Tonight, it’s my turn to say thanks.
President Barack Obama brought forth a nostalgic juxtaposition in his
hour-long farewell to the head of the White House. His words were a
combination of a thank you card, motivational speech, State of the Union,
and an embedded instructor’s manual for leaders of the next generation. He
confidently denounced every bit of hatred and alienation encouraged by his
opposition without mention of names. However, maintained his dignity and
respect for his most vocal naysayers. The 44 th President of the United States
brought forth comforting optimism through historical
context, but with a wealth of wisdom that challenged the comfort
zone of every American.
Yes, we did.
Standing with pride in the accomplishments of his administration,
POTUS reflected on historical moves such as the 2009 General Motors
Investment/Bail-Out, the Affordable Care Act, Marriage Equality, ending
the threat that was Osama Bin Laden, and strengthening US-Cuban relations.
He did not attribute those accomplishments to himself nor any particular
politician, “but that’s what we did. That’s what you did. You were the
change. The answer to people’s hopes and, because of you, by almost every
measure, America is a better, stronger place than it was when we started.”
Obama was determined to affirm the collective power of “ordinary people”
throughout his address.
But for all the real progress that we’ve made, we know it’s not enough.
Though surreal in its essence, the address was not short on its
sobering moments. The simple mention of the upcoming administration
sparked uniform booing towards the 2017 president-elect. Obama quickly
denounced the booing, and acknowledged “the peaceful transfer of power
from one freely-elected President to the next.” He spoke on the struggle of
economic justice, tying it to the frustrations of poor Americans, especially in
rural areas. Nevertheless he made it clear that we cannot use the case of poor
whites to push the fallacy of a “post-racial” society despite significant strides
in civil rights. Within the same moment, he asserted his support of all
marginalized people, including Muslims and immigrants. He encompassed
these ideas as he emphasized the importance of education, science, and fact-
based independent press sources. President Obama made a nationwide case
for the intellect in a society that is facing a pattern of glorified falsehoods.
Having given praises to his family, Vice President Joe Biden, and his
staff…President Obama turned to empower the American people…
I am asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about change — but in
yours.
I am asking you to hold fast to that faith written into our founding
documents; that idea whispered by slaves and abolitionists; that spirit sung
by immigrants and homesteaders and those who marched for justice; that
creed reaffirmed by those who planted flags from foreign battlefields to the
surface of the moon; a creed at the core of every American whose story is
not yet written:
Yes, we can.
Watch the full address here…