The Most Important Legacy of Barack and Michelle Obama

[kpete]

By Nancy LeTourneau

Barack and Michelle Obama entered the White House not only with an awareness about what was coming, but also an understanding that they would face this kind of onslaught as the first African Americans to live there. There have been times that I’ve tried to imagine the weight they willingly took on their shoulders to avoid those kinds of entanglements – knowing what the slightest human imperfection would trigger.

It’s not that Republicans haven’t tried. We’ve seen attempts to blow up everything from a gun-running sting gone bad, mistreated veterans, the botched rollout of HealthCare.gov, the Bowe Bergdahl prisoner exchange, Secret Service debauchery, the IRS targeting, Hillary Clinton’s email server and Benghazi. That doesn’t even count all the times we’ve been subjected to complaints about teleprompters, the President’s golf game, family vacations, and the color of the suit the President wore for a press conference (to name just a few). But other than in the minds of the conspiracy-obsessed, nothing stuck.

As we approach the 2016 election and the end of this President’s second term, we’ll continue to see attempts to summarize his legacy of accomplishments. This one should be at the top of any list. That is partly because an attempt to de-legitimize him via scandal has failed. It is also why he will be positioned to be an asset to Hillary Clinton. But in ways that are probably not yet imagined, Barack and Michelle Obama have paved the way for countless young African Americans to be proud, and aspire to follow in their footsteps.

MORE:
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2016_05/the_most_important_legacy_of_b060642.php

[Fresh_Start]

1. President Obama also showed young non-African Americans the same thing.

Its important for both groups to see an amazing African American President and an wonderful first family.

[Surya Gayatri]

2. Amen! The blessings of this extraordinary couple will accrue in the coming years...

[Silver_Witch]

3. I think history skill show us how wonderfully great he is/was

I have said this before I wish I would be here in 50 or 100 years to seen the history books and how they speak of President Obama. I think it will be amazing. Sadly I have to near fools and racists now. Thakfully their time is soon coming to an end!

[Roy Rolling]

4. Proves Trump wrong

Apparently, a Muslim immigrant from Kenya can be one of our best presidents ever.

[NoMoreRepugs]

5. Agree 100% - they have been REMARKABLE... a credit to us all

[oldandhappy]

6. Grateful for this president and his family.

Generous, gracious people.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

7. his effect on young black people and white people are immense

plus saving us all from a deep recession was also really nice

his justice department has been a WONDER for all minorities.

Overall, he has been a great president, given all the shitty obstruction he has gotten. He will shape young black voices, but he has also shown young white people not to underestimate the potential of black kids.

[ailsagirl]

16. And he always takes the high road

but he has his way of making a point-- as when he debated Romney and said, "Please proceed, Governor..."

Priceless. I have always felt profoundly proud that he is our president-- not only did he handle all the major responsibilities, he thrived on it.

I will be deeply saddened to see him go, regardless of who takes his place.

Thank you, Mr. President

[forest444]

8. And while he's often been too hesitant, Obama did save the country from another great depression.

No small feat.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

9. Assuming Hillary wins, I see him cementing his legacy through empowering minorities and inner cities

Of course, if Trump wins, I half expect American society to collapse so I don't think any former president's going to have much of a legacy.

[jwirr]

10. Yes. That and their family model and goodness are to me

the model we have needed since the 80s.

[Skittles]

11. "Touch it, dude!"

LOVE that picture

[MadDAsHell]

12. Uh, African Americans didn't need Obama to be proud.

Last edited Thu May 26, 2016, 02:30 AM - Edit history (2)

It ain't like we were self-loathing until he made us feel "good enough."

WTF?

[Hekate]

14. Way to miss the point. Also, Spell Check is your friend.

[gademocrat7]

13. K&R

[Hekate]

15. The Obamas have done this country proud. President Obama is the best in my lifetime...

....despite the treasonous GOP that blocked his every move.

I look forward to seeing what Barack and Michelle Obama do next.