Reflecting on the Obamas ✍🏾

💭Overall Thoughts

Over the last two weeks, I have made my way through Obama's A Promised Land and Michelle's Becoming (I know they are both Obama, but in my head, Obama is Barack Obama and Michelle is well Michelle Obama!) I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to these books, especially since the Obamas themselves narrated them. The first thing I want to note is that these really are different books with different purposes. A Promised Land is an account of Obama's journey to and through his historical presidency (at least through his first term). It has some personal details, but it is primarily focused on Obama's vision for the world, a journey to manifest those visions, and the existing limitations to their operationalization. So it is political and details concepts beyond just the layman terms "Obamacare and the Great Recession." Between all of this is the occasional rant of frustration Obama feels towards the existing political system. On the other hand is Michelle's Becoming, a more personal memoir chronicling Michelle's life through her time in the White House. It felt deeply personal as I got to know Michelle's neighborhood and upbringing well (I feel like I live on the house on Euclid Ave) while feeling reflective — the issues Michelle faced (poor teachers growing up, white flight, long commutes to school, guidance counselors who diminish you, parents persevering through health issues to provide) were symptoms of the larger American narrative. Past her childhood, navigating higher education, the corporate world, and eventually adulthood, she struggled to figure out one's purpose (both generally and amidst the privilege bestowed in her life). One thing I really liked that tied them together was the retelling of key milestones in their lives but from their perspectives. Two of these milestones are their first encounter and second was Obama's decision to run for the US Senate after a tough loss running for a House of Representatives.

🤔Impressions

With Obama's book, I tried to keep in mind that this was a biased account of history from Obama's perspective. He had the privilege of walking us through his beliefs, intentions, and reasoning behind the decisions he made. Overall though, it's for those same reasons I enjoyed it. Sometimes, it's hard to match a politician's campaign promises and beliefs with actionable results. It was nice to be able to hear this rationale, even if I disagreed with some of it.

With Michelle's since it's a memoir, it is her story. I really liked that she didn't just retell her life's story, but she interspersed it with her reflections about those circumstances and what they might have symbolized.

🤷🏾‍♂️Who Should Read This?

I think these books should be read (or listened to!) by everyone. If you are a young adult feeling cynical about the political state of the US, reading this will definitely add some perspective on the challenges of the system and give some justification for why it is hard to change. Again, I'm not defending anything, but this definitely builds context beyond what we see on social media and the heavily saturated news media. As for Michelle's book, I also think everyone should read it because Michelle felt relatable. She had felt awkward about break-ups before and has taken leaps of faith when she was scared. Overall, it shows that we are always on a journey to improve ourselves — we are always Becoming, whether we're teenagers, young adults, or 54, and leaving the White House.

🔁How They Changed Me?

Have I changed in any way since reading these books?

• I gave a TEDx Talk about aiming to do something in life instead of "becoming" someone. This was because the finite-ness of becoming someone makes for a finite journey (listen to the talk for more thoughts on this). However, in Michelle's Becoming, Becoming is a constant process — a constant uncovering, one with no end in sight. This sort of infinity makes me feel like anything is possible throughout my life, which is exciting.
• Barack's journey began with a passion for improving the world and community organizing. He took a job that paid $12,000 a year so he could help people register to vote. I will be okay regardless of where I start as long as I do what I'm passionate about (also making the world a better place).

📝General Notes and Quotes

Obama's rants about the BP Oil Spill and Climate in A Promised Land were the most relatable expression of frustration in the book. Climate change is upon us, and we have had such shitty practices for our entire history, and we are now paying for them. When a crisis event occurs, some people see it in (or at least only talk about it) as an isolated event instead of a byproduct of decades-long poor decision making (or action).  When this happens, people fail to act to change anything. This same idea can be applied to many aspects of American life — from police brutality and mass shootings to climate disasters and mental health crises.

💻Goodreads Immediate Impressions and Reactions

A Promised Land

Enjoyed this book a lot more than I expected. It's both unbelievable how much goes into the presidency (at the same time it totally makes sense) -- 29 hours of listening and it ends at the end of Obama's first term! Barack and Michelle are such gifted orators and this book was really pretty insightful. First, I like how Obama explains the more topical events (from counterterrorism and foreign affairs to domestic stuff like the Great Recession and ACA). Those events we see on TV (like the news) or at least when I was a child all sounds familiar but for them to be explained so clearly builds so much context. Second, I enjoyed that Obama would also share his learnings from various experiences. Third, I tried to keep as objective a view as I could because this book is from Obama's perspective. When he justifies keeping troops in the Middle East, it's his justification. The implications of that decision and others still exist as history. I think it's important to not treat this work as history itself. Fourth, my favorite parts included Obama's commentary on his vision for this country and people to his rants about how hypocritical and frustrating it is working in politics. I too have similar visions for people - I wish to help create a world where people have the freedom or opportunity to make and live the life they want regardless of their inherent privileges (or lack thereof). I've thought about politics as part of my vision for the future however, this perspective (along with current liberal politicians) are helping me be less cynical about their ability to get shit done.

Overall, I really enjoyed this and I cannot wait for the second book. I think I'm gonna read Becoming soon!

Becoming

Becoming was an extraordinary story of an incredibly ordinary woman, Michelle. By that I mean Michelle was an ordinary young person growing up in Chicago both with everything (parents who cared and were able to provide) and not much (middle class in a historically underfunded neighborhood in Chicago where she attended poor schools, bad teachers, friends deaths and overall inequities). I resonated heavily with her reflection when she asks what led her down this path -- whether it was meeting Barack, saying yes to a relationship with him, or supporting his decision to run for office. It's always funny the paths life leads us down. Besides this, I loved her vulnerability in expressing her fears during Barack's political career. I loved the insights from living in the White House -- from how stifling it was (from losing so much freedom) to worrying about how to raise her children in this environment. I liked when she shared a moment with the Queen bc it's like they both understood each other -- not quite bc they chose this life but yet it here they were. Above this, I am proud of Michelle for not only persevering through this emotional journey amidst the constant scrutiny but also for trailblazing this path for future generations to move with purpose for one another and those behind. This is a story only Michelle could have told and I'm glad she did.