In a serious conversation with Brian Tyler Cohen, former President Barack Obama gave a lesson in grace, wisdom, and strong belief in the American people. He calmly talked about the problems in the news and praised the good things people are doing.
Obama said: “I think it’s important to recognize that the majority of the American people find this behavior deeply troubling. It is true that it gets attention. It’s true that it’s a distraction. But as I travel around the country, I meet people who still believe in decency, courtesy, kindness.
As for the “ape” meme, he said: “There’s this sort of clown show that’s happening in social media and on television. And there doesn’t seem to be any shame about this among people who used to feel like you had to have some sort of decorum and a sense of propriety. And respect for the office. So that’s been lost. But the reason I point out that I don’t think the majority of the American people approve of this is because ultimately the answer is going to come from the American people.”
He also praised the amazing response in Minneapolis and St. Paul to recent ICE actions.
He mentioned neighbors helping families by buying groceries, helping children get to school, teachers supporting their students, and peaceful protesters standing up against bad government actions even in very cold weather.
Obama called this heroic and ongoing behavior that shows democracy works when people stay involved, pay attention, and say enough.
This is Barack Obama at his best: thoughtful, well-spoken, and very hopeful about the goodness of everyday Americans.
While others get angry or focus on distractions, he reminds us that real change comes from decency beating out division, from neighbors helping each other, and from living by our values.
In a time of chaos, his voice is still a light of hope, reason, and belief in the better parts of our nature.
About the Author
