barack-obama

It's easy to forget what it's like having a head of state who cares about the educational advancements of the American people. As summer comes to a close, former President Barack Obama has graciously given us some his favorite summer reads to carry with us into the new season. “One of my favorite parts of summer is deciding what to read when things slow down just a bit, whether it’s on a vacation with family or just a quiet afternoon," Obama wrote on his Facebook before delving into the chosen literary ones. “This summer, I’ve been absorbed by new novels, revisited an old classic, and reaffirmed my faith in our ability to move forward together when we seek the truth.”1. Educated  by Tara Westover"A remarkable memoir of a young woman raised in a survivalist family in Idaho who strives for education while still showing great understanding and love for the world she leaves behind," Obama describes the book. 2. Warlight by Michael OndaatjeA book set in after WWII, Obama describes Ondaatje's Warlight as "a meditation on the lingering effects of war on family."3. A House for Mr Biswas by V.S. NaipaulA House for Mr Biswas follows author V.S. Naipaul's life growing up in Trinidad and his trials establishing a post-colonial identity.4. An American Marriage by Tayari JonesThe president isn't the only one singing the praises of Jones' An American Marriage. Obama describes the New York Times bestseller as a "moving portrayal of the effects of a wrongful conviction on a young African-American couple."5. Factfulness by Hans RoslingAs an international public health expert, Rosling gives us a hopeful read about how the world can be a better place when humans rely on facts rather than inherent biases.BRB. Hitting up Barnes & Noble. Thank you, Mr. President!Liking this content? Check these out:The Barack Obama and Joe Biden Fan Fiction Thriller Bromance Book We All Needed Has Been Released9 of Joe Biden's Greatest (And Most Shade-Filled) MomentsJust When You Thought All Hope Was Lost, #Obiden Restores Faith In The...

The midterm moment folks have been waiting for is here: former President Barack Obama has officially endorsed a full slate of candidates running in the midterm elections.Our first black POTUS has kept a relatively low political profile since leaving the White House, but now he's stepping back into the spotlight.According to The Daily Beast, Obama selected 81 candidates to give his full support. Among those chosen to receive his blessing include candidates running for both state offices and Congressional seats in California, Illinois, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Texas, Ohio, New York, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada and more. Today I’m proud to endorse such a wide and impressive array of Democratic candidates – leaders as diverse, patriotic, and big-hearted as the America they’re running to represent: pic.twitter.com/gWzalQhFas— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 1, 2018I’m confident that, together, they’ll strengthen this country we love by restoring opportunity, repairing our alliances and standing in the world, and upholding our fundamental commitment to justice, fairness, responsibility, and the rule of law. But first, they need our votes.— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 1, 2018One particularly notable name on the list is Georgia governor hopeful Stacey Abrams, who made history to become the first black woman to win a major party nomination for governor. Her win would make her the first black female governor in history.  Notably absent is New York's rising Democratic star Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.According to Politico, Obama's office confirmed he will begin to campaign in several states this fall and will announce his second round of endorsements prior to the November midterm election. Now, check these out:9 Things To Know About Stacey Abrams, The Woman Who May Become America's First Black Female GovernorState Senator Checks White Privilege Of Her Conservative Co-Panelist Who Called Racism A 'Midterm Pitch'Barack Obama Encourages Kenyans To Overcome Ethnic Divisions In Fourth Visit To The...

Barack Obama and Joe Biden didn't just have a relationship as president and vice president; they were bosom buddies. The pair's shenanigans were a breath of fresh air in the sea of complicated politics, and they never failed to entertain. Now that the two men have some time on their hands, they decided to make an impromptu trip to Dog Tag Bakery in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, July 31, to the surprise of everyone inside, GQ reports. The bakery is so-named because the establishment supports veteran empowerment by employing vets with service-connected disabilities.Look who stopped by @DogTagBakery for lunch today! Thank you @BarackObama and @JoeBiden for supporting our mission of empowering veterans with service-connected disabilities, military spouses, and military caregivers! #BakingADifference #veterans #milspouses #caregivers pic.twitter.com/bLHttsgXJF— Dog Tag Bakery (@DogTagBakery) July 30, 2018The two shared a bit of banter while everyone snapped pics. The bakery staff remained professional and promptly took the order, of course. Speaking of which, we know y'all are curious about what they ate. Well, Barack and Joe ordered ham and gruyere on shallot-jam ciabatta, a slice of mint-basil blueberry cake, brownies and coffee, according to staff member Lolly Rivas.Barack Obama and Joe Biden made a surprise visit to a DC bakery. "We were absolutely stunned to see them!” Lolly Rivas of Dog Tag Bakery says. Their order? Ham and gruyere on shallot-jam ciabatta, a slice of mint-basil blueberry cake, brownies and coffee, Rivas says. pic.twitter.com/XPcQjE4Y4k— CNN (@CNN) July 30, 2018Um, we're now we're hungry AF. Maybe that order should be a special at the bakery from now on. It could be called the "Obiden?" Or perhaps the "Bidama?" Alas, the duo's lunch had folks missing them extra hard!omgg @BarackObama and @JoeBiden just ate lunch together in dc. miss them so much 😩 @DogTagBakery pic.twitter.com/kl4Tf8zO8k— Sara Kenigsberg (@skenigsberg) July 30, 2018The Veep’s look when they said “fennel and carrots” is all of us... https://t.co/jzF7i5cKWx— Josh Campbell (@joshscampbell) July 31, 2018Liking this content? Check these out:The Barack Obama and Joe Biden Fan Fiction Thriller Bromance Book We All Needed Has Been Released9 of Joe Biden's Greatest (And Most Shade-Filled) MomentsJust When You Thought All Hope Was Lost, #Obiden Restores Faith In The...

Now that President Obama no longer sits in the White House, he cares not what his haters think!Judge him, criticize him, hate on him, he's still gon' do him!While speaking at a town hall in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Wednesday, July 18, the coolest POTUS ever spoke his mind concerning the current social climate surrounding our hot mess of a country. The 44th American president gave a profound and noteworthy speech to 200 students at the African Leadership Academy in Johannesburg. “Women in particular ... I want you to get more involved because men have been getting on my nerves lately," Obama said. "Men have been getting on my nerves lately": Former President Barack Obama called for the empowerment of women across Africa, while hosting a town hall in Johannesburg, South Africa https://t.co/w1HY2hR67E pic.twitter.com/9gkWEQ3zZ1— CNN (@CNN) July 18, 2018The Obama Foundation hosted the town hall, HuffPost reports, and he is utilizing this trip to Africa to engage folks on the organization's purpose "to inspire and empower people to change their world."Sounds like he's inspiring women to change the world and motivating men to get their s**t together.Peep the full video below: Liking this content? Check these out: Obama’s ‘Most Important Speech Since Leaving Office' Honored Nelson Mandela — There’s A Reason For That.Obama Was In Kenya Gettin' Down While We Were Stuck Here With The New GuyShe Grew Up In The Projects And Was Honored By Obama. Now Jahana Hayes Wants To Represent Connecticut In...

On Tuesday, July 17, Barack Obama gave what he deemed his "most important speech since leaving office" to tens of thousands of South African residents. The speech was given in honor of Nelson Mandela's centennial birthday, leaving no better time to address issues about which the activist would have indeed spoken out. Taking a look at the deeply rooted connections between South Africa and the United States, the history behind Obama's speech is profound and essential.The speech, titled "Renewing the Mandela Legacy and Promoting Active Citizenship in a Changing World,” specifically looked at divisive politics — a concept deeply rooted in the fabrics of both the U.S. and South Africa.Both countries have used segregationist laws to service white people and disadvantage black people. Before Obama ever dreamed of becoming president, a speech on apartheid got him interested in politics.According to Time, speaking briefly at an anti-apartheid rally in 1981 at Los Angeles' Occidental College was the first thing Obama ever did that involved an issue or a policy or politics. Moreover, the fight for equality in both countries has been more intertwined than some may have realized.“There’s a struggle going on!” he said in his 1981 speech. “It’s happening an ocean away. But it’s a struggle that touches each and every one of us. Whether we know it or not.”In the early 20th century, America became a destination for black South Africans to come and get an education, Time reports. As more South Africans came to America, those still residing in their native country were able to learn about the plights of African Americans. As political, cultural and communal exchange continued between the black populations of both places, the South African government looked to sever ties. As fewer African Americans were able to come into South Africa, apartheid raged into the 1990s.However, the American civil rights movement of the 1960s continued to give hope that a change would come in South Africa.“Black South Africans who couldn’t go to America idealized the African American position on some level, and saw them as racial role models who came out of hundreds of years of slavery and created some type of advancement for themselves — [whether] as sports heroes or writers — despite Jim Crow,” historian Robert Trent Vinson said.Awareness of the political grief in South Africa reached a peak in the 1980s, and apartheid didn't end until Mandela's release from jail (1990) and election as president in 1994. As more Americans learned of what happened in South Africa, the perseverance and him overcoming, there seemed to be a shift in inspiration.“There’s almost a reversal in the historical relationship,” Vinson said. “Now it’s African Americans looking up to black South Africans like Mandela, people who fought to overturn the worst racial domination in [the] world since Nazi Germany and could replace it with a democratic, non-racial society. Mandela becomes this great example for what African-Americans could possibly do. We in America are still trying to work with the idea of multiracial democracy.”That inspiration of South African perseverance seemed to come full circle in Obama’s first political speech after no longer being in the Oval Office."We have to follow Madiba's (Mandela's) example of persistence and hope. It's tempting right now to give in to cynicism. To believe that recent shifts in global politics are too powerful to push back. That the pendulum has swung permanently,” Obama said in his speech. “Just as people spoke about the triumph of democracy in the '90s, now you're hearing people talk about the end of democracy and the triumph of tribalism and the strongman. We have to resist that cynicism because we've been through darker times."Now, check these out:Obama Was In Kenya Gettin' Down While We Were Here Watching The New Guy Commit TreasonBarack Obama Encourages Kenyans To Overcome Ethnic Divisions In Fourth Visit To The CountryHow The Black Twitter Diaspora Reclaimed Winnie Mandela's Legacy From Media's Biased Coverage Of Her...

A crowd of about 15,000 people in Johannesburg, South Africa, stood at attention as the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, honored the life of Nelson Mandela on Tuesday, July 17. The speech was to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Mandela's birth, July 18, 1918. Obama's speech was entitled, "Renewing the Mandela Legacy and Promoting Active Citizenship in a Changing World." "We have to follow Madiba's example of persistence and hope," Obama said according to NPR. "It's tempting right now to give in to cynicism. To believe that recent shifts in global politics are too powerful to push back. That the pendulum has swung permanently. Just as people spoke about the triumph of democracy in the '90s, now you're hearing people talk about the end of democracy and the triumph of tribalism and the strongman. We have to resist that cynicism because we've been through darker times.""Madiba" is Mandela's clan name used to refer to the late leader as an expression of affection and respect. In what appeared to be full shade toward President Donald Trump and his highly-criticized press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Obama also spoke on living in a post-truth, fake news world.Former Pres. Obama: "Unfortunately, too much of politics today seems to reject the very concept of objective truth. People just make stuff up...we see the utter loss of shame among political leaders where they're caught in a lie and they just double down" https://t.co/s4drXPlcRD pic.twitter.com/rn5o4xt9rM— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) July 17, 2018"People just make stuff up. They just make stuff up," he remarked. "We see it in the growth of state sponsored propaganda. We see it in internet fabrications. We see it in the blurring of lines between news and entertainment. We see the utter loss of shame among political leaders where they're caught in a lie and they just double down and they lie some more. It used to be that if you caught them lying, they'd be like, oh man — now they just keep on lying."That last part was a hit with the audience, still reeling from former South African president Jacob Zuma's fall from grace, and the audience laughed in response, CNN reports. As he did in Kenya, Obama also spoke about the dangers of divisive politics."A politics of fear and resentment and retrenchment began to appear, and that kind of politics is now on the move," Obama continued. "It is in part because of the failures of governments and powerful elites to squarely address the shortcomings and contradictions of this international order that we now see much of the world threatening to return to an older, a more dangerous, a more brutal way of doing business."Ultimately, Obama urged progressives to strive for international teamwork and inclusiveness. "We have a better story to tell," said Obama. "But to say that our vision for the future is better is not to say that it will inevitably win. Because history also shows the power of fear."Now, check these out:Obama Was In Kenya Gettin' Down While We Were Here Watching The New Guy Commit TreasonBarack Obama Encourages Kenyans To Overcome Ethnic Divisions In Fourth Visit To The CountryHow The Black Twitter Diaspora Reclaimed Winnie Mandela's Legacy From Media's Biased Coverage Of Her...

It seems that Queen Elizabeth may be the queen of classy shade after she wore a brooch gifted to her by Barack and Michelle Obama as Donald Trump landed in the United Kingdom. According to People, the gesture was likely no accident. The piece was reportedly deemed the "American State Visit Brooch" by the Queen and features 14-karat yellow gold, diamonds and moss agate. The Obamas gave the handpicked gift to the Queen during a visit from in 2011.As a monarch who has sat on her throne for over six decades,  Queen Elizabeth likely has a wide array of brooches from which to choose. However, on the day Trump touched down in the U.K., the American State Visit Brooch was the accessory she decided to complete her look.The Queen's Not-So-Subtle Nod to Obama You May Have Missed During Trump's U.K. Visit. The Queen donned the American State Visit Brooch. The vintage ornament, a small green flower was a gift from former President Barack Obama/First Lady Michelle Obama during a state visit in 2011. pic.twitter.com/IWy7LiWJiT— Debbie (@Dangchick1) July 17, 2018The Queen met with Donald and Melania Trump the following day for what turned out to be a controversial visit. According to The Hill, video footage caught Trump walking in front of the Queen — a gesture widely recognized as disrespectful — which is right on brand for the 45. Furthermore, hundreds of thousands of British protestors were on hand to meet Trump in what has become known as the "Stop Trump March."Beyond the apparent nod to the Obamas, Twitter wasted no time identifying even more possibly shady but subtle antics. According to Twitter user @SamauraiKnitter, the 92-year-old also wore what is believed to be the same brooch her mother wore to her father's state funeral. QE rolled up to tea with the tRUmps wearing the brooch her mother wore to her father's STATE FUNERAL. pic.twitter.com/NjeiP8w1hV— Bitch. STILL my superhero name. (@SamuraiKnitter) July 15, 2018Brooch shade has to be some next level, first-class shade. It's well-known that the Obamas have built a relationship with the British royal family over the years. Prince William, Kate Middleton and Prince Harry hosted the Obamas in 2016, where Harry greeted the FLOTUS with a warm double kiss. Neither Prince William nor Prince Charles was in attendance at the Trump meeting. However, that has been deemed as "protocol," rather than shade by a palace spokesperson. “In line with standard practice for guest of government visits the President was received by The Queen as Head of State. The arrangements were mutually agreed between the Palace and the U.K. and U.S. governments,” the spokesperson told People. “There was never a suggestion that other members of the royal family would take part.”We'll sip our tea (with crumpets, of course) and take their word for it.Liking this content? Check these out:Barack Obama Seemingly Throws Shade At Trump's Love For Lies, Calls For Unity During Speech In South AfricaObama Was In Kenya Gettin' Down While We Were Stuck Here With The New GuySasha Obama Jumping'Round And Rapping 'Drunk In Love' At The 'OTR II' Concert Is Actually Just The Energy We...

As Donald Trump has proven a treacherous and pathetic excuse for an executive office occupant, our president was having a good time in Kenya.Obama visited Kenya for the first time since leaving office to help his half-sister open a sports and training center for her organization, Sauti Kuu, according to The Associated Press.During the opening ceremony, Obama was seen dancing and playing basketball. We’re not sure what dance it was, but he was gettin’ down!Obama dancing in Kenya is the perfect antidote to today pic.twitter.com/mP7WqTTo7Q— NowThis (@nowthisnews) July 17, 2018He also met with Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta and praised him for working with his opposition for the betterment of Kenya.While Obama was promoting diplomacy, Trump stood next to Russian President Vladimir Putin and was a full-blown sellout to the part of the country that held any semblance of faith in him. The pair hosted a press conference where Putin denied Russian involvement in the 2016 election, and Trump stood by him."I have great confidence in my intelligence people. But I will tell you that President Putin was extremely strong and powerful in his denial today," Trump said. "Dan Coats [the director of national intelligence] came to me and some others, they said they think it's Russia. I have President Putin. He just said it's not Russia. I will say this: I don't see any reason why it would be."The move has drawn swift criticism, even from other Republicans like Paul Ryan and John McCain. Despite the backlash, Trump reaffirmed his views on his Twitter page:As I said today and many times before, “I have GREAT confidence in MY intelligence people.” However, I also recognize that in order to build a brighter future, we cannot exclusively focus on the past – as the world’s two largest nuclear powers, we must get along! #HELSINKI2018— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 16, 2018Now, check these out:Donald Trump Can't Keep Jay-Z's Name Out His Mouth So Twitter Had To Gather Him Right QuickTrump Will Turn America Into A 'S**thole' Through His Racist LawsBlack People Traveling Abroad Has Increased Since Donald Trump Took...

In his first trip to Kenya since leaving the White House, Barack Obama spoke with Kenyan officials on Monday, July 16, about the future of Kenya, and his hopes ongoing conflicts will be resolved. The 44th U.S. president gave props to President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga for resolving their differences without resorting to war.  Trouble between the two men reached dangerous heights following last year's disputed election. Protests erupted, resulting 1,200 people being killed.According to Reuters, Obama is especially concerned about tensions between the country's roughly 40 ethnic groups.The former president addressed this concern directly in a speech at the opening of the Sauti Kuu resource center in Kogelo, Kenya alongside his sister, Auma Obama.Mr. Obama and his sibling also celebrated the opening of the Sauti Kuu resource center in Kogelo, Kenya. Kogelo was the birthplace of their father, Barack Obama, Sr.“It means no longer seeing different ethnicities as enemies or rivals but rather as allies; in seeing the diversity of tribes not as a weakness, but as a strength,” Obama said according to NBC News.The center hopes to help people in Kogelo.In his speech, President Obama also criticized corruption scandals, saying he believes this corruption has both hindered economic development and weakened the public's faith in the nation's government.This year's trip to Kenya was his fourth trip, overall. After his Kenya visit, Mr. Obama will head to South Africa to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Nelson Mandela's birth. Now, check these out:Obama Just Gave Us An Africa-Inspired Summer Reading List, And We Have Our Bookmarks ReadyPresidential Election In Kenya Ruled Invalid Due To IrregularitiesCambridge Analytica Scandal Comes To Kenya: Officials Demand Answers After Firm Brags Of Manipulating 2017...

Need some summer book recommendations? Barack Obama is here for you! On Friday, the former POTUS posted his summer reading list (as well as what inspired each pick) on Facebook ahead of his trip to Africa this week. It'll be the first time heading to the continent since he left the White House. Specifically, he'll be touching down in Kenya and South Africa."I've often drawn inspiration from Africa's extraordinary literary tradition," Obama wrote on his Facebook page. "As I prepare for this trip, I wanted to share a list of books that I’d recommend for summer reading, including some from a number of Africa’s best writers and thinkers – each of whom illuminate our world in powerful and unique ways."Obama recommended 6 books in total, including, Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, A Grain of Wheat by Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela, Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, The Return by Hisham Matar and The World As It Is by Ben Rhodes.The list is largely made up of African authors, except for the final one, which is a memoir by Obama's speechwriter Ben Rhodes. Rhodes' book chronicles his time at the White House during the Obama administration.The 44th president is set to deliver the Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture in Johannesburg, South Africa on July 17 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Mandela's birth. Per QZ, Rhodes believes it'll be the most important speech Obama will have delivered since departing the White House. Liking this content? Check these out:Why Barack Obama's Speeches Should Be Taught In SchoolGet A Peek At Young Barack Obama Through The Letters He Wrote To His College Girlfriend17 influential quotes from Nelson Mandela to remember on...