With the recent election still fresh in our minds, there is a swirl of emotions going on about our newly elected president. While I am devastated by the results of this election (so much so I am refusing to say the real name of the orange Cheeto who is now holding the highest office of the land in this article), I’ve decided to instead write about something positive instead- all the good that the Obamas have done for the country.
The Obama presidency has been one for the history books, and I am proud to have witnessed it. Say what you will about Obama and about his effectiveness as a president, I will say that I think he did an excellent job. While there of course could have been things he could of accomplished that he didn’t quite, he can’t be blamed for this, as he was a Democratic president up against a majority Republican Congress. Despite this, he was able to stabilize the shaky economy he inherited, bring one of the world’s worst terrorists to justice, create an affordable health plan, avoid further violent conflicts with country’s like Syria, save the American auto industry, and show the strength, power, and fight of the American spirit over adversity and hate fighting him the whole way. He did all this while being incredibly well-spoken, and never losing his sense of humor and loving personality- need I bring up he and Joe Biden’s iconic friendship bracelets?
While the country may be mourning losing Barack from office, but they will be doing the same for his wife as well. Michelle Obama is in the rankings amongst Eleanor Roosevelt and Abigail Adams as the most influential First Ladies in the history of the United States, and is one of my personal favorite people on the entire planet. Her ability to remain so poised, well-versed, caring, strong, funny, and yet so normal and relateable as made her a huge role model to an entire generation of young girls, and her constant message of the strength of women and the importance of overcoming the hate and bigotry spewed in this election provide hope to so many people. Her healthy youth campaign was highly successful, and her nourishment to the bodies and minds of young people in the nation will forever be remembered.
Not only were the two able to accomplish everything mentioned above (plus much more), they were able to raise two strong, smart and intelligent teenagers. Being a teenager in general is enough of challenge, but growing up in the eye of the American people is so much harder. Sure, they are not perfect (do we remember the Lollapalooza controversy?), but no one is, and the fact that both Malia and Sasha are overall very good kids is very impressive and refreshing. During their time living in the White House, they still had to clean their own rooms, have chores, and do their homework just like any other teenager in the country. Sasha even had a summer job working on Martha’s Vineyard, and Malia is going to be attending college in the fall.
The Obama’s provided an inspiration to the American people by being a relateable family with strength and dignity through a very trying situation. They completed their duties as first family with smiles on their faces, kindness in their hearts, and fantastic fashion senses to go with. The Obama’s showed us what it is like to truly be American, and despite what is set to happen come January, I am incredibly thankful to have been able to witness eight fantastic years of Barack, Michelle, Malia, and Sasha Obama (and their dogs too while I’m at it).
