Well, today is the day. The final day of President Barack Obama’s time in the White House and as the head of the United States of America. For many of us, it’s a bittersweet day, but we cannot let our sadness get in the way of his next steps. Earlier today, President Obama tweeted his farewell to the American people and also announced a new website.
It’s been the honor of my life to serve you. You made me a better leader and a better man.
— President Obama (@POTUS) January 20, 2017
I won’t stop; I’ll be right there with you as a citizen, inspired by your voices of truth and justice, good humor, and love.
— President Obama (@POTUS) January 20, 2017
Obama’s new website, Obama Foundation, begins with a “next step” video featuring Barack and Michelle Obama before continuing to the main page. The website has a request form for scheduling events as well as a page for fundraising.
I’m still asking you to believe – not in my ability to bring about change, but in yours. I believe in change because I believe in you.
— President Obama (@POTUS) January 20, 2017
Obama’s tweets call for unity and reflection. More than 50 Democratic lawmakers have taken that call for unity and channeled it into their boycott of today’s inauguration, citing Russia’s meddling with the 2016 election process.
Obama’s farewell letter, published yesterday (January 18), thanked the American people and urged them to take part in “daily acts of citizenship.” This could be as simple as joining your school’s debate team or as active as marching on Capitol Hill and demanding progress.
“Before I leave my note for our 45th president, I wanted to say one final thank you for the honor of serving as your 44th,” Obama wrote in his letter. “Because all that I’ve learned in my time in office, I’ve learned from you. You made me a better president, and you made me a better man.”
With today’s dawn, we enter a new chapter in American history, but we must never forget where we have been. To quote Uncle Ben Parker, “With great power comes great responsibility.”