She was stunning and regal, in the company of European Royalty. It is a very positive vista for all people of color to drive into their ( hardwire)brain. Every day that Barack Obama is President we should be filling ourselves with the images of the great possibilities.
Not to be taken for granted though we all have because of our busy lives. Who knows when this will happen again. Take pride and stand by him. We do not have the luxury of
complaining. You will remember, when things are (back to ab-normal) in 2016. Am trying to finish law school by then and getting the heck out of here. Like Randall Robinson of Trans-Africa , who left and went to live in St. Vincent.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13534368 By CARRIE BUDOFF BROWN | 5/24/11 6:39 PM EDT
LONDON — Even for an American president, the extravagant scene at Buckingham Palace could seem surreal.
For two nights, President Barack Obama is calling this 775-room palace home, sleeping in the same suite where Prince William and wife Catherine spent their wedding night, dressing in white tie and tails for only the second state dinner for a U.S. president and receiving a toast from Queen Elizabeth in front of royalty and movie stars.
By definition, presidents run in the most rarefied circles. But even for White House veterans, Buckingham Palace is a whole different realm.
From the moment they arrived on palace grounds Tuesday morning, the president and first lady Michelle Obama stepped into a ceremonial whirlwind. It started with a 41-gun salute and an inspection of the Scots Guards at a welcome ceremony and culminated late at night with a cinematic dinner scene: a royal throne, gold-trimmed china, sparkling tiaras, white gloves and 5-foot-tall flower arrangements that scented the cavernous ballroom.
“As we confront the challenges of the 21st century together,” Obama said in his return toast, “we can have confidence in the partnership that our two countries share based on the rock-solid foundation built during Queen Elizabeth’s lifetime and her extraordinary service to her nation and the world.”
There was one faux pas. As Obama began wrapping up his toast, he paused and said, “To her majesty, the queen” — a phrase that prompted the band to play “God Save the Queen,” even though he wasn’t finished. But Obama kept talking over the British national anthem.
The elaborate scene offered a stark contrast to the dominant story back home, the devastation in Missouri from a violent string of tornadoes. Obama started his day by announcing plans to visit the stricken areas Sunday, only hours after he returns from his six-day European tour, and he reiterated his commitment to provide federal support.
The president appeared to soak in the splendor of London calmly, his exuberance from Ireland a day earlier toned down ever so slightly for the more staid occasion.
At the welcome ceremony, he chatted with the colonel guiding him through a formal inspection of the Scots Guards. On a tour of the palace gallery, he chuckled along with the queen at a letter from her mother about a 1939 White House visit during which she was served hot dogs.
At the state dinner, top White House officials rubbed shoulders with royalty. Senior adviser David Plouffe sat next to the Countess of Wess*x and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Actor Kevin Spacey was one place setting away.
Posted By: Marta Fernandez
Wednesday, May 25th 2011 at 12:01AM
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