Hello to everyone,
In spite of the HISTORICAL event last Tuesday, I have been doing some reading on our new president, Barack Hussein Obama. I am aware that some people don't get the gravity of what just happened so think about it this way, the Jim Crow laws (set of laws that discriminated against African Americans that maintained a segregation between whites and blacks in the South) weren't abolished even 50 years ago and it wasn't until 1957 when we had 9 brave African Americans walk into the halls of an all white high school, enduring racism by their fellow peers. It was such a big deal that they had to be escorted by military soldiers everyday of school to ensure their safety. African Americans were once suppressed and made into slaves and went to centuries of abuse and hatred. Africans were slaves way before Christopher Columbus discovered America (crazy huh?). Now seeing a culture once on its a knees rise up and create a movement is amazing and inspirational. It shows that America has grown from its old ways and has entered the next chapter in history with an open-mind to make a "change we can believe in."
For those that don't know anything about Barack Obama, let me fill you in. Obama was not from a wealthy family, neither did he have both parents by his side. He was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, son to Stanley Ann Dunham, a white woman from Kansas and Luo from Kenya. After a couple of years of marriage they divorced (Obama was 2 years old), his mother remarried and moved to Indonesia. Barack Obama however, by the age of ten, moved back to Hawaii and stayed with his grandparents who raised him from then on. (His mother died of Ovarian Cancer in 1995 and his father died in a car accident in 1982.) Obama attended and graduated from Occidental, Columbia and Harvard University and worked himself up as a community leader to Illinois Senator and now to our very own president.
In "Change we can Believe In", Obama's plans for his presidency are mentioned throughout the book. He has an approach to everything; from the environment to education, and jobs to national security and advancement. I was suprised to read some of his game plans. For example, in order to keep families from further falling into poverty he is planning to give a $500 tax refund per individual and $1000 per couple. My first thoughts were, "Wow, that's going to benefit a ton of people" as well as "Where is that money going to come from?". And the further i read, my question was unanswered up until i started to add things up. He also promises to cease giving people from high classes and corporations tax breaks (which should really reel in a huge amount to contribute to the country). Another approach to deal with poverty is raising the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $9.50 by 2011 (My thoughts: Awesome).
Now, for all of those high school students getting ready for college, you'll love this: Community College will now be free and cover 2/3 of a public college tuition all for the exchange of 100 community service hours (My thoughts: BEST President EVER).
Barack Obama isn't doing such a bad job in the House. So far he has reversed Bush's Anti Abortion Funds to actually allowing abortion (I understand this is a sensitive topic but remember i said that i may be bias? So feel free to argue with me, my standing is "its a woman's choice" not the government's).
I greatly encourage this book to everyone! We, the people, should be informed of what's going on. Its our country and we have the choice to elect the person that represents us as a whole.
Here's a link to the book itself- Change We Can Believe In
I am in love with this music video. Check it out. Yes, We Can by Will.i.am
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10 comments:
I think that the reason why there isn't such big talk about Obama is because we all knew he was going to win, and that there hasn't been any major changes that is visible. Of course in the next year or so, we'll see the change that we believe in, but if it doesn't pull through, there is seriously a jacked up policy the presidents or politics of the United States run with. Abortion is a sensitive topic and I agree with your opinion. Women do have the right to choose because we're all people and we can not make decisions for the public because of a majority rule. Where's the moral in that? Anyways good blog.
It's good to see that we are finally being guided towards the right path. Bush did nothing but dig a large debt hole and now Obama is coming to pull us out. I do wonder though how he is planning to bring us out of this debt with all the money he will be giving away. Hopefully reducing the tax cuts will be enough
Dear Diana,
I am gald that Obama is our new president and the first African American to be president. I am glad that his making changes that will benefit all. I know that he made a lot of promises especially with situations dealing with money. I think that he will be able to keep his promises, but they will take a little longer than what he said because of the economic issues that we are going through right now. I'm glad that there is finally going to be change for and in our country for everyone. Good blog.
Hey Diana,
When the 20th of January came I was really excited. Not only was it my birthday, but also a new change was going to happen that day. When Obama became president elect, every news outlet had said that the U.S had finally done the change that it needed. That now the U.S could really stand up to the image that the U.S is given... the land of opportunity. That the U.S was heading to right path, that no matter what color you are ... you can still have the same opportunity as any other race. When the news said that, i liked it alot.
When he gave his Inauguration speech it was the first time i have seen him so serious and so determined. I like when he was realistic with the changes to come. That the change isn't going to come tomorrow or the next day. That the change takes time and that people shouldn't be depending on Obama and his cabinet to change everything. The change starts with us, that by saving that little bit of electricity by turning off our t.v, or by recycling the water bottle we just drank, we are helping in the right way, that we are doing our part for the good change this great nation really needs. Other than that your blog is freaking sweet. Good Job
I am glad that Obama is our new president. I have just recently heard over Yahoo News that Obama just passed a law that enables women to get paid the same as men in the same job position. I think that this is cool because when i get married, my wife will get more money. Don't you think that's cool. Back then even though a woman had the same job position as a man she'll get paid less, now that has changed and is all thanks to Obama.
I do however fear that he will not last as president. Millions of immigrants hope to get some sort of amnesty and hope that Obama can change that. Now i know that Obama is capable of that, but my fear is that if he helps out millions of immigrants he'll get shot. I have deduce such monstrous notion from historical references such as Kennedy, Lincoln and Martin Luther King. There is always haters and racism will always be omnipresent. We have to remember that the KKK can do anything including the assassination of our new president. Let's just hope that doesn't happen and hope that the years to come is for the better.
It's so hard to believe that we ACTUALLY have a bi-racial president in the white house. And one whose middle name happens to be the last name of our sworn nemesis. (Had to point it out)
Africans (not Americans yet)were slaves before Columbus? I didn't really think that was possible. Wait, who were they enslave to, each other?
I can't believe that you actually read the book. It's so hard to get a copy of it nowaways. Everyone's gone nuts about the man who's going to create change. Amazing.
p.s. wow. really? my every word? So if I tell you that it's better to write with your left foot than your right hand, you'll actually believe me.
Your blog has alot of facts. It is not very interesting. You should start your paragraph witha hook. Well i learn a hook when i was in eight grade. Well what a hook is, is a sentence or sentences that capture the readers attention.For example, is a person from Mexico was reading your blog he could be asking himself. Why should i read about this president? How does in concern me? and more. You could start out with something like the African American culture who made history. Im sure you could think of something more catchy. Well hopefully you use a hook thei is also different names for it aswell.
You have good information. However, i think you could organize it a little better. Yor ideas are all scattered around. You should take five more minutes and try to organized the paragrahs just a little better. They are really good. It could still be even better.
Dear Diana,
I’ve heard of the story about the racist event with the military. I like the usage of language. It’s very effective. I especially love your side comment (opinion, thoughts). I fell more connected with the topic. In your second paragraph I think it shows that we can achieve something great all we need is motivation. When it comes to the change of minimum wage, I think it benefits people having more money. It’s shocking that Community College will be free, but how will this plan work, were really low on money? I agree, with you we can’t decide for others it’s their life, not ours. Obama has also put a weekly video blog and it keeps us all updated on what he’s doing.
Diana,
Not having read the book (but hoping to!) I am confused. Are these policies that he wants to see happen or is this book something "guaranteed"...my guess is that the book is his ideal.
I, too, am curious to see what comes of it.
Diana,
Great blog on our President, I do feel bad for the man though I mean its absolutely the worst period to be president of the United Stats with all the drama and the bad economy. And on top of that having to deal with terrorist attacks, i think in spite of all the bad things the positive thing that came out of this election was that now we know that most of us as citizens of the U.S are color blind and don't look at the color but instead at what they really stand for.
great job,
Diana
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