Member-only story

From Slavery To The Presidency: The Extraordinary Journey Of Barack Obama

Albert Camus

·19k Followers· Follow

Published in Slavery In America (African American Experience: From Slavery To The Presidency)

5 min read

157 View Claps

17 Respond

Save

Listen

Slavery in America (African American Experience: From Slavery to the Presidency)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	14380 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	81 pages

Barack Obama's journey from slavery to the presidency is an extraordinary tale of resilience, determination, and hope. Born into a family of former slaves, Obama faced countless obstacles throughout his life. But he never gave up on his dreams, and eventually went on to become the first African-American president of the United States.

Obama's story is an inspiration to us all, and it reminds us that anything is possible if we set our minds to it. His journey is a testament to the power of hope, and it shows us that even in the darkest of times, we can always find a way to overcome adversity.

Early Life

Barack Obama was born on August 4, 1961, in Honolulu, Hawaii. His father, Barack Obama Sr., was a Kenyan economist, and his mother, Ann Dunham, was a white American anthropologist. Obama's parents met while they were both students at the University of Hawaii. They married in 1961, but divorced when Obama was two years old.

After his parents' divorce, Obama lived with his mother and stepfather, Lolo Soetoro, in Indonesia. He attended a Catholic school in Jakarta, and he spent his summers in Hawaii with his grandparents. Obama's childhood was marked by poverty and instability, but he was always a bright and curious child.

Education

Obama returned to the United States in 1979 to attend high school in Honolulu. He graduated from Punahou School in 1979, and then went on to study at Occidental College in Los Angeles. After two years at Occidental, Obama transferred to Columbia University in New York City, where he graduated with a degree in political science in 1983.

After graduating from Columbia, Obama worked as a community organizer in Chicago. He also attended Harvard Law School, where he graduated magna cum laude in 1991. After law school, Obama returned to Chicago, where he worked as a civil rights lawyer and a community activist.

Political Career

Obama's political career began in 1997, when he was elected to the Illinois State Senate. He served in the state senate for eight years, and he rose to become the Senate's majority leader.

In 2004, Obama was elected to the United States Senate. He quickly became a rising star in the Democratic Party, and he was considered a potential presidential candidate in 2008.

Obama announced his candidacy for president in 2007, and he quickly became the frontrunner in the Democratic primary. He won the Democratic nomination in 2008, and he went on to defeat Republican candidate John McCain in the general election.

Presidency

Obama was inaugurated as the 44th president of the United States on January 20, 2009. He was the first African-American president of the United States, and his election was a historic moment for the country.

During his presidency, Obama signed into law the Affordable Care Act, which expanded health insurance coverage to millions of Americans. He also oversaw the end of the war in Iraq and the killing of Osama bin Laden. Obama's presidency was marked by both successes and challenges, but he left office in 2017 with high approval ratings.

Legacy

Barack Obama's legacy is one of hope, change, and progress. He is remembered as a president who made history and who worked to make the United States a more just and equitable society. Obama's story is an inspiration to us all, and it reminds us that anything is possible if we set our minds to it.

Image Attributions

* Official portrait of President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama by Pete Souza, White House photographer * Official portrait of President Obama by Chuck Kennedy, White House photographer

Slavery in America (African American Experience: From Slavery to the Presidency)

5 out of 5