Planning To Succeed: Saluting a Statesman that Represented the US Admirably

Friday, February 1, 2019

Saluting a Statesman that Represented the US Admirably

In a matter of days, President Barack H. Obama will pass on the responsibility of leading the United States and the free world to Donald J. Trump. As previous US Presidents have done, President Obama and family will board an awaiting aircraft on the White House lawn, give us their big smiles and wave good-bye. The door will shut, the aircraft will lift off, and hopefully, the family will be let out to a quiet, unregimented locale. One of his many distinctions will be that he passes on the baton while he still has physical vigor to open another active chapter of his life. Obama was born in 1961 which makes him 55 years old. His two predecessors George Bush, Jr. and William Clinton were born in 1946.

Many news stories describe Obama as America’s first Black US President. In truth, he is the seventh Black US President—two others being Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln—or eighth when the public considers the period when the United States of America was a confederation of thirteen states. During that two year period, John Hanson, a highly melanated man was President.

The 44^th President has led a life of accomplishments. He has authored five books; was a community organizer for Developing Communities Project (1985-1988); a Civil Rights lawyer with Davis, Miner, Barnhill, and Galland (1993-2004); an Illinois State Senator (1996-2004); US Senator for Illinois (2005-2008); and US President (2009 -2017). Besides documentaries, a romantic drama, Southside With You, was made while he was still in office. This fan fare or publicity is on the level of John and Jacqueline Kennedy.

And like Kennedy, Obama has his fans and detractors. He detractors will say he did not do enough to directly improve the prosperity of US households though bailing out the banking industry improved the economy. For every US Presidential candidate, the way to know his agenda is to query him on US cabinet choices.

Once Obama has reacquainted himself with family and old friends, the social activism bug will bite him. Given his eight year effort to substantively address climate change, it is likely he will sustain the momentum. As a man of the people, his ears will be open to the concerns of the public. This writer contacted many elected officials, nonprofit administrators, and community-based organizations to get their responses to the following question: Once Barack Obama is fully rested, what do you suggest his next project or mission be?

Ethel Tyus, Board Member, General Counsel, and Treasurer for Crown Heights North Association suggests: As a constitutional law professor, President Obama can help guide State and local legislators in using voting and census data to reconfigure the gerrymandered districts that gave Republicans control of both Houses of Congress. This should be done in preparation for the 2020 elections.

Richard Flateau, Brooklyn Community Board no. 3 President proposes:

His next order of work is involvement with the My Brother’s Keeper Initiative. He can serve as an inspirational force and a role model. Barack Obama could do symbolic and substantive things to uplift Black boys and young men. He can continue his effort in gun control in the United States or actualize his interest in developing future leaders—girls and boys—as exemplified by PECASE awardees and other endeavors [who are new professionals in their respective fields].

From NYS Senator Jesse Hamilton (SD 20):

Former presidents have done great things both at home and abroad in terms of directing attention to important causes and continuing to help the American people grapple with tough problems. Leaving the office of President of the United States does not have to be the end of service to the American people. After his presidency, and after a well-deserved vacation, I hope President Obama will continue to lead on mentoring and the My Brother’s Keeper initiative. In Brownsville, I have seen firsthand the difference mentoring can make in the lives of our community’s young people. President Obama has a standing invitation to come and visit "the Campus”, our first-in-the-nation technology and wellness hub at a public housing site, that has helped so many young people through mentoring and afterschool education. I am positive that President Obama will continue to be an inspirational figure and that he will help lead on youth engagement, education, and ensuring the next generation of America’s young people have every opportunity to succeed. I look forward to whatever initiative he puts his mind to in his post-presidency, and I am sure he will bring the same sense of purposeful commitment to whatever challenge he chooses to take on. The same applies to our outstanding First Lady Michelle Obama, she has a record of leadership and inspiring people around the world.

NYS Assembly Member Latrice Walker (AD 55) offers:

I think President Barack Obama’s next mission, after he leaves the White House, should be to champion these three causes; the first being the protection of the right to vote. The second cause, would be to assist in developing a fair and equitable system for reapportionment and redistricting that also respects minority majority districts. Lastly, to mentor and train a new generation of leaders in the Democratic Party.

Statement from Council Member, Robert E. Cornegy, Jr. (CD 36):

President Obama’s service has been invaluable. I hope he will have a larger role within our Democratic Party to ensure the policies we have worked so hard for, i.e., correcting racial injustices, healthcare for all, STEM education, etc. will remain intact under a Republican administration. His next move should also mirror that of his predecessors, such as opening his Presidential Library, authoring more books, and speaking engagements, particularly within our urban communities which will benefit so many of our young people. Whatever pathway he chooses, I am sure our nation will continue to benefit from his service for many more years to come.

Labels: Barack Obama, Civil Rights lawyer, My Brother’s Keeper initiative, PECASE, presidential library, right to vote