Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf visits Washington DC

The President of Liberia (African country established by African-American slaves) took a moment from her busy 14-hour a day Liberian schedule -- where there have been gradual but conflictingly steady growth since the War of 1991 -- to address a large crowd of mostly native Africans living in the nations capitol. The gleaming faces and traditional African attire seemed finally a comfortable setting in a America that unfortunately frowns on outside cultural traditions. Pervasive peace spread throughout the room. By the time the President made her entrance, only LayZ-Boy reclining chairs should have been the seats of choice for all in attendance at Atrium Hall in the Ronald Reagon International Building.

President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was in Washington DC this week to promote her just released book, a Memoir of her interesting life. The Liberian President convened with Liberians and enthusiatic Americans in her city to city tour of the United States. African and more specifically West African Pride was edged on native Africans from Nigeria, Senegal etc...all greeted each other throughout the evening, in anticipation of one of their regions own, the President of Liberia. The Native African Women were especially pleased, and most seemed to be doing well as respected business, and community leaders here in United States.

The format of the Presidents' address was a one-on-one interview with an organizer of the event. I anticipated an interview myself with the President, set-up and scheduled 90 minutes prior to the program by one of the groups of organizers, however and most unfortunate that did not occur. I had also referred a White House and US Capital reporter, that was also left in the cold insofar as a personal interivew and photo op with the President. Though personal gratification was not granted in the form of a personal interview and photo op, I recorded the program on Syndication One News-Talk network's digital recorder on the audio system's mult-box -- though low in volume. Audio problems such as lavaliers malfunctioning and feedback happened throughout the night.

The program began with a few speeches from Liberian activists and a few awards were given out. The anticipation of the Liberian President entrance mounted following thirty minutes of preliminaries. Finally the moment had come and the eventual interviewer announced "without further adew the President of Liberia Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf."

The escorted President made her way to the stage to a rousing standing ovation. She was riddled with exhausion, seemingly not from the event, but from the challenges faced as President. One of the questions in fact, was what does she plan to do whenever she retires, and she answered "sit under a coconut tree on a hammock drinking coconut juice." It was evident that the writing of her Memoirs somehow may mean that the end of her public life is nearing.

Witnessing both the entrance of President Obama at the 2008 Democratic Convention in Denver and at the 2009 Inauguation, there is a certain air of seeing a President enter a room. The majestic walk is a common trait that all Kings, Queens, or Presidents have whether they are surrounded by secret service personnel (as President Johnson-Sirleaf was) or not. Quite simply, this is just who they are, no matter how normal such leaders wish to be. Only England's Princess Diana and likely President-to-be Senator Robert Kennedy pulled off the common person appearance. The slight tritch of a hand -- in the elegant bright glove -- waved at cheering crowds from Queen Elizabeth Windsor of England is the feeling from most royality. No different a feeling seeing Liberia's President walk lightly with a smile and a head nod of appreciation. I rushed to the front of the stage to capture the President. The President paused next to both the American flag and bright plants as if knowing the place to pause for front page pictures. And though the Washington Post could not find room for an African President in the A-sections' 16-pages, all in attendance knew we were treated to a once-in-a-lifetime special. The Washington Post will only cover an African President upon their death or a personal hand shake from our President.

As mentioned earlier, the interviewer was in awe as she could not get out the first question after a thunderous ovation. To add pressure to the interviewer and organizer, the lavilier microphones pinned to lapels were not working properly. Technically, I knew having the two speakers near left and right of the stage, instead outside left and right of the audience, would be a feedback party. Once the exchange of hand microphones for the inoperable lavilier mics, the feedback party began. The audio man had to turn the volume of the speakers low, which also turned down the mult-box where cameramen and audio recorders plugged-in for sound. My fellow sound recorders were visibly upset having to turn their record volume up to the max, which in most analog recorders would have a hissing noise. My digital recorders handled to low sound input just fine.
I felt for the interviewer, whom was in awe and nervous to interview royalty, but she also had to have the added audio problem to deal with. In addition, once both mics were in both the interviewer and Presidents' hands, then one mic was not hooked up. The interviewer, dressed in an American green dress, stumbled through the first few questions, handing the one operating mic back and forth. I, of course -- and again -- confronted the sound man stating that the "second mic is not hooked up or did not have batteries in the wireless mic", as the President turned the mic switch on and off. He noticed also and plugged the wire from the very small multi-channel mixing board to the silent mic's transmitter. The sound man sent someone to the stage to alert the interviewer that the mic, now resting on the table with the two glasses of water, was now working.

From that point on, the interview ran smoothly with mostly personal questions asked, revealed by the President in her just released memoir book. I was anticipating questions regarding the difficulties of President Johnson-Sirleaf runing her country. I have read and seen in documentaries the difficulties, financial and otherwise, that the Liberian President has had in the rebuilding process. These questions you would expect when a foreign President travels to other countries. The interviewer instead asked about the Presidents' difficulties raising her kids, former husband physically abusing her, having two babies in one year, and what she will do when she retires. Light questions, but effective enough to have a long line following the interview to purchase the Presidents' memoir. The President was quite candid with her answers, with an air of humor, and ended with motivation for all that they can do whatever they put their minds towards.

The President left to another rousing ovations. The secret service escorted her stage right to her quarters and would not allow the pushing press to her private area. Lines up the stairs to the second floor where her book was being sold formed.

I, however, left on the metro after being rejected by the secret service and again by the hired local organizers, in my attempts to get that prized interview and photo op promised prior to. Oh well, the short evening was rewarding and I again experienced royalty. The kind of royalty that I expect and demand as a broadcaster in the nation's capitol.


See President Obama's weekly 4-18-09 address: http://kirktanter.blogspot.com/2009/04/president-barack-obama-address-april-18.html