"This is that one day where it's not really about trying to remain balanced," he said. "This isn't a Democratic or Republican conversation. This is an American celebration that the world has joined in."
Indeed, several BET staffers did not try to hide their pride in the day's significance, wearing Obama stickers and apparel as they gathered on the network's rooftop set. Still, Johnson remained stoic for most of the morning, quizzing political analyst Keith Boykin about the security measures and mechanics of the inauguration.
But as the ceremony progressed, Johnson's neutral tone slipped. "I am at one of those torn moments very similar to election night. The moment we knew he had won, it was difficult to remain a journalist, and it was time to be an African American man."
By the time the inauguration concluded with the national anthem, Johnson and Boykin were in tears. The anchor wiped his eyes furiously.
"I am overwhelmed at this moment, and I don't know how anybody in this nation that clearly understands the history of this country can not be," he said, his voice cracking. "The national anthem means something different than it meant just a few hours ago. It means that the United States of America has actually challenged one of its greatest issues: that for so many years and for so long, we were able to use something like race as a method to divide us. But it's been the very election of this president, Barack Obama, that has the potential of putting us together in a way we never have before."
With that, he took a deep breath and settled in to report the rest of the day's events.
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matea.gold@latimes.com
