony in  four years? Very few in the official party wore hats. I noted only one, a wonderful black hat.

It was a cold day and there were many naked heads. Why not wear a hat?  Were they afraid of “hat head”? There were some attendees at the Capitol event who wore hats. Jimmy Carter, the former president, was wearing a very sporty flat cap. One of my favorites was Ted Kennedy who looked very dapper in his fedora. He seemed so happy to be there. I was distressed to hear that he later had a seizure but reports this morning were that he is better. Get well soon Ted!

My favorite hat at the ceremony by a long shot was the large grey hat with the enormous bow worn by Aretha Franklin. You can see a picture of the hat in this MTV article. Ms Franklin sang “My country tis of thee…”. It was moving. Apparently she also sang at the Martin Luther King funeral.

My second favorite was the man in the red fedora hat. This man was sitting at the place were the dignitaries entered and enthusiastically greeting everyone. I did not catch the identification if there was one. Who was that man I’d like to shake his hand. What a statement of celebration!

Another honorable mention goes to the lady in the traditional turban style scarf based on those worn in Western Africa. I tried one on at a clothing show last fall. They are very colorful and I may wear one next summer. I see no reason why us non African American folks cannot sport such a style. I do not consider it to be disrespectful if done appropriately. (It might be a problem as a Halloween outfit for example, just be sensible and respectful). (In a future post I will discuss this wonderful head scarf). I have also been known to wear other types of traditional dress from time to time. I tried a Sari. This is much more complex to tie on than the African scarf – that’s another story.

I did spot some very elegant hats in the crowd and to those people I say well done! We hatty people should continue to set an example. I see more and more people wearing hats.

Good luck Barack! I would of course like both you and Michelle to wear hats. You will be looked at as style setters. Please wear hats sometimes?

Tagged as: Aretha Franklin, inauguration, Obama