Chicago has been given a special gift. Former President Barack Obama selected the city of Chicago for the location of the wonderful Barack Obama Presidential Center. People who live in Chicago have had the privilege of watching this modern marvel come into existence. On Thursday June 18, Chicago and the world had the privilege of witnessing the grand opening of this historic marvel.
The Barack Obama Presidential Center is not a typical presidential library, it is something more, something bigger. It has activities for everyone. Obama had the foresight to encourage the development of multiple activities that can provide hope for the beleaguered inhabitants of our communities as well as serve as a destination for people around the globe. African Americans, in particular, should relish this project, especially during this period of Trumpian hostility.
The Barack Obama Presidential Center represents a beacon of hope to those who are aware of what it offers. It is not a Presidential Library, of sorts; it is a testament to the resilience and optimism of the former president and his wife, Michelle, who gave such a dynamic speech during the opening that people whispered that SHE should run for president!
Unfortunately, there was an incident that has somewhat tarnished Michelle Obamas week. The White House Lawn was taken over by UFC gladiators, and Josh Hokit, a heavyweight fighter, emerged as winner during the event. Unfortunately, and out of the blue, he insulted Michelle Obama during his victory speech during a post-fight interview with Joe Rogan. He decided that it would be a good time to insult the former first lady by calling her a man!!!
The lie that Michelle Obama is a man started years ago. According to those who know, the original culprit was the late comedienne, Joan Rivers. Since then, the rumor has taken on a life of its own! So far, the Obamas have not apparently made moves to sue the wayward gladiator for defamation, who many people assume was encouraged by Donald Trump to sling toxic arrows at the Obamas. The interesting thing is that the Obamas have been out of office for almost 10 years, yet Trump is still holding a grudge against them. Actually, that “grudge” should be more correctly labeled “racism.”
It’s clear to many observers that the Trump administration has less than love for the Black community. The regime is hell-bent on disenfranchising Black people, and it is certain that Michelle Obama is aware of this situation. Years ago, she shared her sentiments about problematic issues with people who are less than hospitable to her; she basically said that “when they go low, we go high.” This is a beautiful sentiment, but more importantly, it bears a certain amount of practicality. It’s a type of “Psycho-logical Judo” wherein a person’s negativity is turned back on them. Trump’s negativity will not bode well for him, but he will have to mature in order to figure this out.
It remains to be seen as to how things related to this slander will turn out. Some people are calling for a lawsuit against Trump, with the assumption that he is the secret provocateur. Whatever the case, we know that Donald Trump tends to respond to some things in an illogical manner. Hopefully, he will change his stripes so that he is no longer a threat to Black people, both here in the United States and around the world. (But don’t hold your breath!)
Once upon a time there was an African American Grand Master Mason who made a prediction. He said that the world will have challenging issues that pit White against red in global skirmishes, and that the Blacks would be the savior in this scenario. Black people are in a position to save the world! That’s an interesting idea, and the Star in our Crown, the Barack Obama Presidential Center, is positioned to help change the tenor of our country if done right!
With that said, Congratulations and God Speed to Barack and Michelle Obama for continued success and for seeking to infuse our world with a liberal dosage of Hope! Aluta continua.
Reprinted from the Chicago Crusader
