If yesterday’s inauguration ceremony did not feel like a breath of fresh air, then let this list blow some oxygen into your lungs!
1. Bye Cheeto!
Whatever the future holds, at this present moment, we are glad the wig is gone and that there is a new administration in town–with a Black woman as the deputy.
2. Michelle Obama’s Belt
Let us get into our favorite’s golden belt! The former First Lady wore a maroon winter coat with a turtleneck and flared pants combo by Sergio Hudson, finishing the entire ensemble with a custom made golden belt. A look that had our edges snatched!
3. Amanda Gorman’s poem
“When day comes, we ask ourselves where can we find light in this never-ending shade?” ~ Amanda Gorman.
Amanda Gorman’s #blackgirlmagic illuminated our hearts, reminding us of the hope we had all lost during the previous administration. The 22-year old National Youth Poet Laureate, the youngest poet to ever perform at a presidential inauguration, captivated our ears with her powerful and assuring words. After her performance, we understand why Dr. Jill Biden recommended her fervently.
4. JLO’s “Let’s get loud/This is our land remix”
Chiiiillleee! Let us get into how JLO snuck in some Español prior to screaming “let’s get loud” in the middle of, “One nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all.”
5. Melania Trump’s press snub
If “I am over it” was a person, former first lady Melania Trump’s final walk into the car–snubbing the press–would be them. Wearing what many described as a printed rug, it was clear that the former first lady was ready to be done with everything. Sis, should we expect a book?
6. Bison Drill Team performance and the Showtime Marching Band
You know the Bison family had to make sure their own made it safely into her new office. Vice President Kamala Harris’s alma mater did what needed to be done during the inauguration parade with their special drum cadence created just for the occasion. The Showtime Band was joined by the drumline team, the Flashy Flag Squad, and the Ooh La La Dancers.
7. Michelle Obama’s hair
Michelle Lavaughn Obama was the Slay seen around the world! Her look went viral when Black Twitter introduced the colloquial meaning of “Laid” to, well, everybody else. Kudos to her hair stylist Yene Damtew who also went viral.
8. The AKAs and everybody who went to Howard University on social media
Black Twitter always brings life and critical analysis to the party, but during the Inauguration HBCU students and alumni took over for the tweets and the IGs. From throwback pics of their marching band days and probates, to every designer selling Howard U gear, Ms. Harris’s fellow Bison repped the University HARD. (Just when you thought Bison couldn’t stop talking about their–ahem, my–school, consider Ms. Harris’s achievement a lifetime brag.)
9. Bernie Sanders stopping by the Inauguration
While most people swooned over the jewel-toned color coordination of Michelle Obama, Jill Biden and Kamala Harris, and pondered the Hunger Games-esque mockingjay pin/pigeon holding an olive branch on Lady Gaga, others wondered about Bernie’s underwhelming outfit choice. For someone whose work is centered around Democratic Socialism, affordable healthcare and livable wages for all, it should be no surprise fashion wasn’t a priority for the former Presidential nominee. However, that did not stop people from turning a seated Sanders and his mittens into a plethora of memes–posting him in more places around the world than Carmen Sandiego. Now those memes have turned into a full blown website. See exhibit A.
10. Nikolas Ajagu’s coveted sneakers
Nikolas Ajagu, the partner of Vice President’s niece Meena, was spotted with the limited edition Dior x Jordan 1 High sneakers. Let’s just say the sneaker community hella rejoiced. Just as one twitter user expressed that joy in a gif, queue the drill music.
The entire sneaker community when they saw a pair of Dior 1s in the inauguration #InaugurationDay pic.twitter.com/OZFeaTfYLY
— Le Quack (@akaSosa13) January 20, 2021