Aliyah C. Tipton
Staff Writer
History was made at the United States Capitol in 2009. With his wife, Michelle, his daughters, Malia and Sasha, and millions of other Americans in his corner, Barack Hussein Obama was inaugurated as the first black president of the United States.
As if this alone was not reason enough for celebration in the black community, President Obama made history again in 2013 as the first black president elected to serve two terms.
While in office, President Obama accomplished much, even when it seemed the odds were stacked against him. As of 2016, the economy had added 15.5 million new jobs since early 2010, thanks to the president.
In 2011, he gave the orders, which resulted in the death and elimination of al-Qaeda terrorist leader Osama bin Laden. Laden had been credited with orchestrating the most deadly terrorist attack on American soil on September 11, 2001. The attacks killed 2,996 people, injured over 6,000 others, and caused at least $10 billion in property and infrastructure damage and $3 trillion in total costs.
He also enacted the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), commonly called the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and nicknamed Obamacare, on March 23, 2010. Millions of Americans who previously could not afford health coverage are now insured.
Obama also normalized relations with Cuba in 2016, resuming direct mail flights for the first time in fifty years. These are only a few of many accomplishments made by President Obama while in office.
After an historical eight years, America says goodbye to the man who asked and delivered change they could believe.
Many celebrities took to social media to express their gratitude to President Obama with the hashtag #ObamaFarewell.
Comedian and television host Ellen DeGeneres tweeted, @POTUS @BarackObama I love you more than I have space on Twitter to describe. Former professional basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson also tweeted, saying, @POTUS @BarackObama without question is the greatest speaker and man that I know. Superstar singer Cher tweeted, When the President & First Lady Leave the White House… We Will Be Custodians of HOPE.
Celebrities are not the only ones who have words for the President and First Lady Michelle Obama. All of America is talking, including the students at Jackson State University. When asked what their last words would be if they were able to speak to President Obama before he leaves office, JSU students replied with some of the most heart-felt responses.
Freshman business administration major Kentravion Davis said, “He [Obama] will be missed by the people of America. I want him to know that we as a whole support him 100 percent and believe that he did all he could do to better the country.”
DeJarius Evans, a senior graphic design major said, “He has made a huge impact in our country. I honestly would cry and tell him don’t leave [laughs]. All I can really say is thank you for running this country the best way possible. Despite all of the hatred towards him, he kept his composure…and kept doing his job.”
Jamesha Keithley, a sophomore biology pre-medicine major not only congratulated President Obama on being the first Black president, but also on “picking the perfect wife.” Keithley believes First Lady Obama “played a huge role and had a big impact” on her husband’s presidency.
Myuna Jones, a junior mass communications major had this to say to President Obama: “I am thankful that he and his family served two terms scandal/drama/allegation free. I truly appreciate the way that not only he put in the work, but so did the First Lady with the many programs that she implemented.”
Jones went on to say that she wonders how Obama stays positive with the future of America being in such a horrible person’s hands [Donald Trump].
We take this opportunity to salute President Barack Obama on a job well done. He will be remembered for his many accomplishments and for giving America his absolute best, even through tears, stress, and criticism. President Obama is leaving the White House with more gray hairs on his head than when he entered, probably because he has selflessly carried America on his shoulders for the past eight years.
I believe that the end of this presidency is not a goodbye, but a hello to new opportunities for the American people to finish what President Obama started in 2009. Thanks to the first family for making history and for pushing individuals worldwide to set their standards and goals high.
“Obama, out.”
The views expressed in the commentary are those of the writer(s) and in no way represent the views of The Blue & White Flash.
