Ten years ago when Barack Hussein Obama signalled his intent to contest the Democratic Party presidential nomination, with his eyes set on becoming what is considered the world’s most powerful politician, his ambition was viewed with scepticism by many.

Obama represented many things the American society and world felt were improbable. He was African-American, coming up against the formidable Clinton political machinery, where Hillary Clinton too was contesting the nomination. He was young and wet behind the ears, a politician with no significant experience or national fame, other than a speech at the 2014 Democratic Convention. He had all the makings of an upstart and probably the only conviction presented to the world was his catchy and resonating slogans:- Yes we can, Hope, Change and Believe.

But this was the man who went on to confound his challengers. He drew the admiration of people from across the spectrum, home and abroad, held us spell bound as he toppled stereotypes and myths, and some who questioned their abilities causing them to believe that they too can be what they want to be.
His first victory came in winning the nomination. This did not come without challenges as seen in his confrontation with the party in arguing the point that the will of the ordinary voters (which he secured) takes primacy over the super-delegates, where a significant amount was already pledged to his main challenger, Clinton.

When the primary was over he set about mending internal fences and his eyes on winning the presidency. He united the party around his ideals, mended the contention fight with Clinton, who not only became one of his main surrogates, but also his Secretary of State (equivalent to Foreign Affairs Minister). Joe Biden, who was also a challenger, became his vice presidential pick.

On 4th November, 2008, Obama and Biden were elected President and Vice President of the USA and again on 7th November 2012. The 2008 victory came 40 years after Rev Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, 45 years after his famous “I Had a Dream” speech, where hope was held that persons would be judged by the content of their character, not by the colour of their skin. That victory came 43 years after the Voting Rights Act where universal adult suffrage came to a society.

Having won the elections by the sheer sense of a campaign beautifully executed and a people inspired to look past his skin and to the content of his character, the issue of race dogged him from his campaign and through his presidency. His successor, Donald Trump, entered the political limelight by seeking to delegitimise him, hinting that he may not have been born in the USA, which that society felt carried strong racial undertones. Then there was the Tea Party movement and some Republicans in Congress who did not accept his legitimacy to govern.

Obama was judged for what was considered offensive racial comments of his pastor, Jeremiah Wright, whom he not only distanced himself from, but turned the incident into an opportunity to address racial tensions in the society. There was also the issue of the publicised so-called beer summit, where without having all the information on an incident relating to a renowned black Harvard University Professor, he expressed his opinion, subsequently revealed to be pre-matured, and brought in the parties (white police officer and black professor) along with Biden to mend fences.

As a black man this aspect of Obama’s presidency would forever resonance. For what he exemplified is the strength of character to stand up and be identified for who he was and not run from the issue of race and racism but confronted these not only in acknowledging them, but also lending his thoughts and political muscles to the public discourse in addressing and bringing about equality.

When you look in our society there is notable dissimilar approach by the political leadership though there remain many similarities with the two societies in this regard. Some seek escape by positioning any public conversation or identification to race as offensive or to be identified as black as demeaning. Where leaders are not prepared to give leadership to these issues, race will always be exploited for self-serving purposes, racism will prevail, and denial of equal share to the nation’s pie justified.

Globally Obama lead fearlessly. He revisited estranged USA relations and the wisdom of maintaining such in light of changed times as seen in Cuba and attempted to re-set relations with Russia. On the wars that he sought to wind down those in Iraq and Afghanistan, he lent the impression that the USA can establish relations with others and resolve conflicts without having to go to war. One sense too as a matter of foreign policy, though I disagree with continued drone attacks that have not spared the innocent, that such was driven as a matter of national interest to reduce the number of USA soldiers’ boots and casualties on the ground and as cost saving measures.

In governance Obama has set a bar, which I hope will be continued for the good of humankind, where he insisted on governance built on rights and the rule of law, a campaign the Guyana Trades Union Congress has been waging since 2001. It is his conviction, of which the wisdom cannot be denied, that when these universal principles are upheld they augur well for improved human relations, equality, growth and development, and reduction of poverty and corruption. This was one of his administration’s clarion calls when any representative, including him and Biden, travelled abroad or served in international institutions such as the United Nations.

Obama played a shrewd and compelling politics and what makes it even more outstanding is his decency and belief in the ability of man to respect his fellowman and treat each other with dignity. Throughout his terms while he demonstrated that he did not have to compromise his core beliefs he could treat foes and friends with dignity and respect. His is a legacy the world will continue to discuss, but it is hoped such also translates to others taking up the baton and we who have been positively impacted by it continue to give legs to it.
Come Friday, 20th January at 12:00 p.m. he hands over the reins of government to Donald Trump.