After eight years of serving as the President of the United States, Barack Obama left office on January 20, as Republican President elect Donald Trump took his place in the White House. Obama was the democratic candidate in 2008 and proceeded to beat Senator of Arizona John McCain, and then in a second run in 2012 Obama won the re election against Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney.
Supports and non supporters of Obama can agree on the fact that he has accomplished something no one else has by becoming being the first African American president. The racial barriers he knocked down is a legacy within itself, however Obama has accomplished many other feats that will make him go down in history. His image alone has impacted the lives of many American people, due to the example he set for minority groups, proving that race should not inhibit people from reaching their goals.
“Barack Obama had to happen. There had to be a first black. And he had to be the safest possible choice. And there was no safer choice than Barack Obama,” journalist for Mother Jones magazine Debra Dickerson said.
Aside from his strong public image, Obama has done many other things to improve the wellbeing of the country and all those who inhabit it. From killing Osama Bin Laden to removing troops from Iraq to instilling ObamaCare providing for those who cannot afford it, Obama has left his mark on the country.
“His voice and his power was eye opening for those who had felt it was necessary to hide in the shadows due to fear. No matter who took over the office for him, the trust we placed in him will never fade away nor will the legacy he left; to be able to express yourself and be diverse because that’s what our country is about,” NHS sophomore Georgia Filter said.
Obama kept many of the promises he made during his campaign 2008. He has improved the job market by saving and creating a total of one million jobs, and providing insurance for over 20 million with the help of the Affordable Healthcare Act.
“He has been able to create millions of jobs and set America back in the right direction,” NHS junior Michael Ather said.
In terms of education, Obama has created the “No Child Left Behind” project, which gave the power back to states to supply failing schools, he also made the federal student aid process easier for students applying to college in need of financial help. Obama made the vague promise of ‘improving education’ back in 2008, however he has increased the amount of math and science based curriculums and encouraged more science fairs and contests. He also established the “Race to the Top,”a program which gives grants to diverse students in effort to get them into STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
“He has not only progressed our country economically but he has progressed our country socially by making gay marriage legal and ensuring all people are equal. He also gave the option of affordable health care to everybody even if you have a pre-existing condition,” NHS junior Ava Bayus said.
His stand on racial and social issues also won the hearts of many people and created waves throughout the nation. Obama expanded the definition of a ‘hate crime’ in 2009 making it inclusive to those in the LGBT+ community. Additionally, throughout the duration of the racial tensions in the nation, Obama held strong, being a leader for those who need someone to look up to.
“He brought comfort upon our nation instead of making us feel shameful for being who we truly wanted to be,” Filter said.
Not only Barack, but his family who stood behind him during his presidency also acted as figureheads for many American people. Michelle Obama took action and became involved in the health and wellness of American children by launching campaigns such as “Let’s Move,” a program encouraging children to exercise and, “The School Lunch Program,” which reduced the cost of school lunches for areas in need. Michelle Obama took the role of the first lady head on and embodied the role of a strong leader.
Throughout his presidency Obama has been able to drop the unemployment rates below what he promised, create health care, and remain out of any major wars. He has also knocked down a racial barrier that has been up for more than 100 years.
“He is the definition of ‘for the people,’” Bayus said.
Image Courtesy of The White House