The ‘Unofficial’ Material Culture of President Barack Obama’s 2009 Inauguration

The life history framework was applied to US presidential elections. Six stages were recognized, beginning with declaration of candidacy and ending with inauguration. Evidence suggested that each stage has a distinctive constellation of artifacts. Of special interest were unofficial inauguration artifacts. In this photo essay the author documented a sample of such artifacts offered for sale by Black street vendors in connection with Barack Hussein Obama’s 2009 inauguration. The artifacts were mostly small enough to be tucked into suitcases, inexpensive and clearly marked the event through visual performance. Tourists who came for the inauguration were agents who distributed these artifacts throughout the country, perhaps the world.