The Obamas dance at the Commander in Chief Inaugural Ball in 2008 via USA Today
I still clearly remember the emotional intensity that engulfed campus the morning after election night. At a university where the political climate is largely liberal, the mood was somber. People hugged at the nearby Starbucks to comfort one another and students in my political science classes could not help but tear up when discussing the projected implications of a Trump presidency. It has been over two months since election night and while time has helped to mend broken hearts, what has been most reassuring are the honest and hopeful words from President Obama.
On Tuesday, January 10th in Chicago, Illinois, Obama delivered his farewell address to the nation in which he reminded us what is necessary for a thriving American democracy. He boiled it down to two main ideas: unity and participation. These ideals have been impaired by the corrosive political dialogue endured by the public for the past year that took its toll in the form of intense political divisiveness and increased political apathy. Perhaps the scariest part about this election, however, is that it revealed that, as the President put it, hearts must still change which is a process that is often slower and more difficult than passing a law or creating a policy. Obama emphasized that this change will only come if we pop our political bubbles of people who look, pray, and think the same way we do and engage with the other side. While emotions continue to run high post-election, it is important to take his words to heart. Discussion and even initial disagreement is the only way to work towards common ground, create change, and move forward. It is dangerous to ignore scientific fact and the realities of an ever-modernizing world, but it is also dangerous to have the self-righteous belief that one is always right.
In his departing words, Obama also implored citizens, especially young ones, to continue to be the “jealous guardians” of our American democracy. He emphasized that what is necessary to democracy is the participation of the individual. He stated, “If you’re tired of arguing with strangers on the Internet, try talking with one of them in real life. If something needs fixing, then lace up your shoes and do some organizing. If you’re disappointed by your elected officials, grab a clipboard, get some signatures, and run for office yourself.” In other words, stop just complaining and start doing. This request to take self-initiative and participate is empowering because what it means is that as we move into a Trump presidency, no matter where you fall on the political spectrum, you still have the power, as an individual, to create positive change.
At the end of his speech, after giving heartfelt and tearful thanks to his wife Michelle, his daughters Sasha and Malia, and his right-hand man Joe, he thanks the American citizenry – the everyday people like you and me. He tells us that we changed the world. And after hearing all of the accomplishments of his presidency –the economic achievements like job creation and the recovery from a recession, the military victories like the shut down of Iraq’s nuclear program and the execution of Bin Laden, and the social progress like marriage equality – and after watching our first African American president address the nation after a successful eight-year term, I believe that we did and that we can do it again.