The DePaulia interviewed Chris Coleman about his experience at the inauguration.

Coleman is a senior at DePaul majoring in Political Science with a minor in Spanish. He has been involved with DAB , SGA, Global Brigades, SLI, DePaul Dance Company, and DePaul Gospel Choir.

The DePaulia: Have you ever been to an inauguration before?

Chris Coleman: No, I haven’t, this was my first one and I was absolutely thrilled to be in attendance.

DP: What organization did you go with, if any, and what was your role within that organization?

CC: I didn’t attend the inauguration for any specific organization. I went with some of my friends who worked with the Obama for America campaign in the summer/fall of 2013 as an invited guest. Over the summer, I worked more closely with the Office of Public Engagement (OOPE) in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB) on the White House grounds as social media youth delegate/intern.  I worked closely under and met with Jon Carson, the director of OOPE, who coincidently is now the new executive director of President Obama’s new Organizing for Action national campaign to help advance civic engagement and political participation among the American public. I hope to be one of the spearhead founding leaders of an Organizing for Action chapter at DePaul, which was discussed at the OFA Legacy Conference that I attended in Washington D.C. the weekend of the inauguration.

DP: What other DePaul students were you with?

CC: I traveled with William Gross, who is a current junior at DePaul who worked as an intern at the Obama for America (OFA) Headquarters downtown, and Alysse Cepeda, who is also a current junior at DePaul who worked for the OFA local campaigning in DuPage County. I met up with my friend/colleague, Christina Lewis, who is a current senior at DePaul who worked as a junior media tracking manager for the OFA Headquarters and a paid media manager for the Democratic National Committee (DNC), while I was in D.C. I also met up with Cameron Erickson, a current junior at DePaul who worked for the OFA campaigning team in Iowa as field organizer.

DP: What events did you attend during the inauguration weekend?

CC: I attended the Obama for America Legacy Conference, the inauguration on Capitol Hill, the inaugural parade, and the inaugural ball in the Washington D.C. Convention Center while I was in D.C. for the weekend.

DP: Where did you watch the 2008 inauguration?

CC: I watched the 2008 inauguration in my living room at home with my family via DVR during my senior year of high school.

DP: How would you compare your feelings, personally, this past weekend compared to 2008?

CC: My feelings from this past weekend were just as excited and overjoyed as I was in 2008 when I saw the President speak in Grant Park. It was such a surreal feeling being in D.C. this past weekend for the inauguration and being surrounded by such passionate and loyal Obama supporters who shared my own excitement to be in the audience on Capitol Hill. Sitting so close to the Capitol building itself was definitely the highlight of my trip. I took tons of pictures and recorded the President’s phenomenal inaugural speech on my camera. I felt as if I was a part of history being made and I felt so fortunate and blessed to be there in person to celebrate with fellow citizens from all across the country the second term inauguration of our distinguished Commander in Chief.

DP: How would you describe the overall feel in Washington D.C. that weekend?

CC: The resounding feeling in D.C. last weekend was very joyous and filled with optimism and excitement. There was such a noticeable ambiance of unity and social solidarity in celebration of such a great milestone being reached in our country.

DP: What was your favorite memory from this weekend?

CC: My favorite memory from this weekend was attending the inauguration in the section nearest to the Capitol building to see President Obama give his captivating inaugural speech as well as seeing my music icon Beyonc’ÛΩ perform the national anthem! I will never forget the point during the President’s speech when he proclaimed, “Today we continue a never-ending journey to bridge the meaning of those words with the realities of our time. For history tells us that while these truths may be self-evident, they have never been self-executing; that while freedom is a gift from God, it must be secured by His people here on Earth.” I was so thankful for the opportunity and privilege to be so close.

DP: Did everyone stay together? Where were you able to find a place to stay? What was the commute like?

CC: No, everyone had their own separate lodging accommodations. I stayed with at a friend whose apartment is located just outside of the downtown area in suburban Washington D.C. The commute from her apartment to the downtown vicinity took less than 15 minutes on the D.C. Metro red line train, so I was very fortunate to be so close.

DP: How did the atmosphere change throughout the weekend? (Swearing-in ceremony vs. parade vs. later that night just on the streets vs. the ball?)

CC: Leading up until the inauguration, the weekend (Saturday & Sunday) itself wasn’t too congested in traffic. It wasn’t until Monday when the jubilant masses took over the streets of D.C. for the inauguration, the parade, and the inaugural ball later that evening. The restaurants in the D.C. metropolitan area were certainly making bank on MLK day post-inauguration. There was a very euphoric and positive aura in the atmosphere and I didn’t witness any hostility whatsoever. The pandemonium and large crowds in D.C. simmered down the day after the inauguration.

DP: Which ball did you attend, if any, and what was your experience like there?

CC: I attended the main inaugural ball at the Washington Convention Center that was televised nationally in the company of musical artists including Alicia Keys, Fun., Jennifer Hudson, Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Brad Paisley, Jamie Foxx, Amber Riley & Darren Criss (Cast Members from Glee), and Soundgarden.  Was so star struck! It was an absolutely incredible event to cap such an amazing day!

DP: Finally, what do you feel that this inauguration meant for the county?

CC: Personally, I feel that this inauguration signifies a progressive movement for our country to come together and take back the political participation and civic engagement that has been speculated as being lost with the Millennial generation. On the contrary, I believe that our (Millennial) generation is not only limited within the social confinement of being the leaders of tomorrow, but are, in fact, the leaders of today. I strongly feel that the President’s new national agenda, Organizing for Action, will motivate and encourage many Americans to help support our executive and legislative representatives through agency and active involvement in their communities to make a true difference in our country both socially and politically speaking. President Obama said it best himself when he declared during his inaugural speech, “We, the people, still believe that our obligations as Americans are not just to ourselves, but to all posterity.” It is our civic duty as Americans to ensure that the next generation receives the best education, tools, and resources to continue to build the country by lowering the poverty level, teaching primary and secondary/higher education, and making opportunities accessible enough for the marginalized citizens to overcome their overbearingly impoverished conditions.