They are the grace and dignity that America should be. We need to live toward that vision. We need our better angels to prevail. Thanks for sharing this beautiful story.
The Obamas have given my faith in America a second wind. Their words are not just empty platitudes…they are words that can part the seas of trouble and doubt and fear because they lead to action. They lead to action that keeps us on the path to the promised land of principles we thought might disappear forever under the well-trodden path of pettiness and cruelty and corruption that now stretches as far as the eye can see. The Obamas are powerful prophets; the most powerful of my lifetime.
For many of us whose faith in our country is hanging by a thread, they are Moses and Abraham and Sarah and Ruth combined into one powerful source of divine patriotic wisdom. “Yes, we can,” means, “Whither thou goest, I will go.” It means that we must have faith in the destiny of the greatness that lies within each of us to overcome those who would cast down the least of us. It means that the salvation of our country is in our own hands because “The kingdom of heaven is spread out upon the earth but man does not see it.” We did not see it. Trump prevailed because we could not see that we had the most precious thing a country can have…a functioning, if imperfect, democracy. It now means that although we may never enter the land of milk and honey, we should not allow our fears to keep us from trying.
These are the messages of the Obamas whose lived reality inspires me beyond that which seems currently possible. All of this from a community organizer who dared to believe in our country and pull its shared promise up the steep hill of racism. How can we now eschew that belief, that “audacity of hope”? The Obamas are the embodiment of the American Dream. Their hope inspires in me a memory and vision of all things our Fourth of July used to be: picnics on the lawn or gatherings on the front porch, flag-waving during the parade of toy cars with a Sousa march blaring, fireworks that everyone can see in their awe-inspiring celebratory celestial blooms, hope and pride and laughter and tears and community. These are the things that can awaken our spirits, too…that can lift us up and beyond our present experience.
The picnic blanket upon which rests all the good things the Obamas have brought to feed our patriotic appetites awaits. Let’s all sit down and enjoy a feast of optimism and community. The hard work awaits, but for one day, can we just celebrate? At the risk of sounding corny, I repeat, “YES, WE CAN.”
I joke with myself from time to time that if Steve Bannon truly believes that trumpf can/will run for a third term, he would find himself up against one or more of the Obamas. Game over. Of course, in reality, I think it´s very unlikely that trumpf will make it through this term, let alone put Bannon´s theory to a test. He´s falling apart before our eyes, or as my Grandma would say, he´s going to hell in a handbasket.
It was so uplifting to hear thoughtful, well-spoken people once again on the national stage.
My hope is that more people watched former President Barrack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama give their messages of hope than watched the vulgar debacle on the desecrated White House grounds on June 14.
I have been struggling to be at all enthusiastic about my country's 250th birthday, but the Obamas have given me reason to try. How I miss their intelligence, grace, and humanity.
The last few days were a reminder and a rejuvenation of what our country was before the MAGA mindset changed us drastically. But it gives me hope that hearing the words of two intelligent, thoughtful, and patriotic people like the Obamas will reinvigorate the appreciation of democracy so vivid during the bicentennial celebration of 1976. We need to get back on the streets and demand we repossess democracy!
Beautiful
Thank you
In tears
Excerpt;
,,,”Y’all, hope is all we have, because hope is the essential spark that lights the fire of change, but hope is a choice.”
Michelle Obama
💙🇺🇸💙
They are the grace and dignity that America should be. We need to live toward that vision. We need our better angels to prevail. Thanks for sharing this beautiful story.
The Obamas have given my faith in America a second wind. Their words are not just empty platitudes…they are words that can part the seas of trouble and doubt and fear because they lead to action. They lead to action that keeps us on the path to the promised land of principles we thought might disappear forever under the well-trodden path of pettiness and cruelty and corruption that now stretches as far as the eye can see. The Obamas are powerful prophets; the most powerful of my lifetime.
For many of us whose faith in our country is hanging by a thread, they are Moses and Abraham and Sarah and Ruth combined into one powerful source of divine patriotic wisdom. “Yes, we can,” means, “Whither thou goest, I will go.” It means that we must have faith in the destiny of the greatness that lies within each of us to overcome those who would cast down the least of us. It means that the salvation of our country is in our own hands because “The kingdom of heaven is spread out upon the earth but man does not see it.” We did not see it. Trump prevailed because we could not see that we had the most precious thing a country can have…a functioning, if imperfect, democracy. It now means that although we may never enter the land of milk and honey, we should not allow our fears to keep us from trying.
These are the messages of the Obamas whose lived reality inspires me beyond that which seems currently possible. All of this from a community organizer who dared to believe in our country and pull its shared promise up the steep hill of racism. How can we now eschew that belief, that “audacity of hope”? The Obamas are the embodiment of the American Dream. Their hope inspires in me a memory and vision of all things our Fourth of July used to be: picnics on the lawn or gatherings on the front porch, flag-waving during the parade of toy cars with a Sousa march blaring, fireworks that everyone can see in their awe-inspiring celebratory celestial blooms, hope and pride and laughter and tears and community. These are the things that can awaken our spirits, too…that can lift us up and beyond our present experience.
The picnic blanket upon which rests all the good things the Obamas have brought to feed our patriotic appetites awaits. Let’s all sit down and enjoy a feast of optimism and community. The hard work awaits, but for one day, can we just celebrate? At the risk of sounding corny, I repeat, “YES, WE CAN.”
I joke with myself from time to time that if Steve Bannon truly believes that trumpf can/will run for a third term, he would find himself up against one or more of the Obamas. Game over. Of course, in reality, I think it´s very unlikely that trumpf will make it through this term, let alone put Bannon´s theory to a test. He´s falling apart before our eyes, or as my Grandma would say, he´s going to hell in a handbasket.
nice move on that chess board!! what a wonderful thought..thank you..that was hope..
134 days! May we last that long to achieve these goals!
It was so uplifting to hear thoughtful, well-spoken people once again on the national stage.
My hope is that more people watched former President Barrack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama give their messages of hope than watched the vulgar debacle on the desecrated White House grounds on June 14.
I have been struggling to be at all enthusiastic about my country's 250th birthday, but the Obamas have given me reason to try. How I miss their intelligence, grace, and humanity.
The last few days were a reminder and a rejuvenation of what our country was before the MAGA mindset changed us drastically. But it gives me hope that hearing the words of two intelligent, thoughtful, and patriotic people like the Obamas will reinvigorate the appreciation of democracy so vivid during the bicentennial celebration of 1976. We need to get back on the streets and demand we repossess democracy!