by Jennifer McShane
20th Jan 2017
20th Jan 2017
WASHINGTON - JANUARY 20: U.S President Barack Obama and his wife First Lady Michelle Obama dance on stage during MTV & ServiceNation: Live From The Youth Inaugural Ball at the Hilton Washington on January 20, 2009 in Washington, DC. President Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States today, becoming the first African-American to be elected President of the US. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
Today is a strange and sad day to be a woman; Trump gets sworn in as President of the United States?and with it the depressing reality that misogyny and sexism not only won him the election, he got in because of this. It’s also difficult to grasp that the world will soon have a leader which starkly contrasts everything that the Obamas’ stood for:?unity, progression, joy, love and hope. We’ve been lucky to have them for eight years and on Barack Obama’s last day in the White House, this morning seems the right time to look back at only some of the warm and brilliant moments both he and Michelle have blessed us with. Scroll for a few of our favourites:
“A more perfect?union.”
Before he was elected president, Obama’s stirring speech about race moved millions around the world. It is considered perhaps his greatest rhetorical achievement.
Does your hair feel like mine?
When five-year-old Jacob Philadelphia visited the White House, he came with a question in mind. ?I want to know if my hair is just like yours,? he said, leading Obama to bow down and let him feel for himself. Adorable isn’t the word.
Michelle Obama’s New Hampshire speech
Michelle Obama speeches are?iconic; her words speak to women, for women aiming to inspire, motivate and lift when it seems the tide is forever against us. “Enough is enough,” she said that day. It wasn’t just about us, it was about our others, daughters, sisters and friends standing up for each other and saying “no more.”
When Michelle and Barack danced to Usher
Because they are the epitome of cool.
Go on with yer bad self, President Barack Obama.
Go President, that’s MY President.#ThankYouObama pic.twitter.com/kbFijsw111
? Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) November 16, 2016
Michelle rapping to ask girls to go to college
When FLOTUS spoke at the ?The Power of an Educated Girl?‘she encouraged young women to not only compete with the boys when it came to college education, but to beat them as well. ?There is no boy, at this age, cute enough or interesting enough to stop you from getting an education” She then took the notion one step further with the help of Saturday Night Live comedian Jay Pharoah dropped her first rap video, about how kids (young women and men) should go to college: “If you wanna fly jets, you should go to college. Reach high and cash checks, fill your head with knowledge.”
When they acted out ‘Where The Wild Things Are’ for kids
We’ll never be able to read that story to our kids the same way.
Michelle’s final speech as FLOTUS
?My final message to young people as first lady is simple, don’t be afraid. You hear me. Young people, don’t be afraid. Be focused. Be determined. Be hopeful. Be empowered.”
Barack’s closing words of hope
Thank you for everything. My last ask is the same as my first. I’m asking you to believe?not in my ability to create change, but in yours.
? President Obama (@POTUS) January 11, 2017
What’s been your favourite moment? Tell us in the comments!?