Black Twitter has won so much this year already, that we know great things are in store for 2017. Now, we know it may not look or feel like it. After all, we lost a lot in 2016: Natalie Cole, Maurice White, the oldest living Tuskegee Airman, Phife Dawg, Prince, Herb Kent, Doug Banks, the list goes on and on.
But if we haven’t learned anything else from Barack Obama as our President, we’ve learned that hope always rises to the top. Not because it’s some ethereal, far-in-the-distance goal, but because we have the ability to create a new hope within ourselves every single day. It’s that power in the face of terrorism, that boldness, that audacity, that allows us to rise every single day. It’s a power that he reminded us in his final request to us as the leader of the Free World:
Thank you for everything. My last ask is the same as my first. I’m asking you to believe—not in my ability to create change, but in yours.
— President Obama (@POTUS) January 11, 2017
For that, Obama, we thank you. And for what could be its final act during the Obama Era, Black Twitter, sent out the coolest and smartest President we’ve ever known with some of the most sincere and honest posts we’ve ever seen.
Click here to order your copy of EBONY’s President Obama Commemorative Issue
YALL WILL PUT THIS MAN IN E-VER-Y HISTORY BOOK pic.twitter.com/5ViV1NQutN
— ashton (@Ashtroo) January 11, 2017
When now only your lambo is blue pic.twitter.com/Y8RZU4fadK
— Better than Mcgloin (@ThatCaliSigma) January 11, 2017
Farewell President Obama. You made history and changed lives. Because of you, many of us now know that WE CAN! Thank you @POTUS
— Amber Patrice Riley (@MsAmberPRiley) January 11, 2017
Me in 2017-2020: Man I love President Obama
Someone: Don’t you mean President Tru-
Me: Man I loVE PRESIDENT OBAMA #ObamaFarewell ????
— Kait ???? (@itzzkait) January 11, 2017
I must say. I am filled with gratitude for President Obama. He was not perfect but he was a very good president.
— roxane gay (@rgay) January 11, 2017
The gift and curse of President Obama is that he seems to have always genuinely believed that the world was better than it seems to be.
— Casey Gerald (@CaseyGerald) January 11, 2017
There’s a big lump in my throat. Watching President Obama’s farewell address inspires me to never give up on your dreams. #YESWECAN!
— Donna Brazile (@donnabrazile) January 11, 2017
At #PresidentObama‘s door like…. #PleaseDontLeaveUs #Obamafarewell #FarewellObama pic.twitter.com/Hz04gRouVl
— BlackAmericaWeb.com (@BlackAmericaWeb) January 11, 2017
HOW am I going to accept Trump as my president after President Obama, huh? #ObamaFarewell pic.twitter.com/EG6C6n0GqJ
— ᴅᴏʟʟᴀʀ (@callmedollar) January 11, 2017
To see President Obama choke up as he talks about the First Lady and his daughters, brimming with pride, wiping tears, a true farewell.
— Trymaine Lee (@trymainelee) January 11, 2017
America when President Obama finishes this speech and tries to leave the podium. #ObamaFarewell pic.twitter.com/bdYmn3KGEY
— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) January 11, 2017
President Obama: “If something needs fixing then lace up your shoes and do some organizing”
Me: pic.twitter.com/pz4YdXs59T
— k a y. (@TheMavsQueen) January 11, 2017
Me watching President Obama speak. pic.twitter.com/4EUT3AwAGB
— Gabby SidiBae (@GabbySidibe) January 11, 2017
President Obama is the only president we acknowledge #ObamaFarewell #OneLastTime
— Black Girl Nerds (@BlackGirlNerds) January 11, 2017
And of course, the greatest sendoff of all came from his wife, Michelle Obama.
So proud of @POTUS and all that we’ve accomplished together. An incredible journey filled with remarkable people. I love you Barack. -mo pic.twitter.com/TFUN3GDLyz
— The First Lady (@FLOTUS) January 11, 2017
Melissa Kimble is the Senior Social Media Manager for the EBONY brand. An advocate for Black Creatives via #blkcreatives, you can connect with her on Twitter at @Melissa_Kimble.
Read an excerpt from EBONY’s President Obama Commemorative Edition here.
Click here to find out where you can purchase EBONY’s President Obama Commemorative Issue