People Speak on the Legacy of President Barack Obama
Los Angeles Sentinel & L.A. Watts Times Newspaper Executive Publisher/Bakewell Media CEO Danny Bakewell Sr.
“President Barack Obama has been an undeniable beacon light, something that all of us and our families can aspire to. He is not only a vital part of African American history but he is a crucial part of American History. His Presidency is a demonstration of what America often professes to be and an example of what we all hope America can be. He had unmatchable power, and often used it wisely and carefully, sometimes maybe too carefully but his legacy will live for generations to come.
His commitment to his girls, his relationship with Michelle Obama his dedication to this country and the world will always be a shining example of what the African American Family can be when given the opportunity.”
Senator Kamala Harris (file photo)
California State Senator Holly J. Mitchell
“Aside from lifting civil and economic barriers faced by so many African Americans and others, Barack Obama’s extension of affordable healthcare to 20 million of those who most needed it places him among history’s most effective and magnanimous statesmen. “The First Lady’s passion for the well-being of military families, her work to guarantee that girls all over the world have access to education, her ‘Let’s Move’ campaign for healthy eating and fitness, coupled with her intelligence, elegance and grace made me stand a bit taller as a Black woman. They made me proud. “
California State Senator Steve Bradford
“The historic aspect of Barack Obama’s election as President of the United States of America has given the youth and millennials of our nation tremendous hope that they too can be and do anything that they want if they only set their minds to it. Thanks to his dedication and hard work, President Obama provided health care to millions of Americans who have never had it before. That is going to be a large part of his legacy.”
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti
“You can’t listen to President Obama, or the First Lady, without feeling an abiding love for this country. They have inspired us to believe again in the power of government as a force for good. And over the last eight years, they reminded us why we all have to stand up for the poor, for the defenseless, for working people, for Americans who for too long have lacked basic necessities like quality health care they can afford.
President Obama and I have been friends since before he was elected to the Senate, and it has been a great honor to meet him at the White House on several occasions, and to greet him on his visits to Los Angeles. I have had extraordinary opportunities to talk to him about our priorities in L.A. — like criminal justice reform, finding homes for people who don’t have them, improving our transportation infrastructure, revitalizing the L.A. River, and supporting our bid for the Olympics in 2024.
The President has been very invested in our city’s future, and Los Angeles is a better place because of the Obama administration. We owe President Obama a huge debt of gratitude — and we’ll miss him. A lot.”
Inglewood Mayor James Butts
“The legacy of President Barrack Obama is wide and deep. Most significantly, he provided affordable health care insurance to over 20 million more Americans. The dignity and grace that he and the First Lady brought to the White House has not been seen since the Kennedy’s.”
Compton Mayor Aja Brown
“President Obama has forever changed American politics. Because he dared to hope for change, there is an entire generation that grew up experiencing a form of Dr. King’s “Dream.” He’s made a deposit and opened the door for the next generation to lead us forward. He led our nation fueled by a White House staff comprised of vibrant, diverse, committed and tenacious young minds. His determination to boldly implement his vision for a better America against fierce opposition inspires me everyday that I serve. Because he did, I know I can.”
Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley Thomas “President Obama’s election was a testament to how far we have come since the Civil Rights Movement,” Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas said. “Not only did he break the racial barrier by becoming the nation’s first African American president, he also helped to end the Great Recession, brought troops home from war, took out the mastermind of 9/11, and reformed the healthcare system when no other president could, among many other sterling accomplishments.” “Now that President Obama’s administration is coming to a close, it is up to us to protect his legacy, and we can start by fighting to preserve the Affordable Care Act,” Supervisor Ridley-Thomas added. “Yes, we can – we must – or else 4.8 million Californians, including 1.5 million in Los Angeles County, stand to lose their health insurance.”
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn
Barack Obama inherited a country in crisis and over the course of the last eight years brought us back from the brink despite overwhelming odds and unprecedented obstruction. Millions of Americans poured their hopes and dreams into his presidency and he not only carried that burden with dignity and grace but rose to meet their expectations. During his time in office he has been a role model, a champion for justice and the underserved, a visionary for America’s future, and the nation’s moral compass. President Obama will go down in history as an extraordinary president and I consider myself lucky to have worked with him.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey
“President Obama inspired me and Americans across many generation with his compassionate and graceful leadership style. His dignity and resolve during the election and throughout his presidency served as a model of what great things could be achieved, particularly for those who had never dared to dream as big before.”
State Assemblymember Chris Holden
“We will always remember President Obama for his tangible achievements such as passing comprehensive health care reform, implementing some of the strongest environmental protections, and saving our country from one of the worst economic disasters. His legacy however goes beyond his numerous victories as he will always be an inspiration for young people for generations to come.”
State Assemblymember Sebastian Ridley-Thomas
Barack Hussein Obama was the first vote for president I’d ever cast. He was the leader of the effort that took me to Washington, D.C. as a policy and program intern with the Children’s Defense Fund and National Ministries of the American Baptist Churches during the summer the Affordable Care Act was being crafted. Obama was the dynamic change agent that made it attractive to serve in government for people of all backgrounds. Like Douglas Wilder, Tom Bradley, Harold Washington, Maynard Jackson and many more before him, Obama was a symbolic and effective leader who brought desperate constituencies toward shared goals. Resorting the economy, expanding opportunity, and fostering a more perfect union are hallmarks of such leaders. Sometimes moving the ball is enough to advance the cause. We did not win the game (that takes a long time), but we are better for the service, sacrifices and successes of Barack Obama. I got the best that I might hope for my vote: dedicated, honest, and engaged service.
State Assemblymember Mike Gipson
Much of the country was first introduced to Senator Barack Obama (D-Illinois) at the 2004 Democratic National Convention where he spoke passionately about ‘the audacity of hope.’ A nation who had long abandoned the fleeting virtue readily embraced his message. The next powerful affirmation came in 2008 when he reminded us, ‘Yes, we can.’
He was as quick to smile as he was to switch to a serious expression. His demeanor was always approachable. President Obama brought us out of a recession, lowered the unemployment rate, revitalized the auto industry and improved the economy. During his two terms, through October 2016, there was a record 73 consecutive months of overall job growth. He established the ‘Making Home Affordable’ refinancing plan and signed the ‘Helping Families Save Their Homes Act.’
He took down Osama bin Laden and ended two wars.
President Obama gave us the Affordable Care Act so that all Americans could have access to health coverage.
He gave us First Lady Michelle Obama, who opened up her heart and the White House to the nation.
He embraced technology and was the first President to stream every White House event live. And, finally, he left us with the message to ‘believe’ in our own ability to create change. ‘Yes, we can;’ and ‘yes, he did.’”
Los Angeles City Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson
“Michelle and Barack Obama rode into the White House on a cresting demand for hope and change. President Obama delivered on that promise and unleashed an unquenchable thirst for freedom and prosperity among the American people. Our country will never be the same. Thank you, President Obama. Forward.”
Compton City Councilwoman Janna Zurita
I am filled with pride when I think of President Obama. He has not only done a great job as president, but he has also been a great role model. Not just for African Americans or the African American male… he is a great role model for the American family.
As African Americans, President Obama has instilled in us a sense of achievement. I, like many others, never thought during my lifetime we would have a Black President. Not only did we have a Black President… we had a great president! Faced with fierce opposition from day one he was still able to divert the impending Bush Depression, lead the Country out of financial ruin, strengthen the middle class, and fight poverty all while improving America’s image around the world.
For decades to come, beautiful Images of President Obama, Michelle, Malia and Sasha will be the most enjoyed and popular images of Black Pride.
Compton City Councilwoman Tana McCoy
Barack Obama, the first African-American President of the United States legacy should reflect his efforts in saving the country from a major economic crash and thus, forging a robust economic recovery which subsequently vaulted the economic markets and job growth, including saving General Motors and other industries. Additionally, a major healthcare program was created; the Affordable Care Act, which expanded health coverage which currently serves millions of Americans; a Climate Change Agreement amongst various countries including China, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals for undocumented immigrants and a host of other significant actions. What I find most profound from his presidency is that he, many times, had to act boldly and singularly, in spite of total and consistent opposition from the Republican Party, whose sole mission was to make him a one term president. Above all, President Obama’s legacy will ultimately prove that he is a living embodiment of American exceptionalism, as he demonstrated that effective governing requires discipline, careful deliberation and the willingness to make hard and imperfect decisions without being impulsive or cavalier. In the final analysis, he truly was a transformative president.
Compton City Councilwoman Emma Shariff
The election of President Obama allowed us to break the glass ceiling that’s been in place for centuries. In spite of the hatred displayed by politicians and American Citizens, President Barack Obama overcame this behavior and preserved to end the 2008 Financial Recession and enacted The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 significantly changing healthcare in the United States.
Over the past 8 years, President Obama showed us that all things are possible and we must press forward towards the prize for the people of these United States of America.
Compton Unified Board President Satra Zurita
“President Obama is a transcendent figure in American politics. He is forever the symbol that anyone can become President. It’s what makes America a country where literally anything can happen if you work hard enough.
But he has been more than an inspiring symbol. He saved the country from economic ruin, kept the country safe and reminded us always that we—all of us–can do better.
As an African American I couldn’t be prouder of him. As an American I’m glad we’ve had him running things the last eight years. We will miss him!”
George McKenna, LAUSD District 1
“We are grateful to have witnessed the dignity, integrity, diplomacy, and humility that President Barack Obama demonstrated throughout out his tenure as Commander in Chief. It is my hope that young men of color will see Mr. Obama as a role model and strive to emulate the values that he embodies as a public servant, husband and father.”
LAUSD Superintendent Michelle King
“Throughout their historic tenure in the White House, President Obama and the First Lady embodied one of the most fundamental lessons we strive to teach students every day. With perseverance, integrity, courage, and boundless optimism, everyone – regardless of background or identity – can realize any dream, achieve any goal, and inspire others to create a more loving and equitable world.”
