The Obama Era Begins

The swearing in of Barack Obama as 44th president of the United States prompted questions of race, policy and the nation's aspirations. Some 1.5 million people came to the National Mall in Washington to witness the history being made, according to the District of Columbia government.

Trotter Group members offered their views on the events.

Faye Anderson, Anderson@Large:
A 'Post-racial' America?
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	President Barack Obama Read the blog
	Inauguration of a Dream Read the blog

Betty Winston Bayé, Louisville Courier-Journal:
Echoes of elders from my now-presidential cabinet
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Donna Britt, Washington Post:
Dream Dress: Just Five Bucks
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Cary Clack, San Antonio Express-News:
Rhyme's riff shows our progress
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George E. Curry, Philadelphia Inquirer:
Just why did it take so long to sink in -- that America had a black president?
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National Newspaper Publishers Association: 15 Reasons to be Happy Bush is Gone Read the column

Mary C. Curtis, WFAE Radio, Charlotte, N.C.:
Moving beyond history
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"Tell Me More," National Public Radio: Enough With The Verbal Attacks On Obama Listen

		Nieman Watchdog: Starting to Make His Own History Read the blog
		Washington Is in a Partying Mood Read the blog

Joe Davidson, Washington Post:
New Administration Seems Friendlier to Whistleblowers
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Wayne Dawkins, Politicsincolor.com:
System update: Black 2.0 is here
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Optimism, despite a distressed vocation Read the column

Rhonda Graham, Wilmington News Journal:
Quiet joy from old soldiers of life
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Derrick Z. Jackson, Boston Globe:
Obama's political speech of a lifetime
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	Outside, things are looking brighter Read the column
	Audio slideshow: What Obama means to me Listen and watch

Annette John-Hall, Philadelphia Inquirer:
Joining together in euphoria
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	A place of honor for common folk Read the column
	The unseen hero: Frederick Douglass Read the column

Eugene Kane, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
'I swear I was there' claims could top Wilt's 100-point game
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	A King Day like no other Read the column
	For Obama, the real work starts now Read the column

Gregory Kane, BlackAmericaWeb.com:
Now What? Black People Won't Have Bush to Kick Around Anymore
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Jerry Large, Seattle Times:
History, hope and a high note
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Dwight Lewis, Nashville Tennessean:
Mr. Obama, be true to yourself
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Errol Louis, New York Daily News:
As President Obama works to fix the nation, he must add cities to the list
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President Barack Obama and his fans may have changed politics forever Read the column

Mary Mitchell, Chicago Sun-Times:
Spiritual start sets right tone
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	Happiness descends on Washington Read the column
	Old glory never looked so glorious Read the column
	An early investor spreads the wealth Read the column
	'This is our hope' Read the column

Les Payne:
Notes on the Inauguration of President Barack H. Obama from the National Mall
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Richard Prince, Journal-isms:
All Eyes on Washington
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Rochelle Riley, Detroit Free Press:
Faith, persistence takes ex-Michigander to 14th row
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	Spirit of message is something that can live in us all Read the column
	A touch of Motown in Obama Read the column

Barry Saunders, Raleigh (N.C.) News & Observer:
On the highway to history
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Stan Simpson, Hartford (Conn.) Courant:
Security Screenings, Confusion Lead To Missed Inauguration
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Elmer Smith, Philadelphia Daily News:
For those who paved the way, a moment at the mountaintop
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Wendi C. Thomas, Memphis Commercial Appeal:
Here, finally, was our day to participate in history
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	Pardon me, (sniff) if I shed a few tears of joy Read the column
	Memphian creates, capitalizes on inaugural opportunity Read the column
	Obama is inspiration for agents of change Read the column
	President can't be off limits to critique Read the column

Lynne K. Varner, Seattle Times:
Hope of Obama's inauguration will help with tomorrow's problems
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Adrienne T. Washington, Washington Times:
Barack next step in long journey
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Obama neither savior nor Satan Read the column

Robin Washington, Duluth (Minn.) News Tribune:
Amid inauguration hoopla, man buries his brother
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Tribal members inspired by colorful day in D.C. Read the column

Tonyaa Weathersbee, BlackAmericaWeb.com:
President Obama Will Need to Harness the Power of the People
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DeWayne Wickham, USA Today:
Ushering in change, from Day One
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Gannett News Service: With Obama in the White House, century-old pronouncement finally rings true Read the column