President Obama’s Defining Speeches

President Obama, our nation’s first black president, has had quite the political career, a varied range of highs and lows that have painted him as a polarizing figure in our country since he took off. The racially tumultuous climate in our country has grown to epic proportions since he has been in office, with African Americans divided over how effective his legacy has been for African Americans. For critics his victories have proved to be more symbolic than concrete, arguing that the conditions for blacks has worsened more so than approved under his term. Now as his term comes to an end,  I think this is a good time to look back at pivotal moments in his career and examine them. From there I believe we can begin judging his career.

1.             President Obama’s A More Perfect Union speech, given on March 18, 2008,  was one of the frankest speeches given to the American public about race in my lifetime (a short one but one nonetheless). Fresh off of the heels of controversy regarding Pastor Jeremiah Wright’s condemnation against America, Senator Obama found himself at a pivotal point in his campaign, a moment where he had to make a decision. There are many who rightfully felt as if he condemned Pastor Wright to save face and his career and there’s truth to this statement, but this judgment also fails to acknowledge what this speech did for the nation as well. In his speech President Obama acknowledged the issue of race as a problem, citing the historical and social inequalities that affected him and so many other people of color, all while attempting to unify us under the banner of American citizens.While not a new concept, it was indicative of how a black man would be the one to speak on the elephant in the room. His visit to Hiroshima and this past year to Cuba are just some of the instances where he sought to acknowledge and move past America’s sins.
2. President Obama’s comments on the murder of Trayvon Martin in 2012 at the hands of a vigilante was another defining moment in his legacy. The murder of a young black male who committed no crime was an all too familiar narrative for people of color and one that incited outrage. Many saw the President’s comments (If I had a son, he’d look like Trayvon) as nothing more than a formality, dismissing his comments as theatrics and placation. Giving credence to the comments, there is another side to the story. The details of the case were still fairly new at the time as the investigation was beginning to grow. In spite of backlash, he managed to objectively look at the case from his logical side as a constitutional lawyer as well as emotionally. In the end however his comments fell short when a grand jury acquitted the rogue. To critics alike they felt as if the president and the federal government could have and should have done more.

3. President Obama’s speech at Emmanuel A.M.E. Church in South Carolina following the mass shooting was yet another moment where the president found himself hedged between a matter that not only affected all Americans, but in particular African Americans. The systemic assault on a historically black church, the bedrock of black society, was not only an act of terror but also another reminder of just how far we were as a nation from the idea of post racism. His ability as an orator is widely known and true to form he delivered a rousing speech that pleased his constituents, but in the end his decision to sing the hymn Amazing Grace stuck out the most. The irony in singing a ballad written by a slave owner at a church created by slaves undoubtedly incited uproar to some who saw his actions as nothing more than words.

      In the end I believe symbolically he is one of the greatest presidents we’ve ever had. Charisma, presence and oratorical ability are all traits we look for in leaders and when hard conversations came up I believe President Obama never shied away from them, tackling issues such as race and sex bravely. Under his term, several groups saw their issues become central issues with immigration and gay marriage among the top issues. Aside from these issues, his success in turning around our economy, renovating the healthcare industry, as well as improving our relationship with other countries globally all stand out as major accomplishment. But when looking at his legacy through the lens of these speeches, I find myself conflicted. Maybe the pressure of his position led me and others to expect much more than he could reasonably deliver. Ultimately he will be remembered as a man who did a lot with a little, a man whose moments of brilliance left us filled but still wishing for more.