A chance meeting at the Whistle Stop Tour
The cold breeze cut through Baltimore on a day of hope and excitement. The new President elect, Barack Obama was
making a stop at Baltimore, Maryland en route to DC for his inauguration. Many saw this as a thank you for the
support Baltimore gave him during his successful campaign. As the pundits would say "this was Obama country" and
he was king. Many people swore they would braze the cold weather and try and catch a glimpse of this historical
figure, who had placed his name in the history books, for better or worse. Among those planning to hear Obama's
speech was a young African American man named Raheem. He stood 6'2 with dreadlocks, neatly tucked under a
Baltimore Ravens, wool cap. His dark complexion gave a necessary background for his enormously bright smile. His
reason for attending was based on his knowledge of history and sense of right. He had read about the solders who had
given their lives without ever fighting a war, all for the belief that all men were created equal. He was a young man
who missed the live experience of Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X or Rosa Parks. But today was his opportunity to
be part of history and be able to tell kids in 20 years time.."I was at the Inner Harbour, when Obama came to
Baltimore".
Raheem sat by the window of the Light rail that was going from Owings Mills to John Hopkins station. The light rail
itself was not the cleanest, there were copies of free newspapers all over the ground. Almost every copy had a picture
of Obama, smiling and talking. One such copy was lodged between one of the seats, as if begging Raheem to take a
peek. He picked up the copy and glanced at some of the articles as the light rail started it's journey. Among the purple
and black colored sea of people riding the light rail, was a lovely young woman wrapped in a long black coat, gloves,
ear muffs and a hat. If she had any more clothing on, her femininity would have been questioned. But her lovely face
and piercing eyes came out and looked in horror at the amount of filth on the light rail. "Wow, this is filthy" she
exclaimed as she sat right in front of Raheem. "Yeah, I know right" responded Raheem. The two briefly looked at
each other and then turned back to their distractions. For him it was the free newspaper and for her it was her cell
phone. A chance meeting, but neither knew.
Raheem got off the the Light rail and joined everyone as they walked quickly to get to or at least close to where Obama
would be speaking. Security was in full force on the streets of Baltimore, police, army, plain clothes and even police
dogs patrolled. Several blocks and streets had been closed off to ensure maximum security. Raheem had to escape
crowds and peddlers, who where selling anything that bore the image of the next President. Raheem's only interest was
not to miss the speech, he needed this for his own gratification. It didn't take long for him to find the right spot, lodged
between people with their different assortment of cameras. Raheem just needed to be there, nothing else mattered than
him being there as soon as Obama was introduced.
As Obama started his speech, giving praise to all in Maryland except for the embattled Mayor of Baltimore, he
recounted Baltimore's role during the colonial days and how they had stood up against the British, the mighty British.
Raheem nodded and clapped as the words flowed from the lips of the President elect. He stared into the big screen
with the image of this great man, freezing in the cold Baltimore air, but not feeling it. He could have died now at his
young age and it would have been okay with him. He had his generations' moment and he had been a part of it. The
speech itself was short and to the point, Raheem stood there, teary eyed and filling fulfilled. Even after the speech was
over, he stood there, as Ray Charles' voice blasted through the speakers, as if from the grave. Some people also stayed
to take pictures to signify they had been there. Raheem knew he had been there. He wiped his eyes and was now ready
to start his long journey back to reality. Standing a couple of feet away from him, was the lady from the Light rail and
in a moment of stillness, time stopped as the two looked at each other, both moved by what they had witnessed. Her
5'8 physique was at that moment the same height as Raheem's 6'2 frame. They where on the same page and nobody
else could take that moment away from either of them. Raheem smiled through his tears and she smiled back. He
walked slowly over to the young woman and simply said..."Hi, my name is Raheem, I think there is something
in your eye".....she smiled as he handed her a hanky and she responded...."I think you need it more than I do".
The amount of heat generated from both their smiles was enough to warm this cold historical day in Baltimore,
Maryland. A chance meeting on a lovely day.
Written by Avo Bode
