Black Students Had Mixed Views about Tuning in to Hear Bush’s Second Inauguration Speech

Brandon Barber and three of his close friends bundled up and walked down the snow painted sidewalks of Washington en route to the National Mall to hear President Bush’s inauguration speech.

Barber, a junior print journalism major at Howard University said he wanted to hear the president’s message to the American people.

"I wanted to hear how the president was going to unite us with his words during a tragic time of war and global tragedy, "Barber said.

Some students were not interested in President Bush’s message.

"There was no need for me to watch it because I don’t agree with the decisions he’s made the last four years," said LaJoy Evans, a sophomore nursing major at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University. Evans spent her day as she normally would; in classes.

Brandon Brice, a senior international business major at Howard University said those who are disgruntled by the president’s views should become more politically active by voicing their opinions.

"If people don’t like him they should hold him accountable for what they want him to do," Brice said.

Brice, who was unable to attend, but watched from his dorm room said, "it is important to see any American agree to honor the views an ideals of every American."

Some students decided not to attend the inauguration not because of their feelings towards President Bush, but because of Wednesday’s snowfall.

"I was planning on going before the snow," said Tracey Jarmon, a senior linguistics major at Georgetown University. "I was planning on going because whether or not I like the person, this is one of those once in a lifetime events."

While some students like Jarmon, were interested in the inauguration because of its historical event, others see it as just that; just an event.

"I don’t see it as being historically important," said Ashley Means, a senior American studies major at University of Maryland College Park. "Growing up, watching the inauguration was not as important as seeing the progress of the election."

And growing up is what Tyrone Hampton, a senior Agricultural Biology major at CAL Polytechnic, is trying to do.

"Its time for me to grow up and learn more about politics," said Hampton. "And because I voted for him, it is my duty to watch it."