Why Can't We Have Four More Years
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Politics and Activism

Why Can't We Have Four More Years

I'll miss you Obama

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Why Can't We Have Four More Years
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As the election comes closer and closer to a close, many of us are coming to the sad realization that President Obama's days inside the White House are limited. The overwhelming nostalgia pains Obama lovers everywhere, and some of us even shout "four more years" in sadness. I grew up with Obama. In fact, Barack Obama was my first president; the first president I ever voted for.

My time growing up with Obama in office has shaped the way I view the world and the way I view politics today. For a short period of time, I was even lucky enough to work for the Obama Administration and see what progress really meant.

Barack Obama reflected the hope and change I wanted to see in the world, and he made those changes happen. In just 8 years, from my adolescence to my young adulthood, I saw many things change for the better. I saw the end of Osama. I saw a universal health care system that would only grow stronger with age. I saw less hate and more acceptance as gay marriage finally become legal. I saw the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." I saw the Global Food Security Act pass. I saw the Babies Act put into action. I saw a lot of amazing accomplishments. Accomplishments that I wanted.

But I saw something else too.

I saw a President that included me in the picture.

Politicians today are all too accepting of the fact that the younger generation still doesn't vote. They would rather disengage the younger generation than give them control in creating a new, better, more tolerant, more prosperous future. President Obama included the youth into his campaign and all throughout his presidency, finding ways to reach them as the world changed and as the way we communicated changed. Obama has made it clear from the beginning that he enjoys being around young people. He knows they are the ones that are going to make the change.

President Obama became the easiest public persona for me to stay connected with, and he understood the needs of my generation and how to reach us.

Tweets from Barack Obama and POTUS accounts kept me updated on what was happening. His Instagram kept me engaged as he posted pictures with Justin Timberlake that captioned "It's Gonna Be May" on April 30th. He and his Administration used Snapchat to document their journeys. President Obama even had the decency to call Kanye West a "jackass" after interrupting Taylor Swift. He used Youtube to connect with thought leaders like John Green and his whole administration took part in engaging the people who used these platforms: my generation. From the singing and the dancing to the jokes, there was a person behind the President; he made politics fun and paying attention became easy. I loved watching the Obama Administration over the past 8 years because I loved watching the Obama Family.

I watched as First Lady Michelle Obama made appearances on shows like iCarly and Ellen and even today as the Administration takes on its final days, Michelle is still engaging youth by doing appearances on Carpool Karaoke with James Corden and making a video with Youtube star and thought leader Tyler Oakley.

President Obama created a youth generation engaged in politics, and he found ways for them to engage. As social media takes on a mind of its own and campaigns like "Black Lives Matter" and "Yes All Women" grow entirely from social media, it's safe to say that the millennial generation is engaged. But getting this generation engaged in politics in a different story.

As the Obama Administration comes to an end and the election accelerates forward, it's safe to say that the next administration, whoever it may be, won't engage the millennial generation in any way shape or form as well as Obama. Because unlike the other candidates that just use social media, President Obama understood social media. He understood us. He understood me, and his administration found a way to engage me even when I wasn't paying attention.

Soon enough POTUS will take on a whole new meaning, and the POTUS accounts will too. Will Hillary or Trump drop their Spotify playlists featuring artists like Kendrick Lamar?Will they drop the mic? Will they fall over when a kid dressed up at Superman high fives them while saying "you're so strong!"? Probably not. Trump or Hillary are not nearly as fun as Obama, if at all. And unfortunately, Twitter fights are not a positive way to engage a new generation of voters.

So as President Obama's Administration dwindles down, my nostalgia grows. President Obama was my first president, and for the years to come, I imagine he'll remain my favorite too.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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