#ObamaFarewell: We thank Barack Obama as we welcome in Donald Trump

#ObamaFarewell has trended for days now as people all over the world tried to cope with the fact that he was leaving. And today, the day came. Today, President Barack Obama, who governed the United States of America for eight years steps down. Did he fulfil all the promises he made? Not at all. Some say he simply did not have the bottle for it. Others claim he was a mere puppet politician like all the rest of them. And yet others believed he was thwarted on every side by the Republicans. What cannot be disputed, however, is that he was much loved and will be sorely missed!

And Michelle! If anything, I would say that Black people warmed to Michelle Obama more as time went on and we gave her husband all sorts of passes for that reason. Steering the Obama Enterprise, she worked with her husband to avoid scandal, rumours or bad press. They were never found wanting or in compromising situations.

The Audacity of Hope

More than anything else, the Obamas rewrote the narrative for Black people. We are not all corrupt and lacking a moral compass. We can turn up, show up, be there, be on time and deliver. And do it with class, strength and dignity. Even as we say #ObamaFarewell, we must never forget the pride they instilled in us; the lessons they made us want to instill in our children; and the ability to go high when they go low.

Thank you. The Black Race thanks you. Our children thank you. History will remember you well.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr Trump: the 45th President of the United States

Whether you voted for him or not, regardless of your feelings about Mr Trump, he will be sworn in today as the 45th president of the United States of America. Some mourn as though someone has literally died; others rejoice over this new dawn, this new opportunity to “Make America Great Again”.

I think I have made my feelings on Trump and an election of this man very clear on this platform. This is therefore not the time to get all militant about this issue. All I will say is: what will be will be. And as Kendrick Lamar sang:

We gon’ be alright
Do you hear me, do you feel me? We gon’ be alright

Welcome to the White House, Mr Trump. Don’t fuck it up.