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.
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.
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.”
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!
The Obamas reaffirm that it is “we the people” who make change and we can change what is happening. They support that so beautifully by being living examples of leadership that is gracious, firm in their beliefs & grounded in the needs of people. May their taking center stage for such a power moment reignite that spirit in us all.
The Obamas represent all that is kind, full of grace, and integrity that is sorely missed in today’s White House. We can and will bring back those values when this corruption is removed from government. And it WILL be removed. The pendulum is swinging toward honesty, morality, and ethics in leadership. We must hang together or we will all hang separately.
I watched Michelle's speech last night. All I can say is if she were to run for president in 2028, she'd smoke 'em all, even my fave, Jon Ossoff. Both Obamas' speeches, their messages of uplift and hope, made me wonder: Do the many toadies who fluff trump constantly, keep the injustice and mayhem alive, look in their mirrors and sigh "Yes we can" do the damage they are expected to do? Do they know, deep down, that they betray America every day, with their lies and bombast and incompetence? I miss the Obama years. The unity of purpose, the hope and appreciation for a competent and committed team giving their best, intent on moving the ball of democracy just that much further down the field.
TY for sharing these parts of their talks. They ARE America and, Yes, give me Hope.
Only other comment: Remember, we must vote in numbers too large to question the outcome and 'someones' to watch dememted donny's stooge very, very carefully when EC votes are counted.
I listened to both speeches on the Center's website, and Michelle PRECEDED her husband (he was, after all, the main attraction and therefore spoke last.)
Also, in her speech I believe Michelle meant to say human beings have "inherent" value (a common expression), not "an errant" value, which would be a negative value and incompatible with the content of her speech.
I’m not especially impressed to hear them talk about “hope.“ Hope is an emotion and it more or less takes care of itself. What we need from leaders is concrete change in the real world: the kind of thing that makes mere hope unnecessary.
I truly believe that Barak Obama was the best President of my lifetime. And that his legacy continues to glisten as splendidly and magnificently as the Chicago skyline on a crystal-clear night.
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.
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..
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.”
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!
The Obamas reaffirm that it is “we the people” who make change and we can change what is happening. They support that so beautifully by being living examples of leadership that is gracious, firm in their beliefs & grounded in the needs of people. May their taking center stage for such a power moment reignite that spirit in us all.
The Obamas represent all that is kind, full of grace, and integrity that is sorely missed in today’s White House. We can and will bring back those values when this corruption is removed from government. And it WILL be removed. The pendulum is swinging toward honesty, morality, and ethics in leadership. We must hang together or we will all hang separately.
134 days! May we last that long to achieve these goals!
I watched Michelle's speech last night. All I can say is if she were to run for president in 2028, she'd smoke 'em all, even my fave, Jon Ossoff. Both Obamas' speeches, their messages of uplift and hope, made me wonder: Do the many toadies who fluff trump constantly, keep the injustice and mayhem alive, look in their mirrors and sigh "Yes we can" do the damage they are expected to do? Do they know, deep down, that they betray America every day, with their lies and bombast and incompetence? I miss the Obama years. The unity of purpose, the hope and appreciation for a competent and committed team giving their best, intent on moving the ball of democracy just that much further down the field.
Is there anything to believe in other than hope? The alternative is not acceptable.
TY for sharing these parts of their talks. They ARE America and, Yes, give me Hope.
Only other comment: Remember, we must vote in numbers too large to question the outcome and 'someones' to watch dememted donny's stooge very, very carefully when EC votes are counted.
In all the confusion and torment of every day life, it is often possible to forget the beauty, that once graced our lives.
I listened to both speeches on the Center's website, and Michelle PRECEDED her husband (he was, after all, the main attraction and therefore spoke last.)
Also, in her speech I believe Michelle meant to say human beings have "inherent" value (a common expression), not "an errant" value, which would be a negative value and incompatible with the content of her speech.
I’m not especially impressed to hear them talk about “hope.“ Hope is an emotion and it more or less takes care of itself. What we need from leaders is concrete change in the real world: the kind of thing that makes mere hope unnecessary.
I would suggest that hope provides critical fuel for concrete change.
Steven,
I truly believe that Barak Obama was the best President of my lifetime. And that his legacy continues to glisten as splendidly and magnificently as the Chicago skyline on a crystal-clear night.