From 'Yes We Can' to 'Yes We Did': Obama spreads message of hope with warnings for future

He came, he spoke, he wept and he swept away his fans and followers across the US and the entire world. Barack Obama in his farewell speech from Chicago (where he started his political journey) delivered a 54-minute tearjerker which captured myriad emotions by the President who is about to demit office in 10 days. Obama while highlighting his legacy and work done on the economic and social fronts, painted a possible stark picture of gloom and doom if people got trapped in a cesspool of hate and bigotry or in their own bubble of resonance with very little care for the rest. 

Barack Obama in his entire speech referred only once to Donald Trump, but a significant part of his speech was directed at disenchanted voters who supported him in  2008 and 2012, but voted red in November, 2016. It was an appeal for moderation and tempered behaviour at a time when the US seems to be at a crossroad. In his speech, Obama repeatedly stressed on citizen movements to bring about small changes in society. Shunning the idea of discrimination on the lines of race, religion or sexual preference, the US President said, "It's the conviction that we are all created equal, endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights, among them life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It's the insistence that these rights, while self-evident, have never been self-executing; that We, the People, through the instrument of our democracy, can form a more perfect union."

He pulled inspiration from history and its often uneven course to claim that the US has always shown the willingness to change, and for better eventually. Acutely aware that many in the convention hall are crestfallen after Trump's victory, Obama said, "For every two steps forward, it often feels we take one step back. But the long sweep of America has been defined by forward motion, a constant widening of our founding creed to embrace all and not just some".

Image Courtesy: Reuters 

Obama outlined major achievements like dragging the economy back up post the 2008 slump, Obamacare, diplomatic breakthroughs with Iran and Cuba, the US Supreme Court's green signal to same sex marriage, among others things. Yet, Obama, acutely aware of the unfulfilled work stressed that the youth can act as the power of change. Throughout the speech, like his tenure, Obama stressed on bipartisanship on crucial issues and the need for civil debate and discussions even when people disagree with each other. 

The US President tried to blunt frequently repeated allegations from both the right and the left that economic inequality is increasing and healthcare costs are going out of hand by quoting statistics. In a veiled response to reports of Republicans looking to repeal Obamacare, President said that he would welcome it if more people got affordable medicare from the new scheme. The US President highlighted three very real threats that endanger democracy in the country. While he said it for the US, it perfectly resonates with the existing situation in many other countries like India, where a huge churn is taking place in the democratic process. 

The first pressing issue is of unequal economic growth leading to social unrest. Obama, reaching out to the middle class and the working class, stressed that it's not outsourcing or immigration but automation that poses the greatest threat. He said that steps have been taken to better the safety net for workers and make the tax codes more rigid. The second issue Obama highlighted was the creeping fear of racism. Obama acknowledging the US' chequered past in this regard said that he is under no illusion that  it remains a divisive force in the society. Obama said that merely converting all economic debate to binaries between the 'hardworking white middle class' and an 'undeserving minority', would only retrograde US as a society. He reminded people that the economy is not a zero sum game and there is enough scope for improvement for all. 

Obama called for changing attitudes in the society, apart from toughening of laws, to make discrimination a thing of the past. His speech was an appeal to show empathy, and he urged the blacks, the whites and the native Americans to think of the other groups and to relate to their problems. Rather than becoming a salad bowl, US should be a melting pot and Obama repeatedly tried to quell fears about immigration by saying, "America wasn't weakened by the presence of these newcomers; these  newcomers embraced this nation's creed, and this nation was strengthened". 

Obama warned against rescinding into silos in this increasingly partisan times. He said, "For too many of us, it's become safer to retreat into our own bubbles, whether in our neighborhoods or on college campuses, or places of worship, or especially our social media feeds, surrounded by people who look like us and share the same political outlook and never challenge our assumptions. The rise of naked partisanship, and increasing economic and regional stratification, the splintering of our media into a channel for every taste -- all this makes this great sorting seem natural, even inevitable. And increasingly, we become so secure in our bubbles that we start accepting only information, whether it's true or not, that fits our opinions, instead of basing our opinions on the evidence that is out there."

As the third danger to democracy, Obama said that it is the problem of lack of politics of ideas. In a not so subtle dig to Trump, he said denying problems like climate change will only make the situation worse for future generations. Obama, while denouncing militant Islam, explained why he is against ostracising American Muslims for it. For Obama, the parting appeal was repeatedly urging people to stick to the core Constitutional values, which he said makes US a truly revered country across the globe. Overall, Obama stressed on not taking democracy for granted and said that only the power of people demanding justice can usher in change, one brick at a time.

Overall, Obama in his final hurrah spoke about issues close to his heart, addressing the nation for the final time as the Commander- in-Chief. It was one last time, that the President tried to appeal for change before getting relegated to a chapter in history. Obama's legacy will be calculated threadbare and people may find fault with his foreign policy, or using his Presidential veto and accord frequently, which puts his legacy in a much shaky ground. But one can't fault Obama for sincerity and genuine desire to try and change the lives of people whom he touched with his policies. Only for that, history will judge him kindly, highlighting over some of the kinks. 

Obama towards the end, said the youth will soon be a majority in the nation and that gives him hope. It is probably not a coincidence that most of the young voters supported liberal ideals and voted Democrats in the elections. He even urged the youth to be the agent of change, participate in electoral politics, either by voting or by contesting. It was a precursor to his speculated future role, where Obama as an influential voice from the Left will try to nurture leaders with a similar value system. Obama's reign may have ended, but the Obama age may well be in the offing. Obama's speech painted him as an eternal optimist who tried to believe in the inherent goodness of people which propelled him to the highest seat of the United States of America in just a spate of 12 years. The cacophony of hate may have drowned out the voice of sanity in this election, but Barack Hussein Obama in his swansong hoped that the country, with faith in its Constitution, would emerge from the troubled times. Khizr Khan must be a happy man today.