Revisiting the Last Era of U.S. Class and Grace: Obama’s Presidency
MAGA, who? America was great then.
Let’s flashback to the night of November 4, 2008. Americans anxiously waited for the election results to see who would be the next U.S. president — Democrat Barack H. Obama or Republican John McCain. This election was a big deal. I was a freshman in high school, and I remember talking with friends about how cool it would be to have a Black president for the first time. When it was announced that Obama won the election, Americans across the country, including myself, were shocked but for once, we were full of hope. Finally.
Part of my excitement had to do with how and where I grew up. I’m a Latina, a native Spanish speaker, and a first-generation American born and raised in North Bergen, New Jersey, nestled in the heart of Hudson County. If you’ve never heard of or been to Hudson County, the best way I can describe it is as an urban area that shares many similarities with New York City’s culture. It’s the smallest and most densely populated county in New Jersey, consisting of 12 municipalities, many of which face the Hudson River, including North Bergen, Hoboken, and Jersey City. Growing up in uptown North Bergen meant having the best of both worlds: the iconic NYC skyline as your backyard and the tranquility of the suburbs just a 20-minute drive away.
The two best things about growing up in Hudson County are the food and the people, and it’s because there’s so much diversity. Being surrounded by people of color from all walks of life shaped how I see the world. It’s something I’m deeply proud of and grateful for as it instilled in me a profound passion and respect for culture. It wasn’t until I grew up and became a journalist, realizing how non-diverse this field can be, that I truly came to appreciate the richness of my upbringing and environment.
I attended North Bergen High School. Our class was incredibly diverse, mainly made up of Latinos/Hispanics, Asians, Arabs, Black, mixed-race students, and members of the LGBTQ+ community, alongside straight classmates. Our faculty was just as rich in diversity, representing a variety of ethnicities, backgrounds, religions, and genders, including Latinos, Muslims, Caucasians, Black educators, and even one transgender teacher.
So, for my teenage self, seeing that someone like me and my peers could one day grow up to become President of the United States meant everything and more. It showed us that we didn’t have to limit ourselves — that we could stay true to who we are and still believe in the possibility of achieving our dreams. Representation truly matters, especially when you’re a kid who’s never felt enough because you’re a “minority” and have only seen white people as the face of grand success.
Now, let’s fast forward to our current reality. On January 20, 2025, Donald J. Trump was sworn in as President of the United States for the second time. For his supporters, it was a day of celebration. For many others, it was a living nightmare.
I’m not going to dive deep into politics, policies, or any of that because this isn’t that kind of article. Instead, I want to focus on America’s fall from grace after Trump’s rise to power and why Obama’s presidency marked the last time the United States embodied class, honor, and respect — and it all comes down to one thing: a leader’s character.
I’ve always believed that when you’re in any leadership role, your character is the most important thing. Why? Because you have influence and power; your actions shape those around you and those who come after you. Your manners and the way you treat people who can’t do anything for you say everything about the kind of person you are. And it’s why I’ve always had immense respect for Obama. Sure, it was a perk that he’s a person of color who against all odds earned such a powerful title — twice. But what won me over about his presidency is his ability to carry himself with grace and dignity, something Trump has never done. And that’s why I believe the United States was a better place when Obama was in power.
In 2025 we have a criminal president for the first time in U.S. history. Trump is a convicted felon who’s faced 34 criminal charges and on May 30, 2024, he was found guilty of all 34 counts. Beyond this, Trump has been accused of rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment, and has consistently degraded people of color, women, and members of the LGTBQ+ community. He has openly dismissed basic human rights, labeled global warming a “hoax,” and disregarded scientific evidence that affects our planet’s future regarding climate change. Despite all of this, millions of Americans still voted for him.
The American presidency is meant to be a position of integrity and leadership — a role model for others. What does it say about our future when such behavior is not only accepted but rewarded? The most dangerous aspect of Trump’s presidency is the normalization of unethical behavior. His supporters, emboldened by his actions, no longer feel the need to hide their disregard for decency or justice. If the President of the United States can act this way and escape accountability, it sends a message: unethical and corrupt behaviors are excusable if you’re wealthy and powerful. But if you’re poor or target the rich, you will be harshly punished.
Trump’s presidency exposes an uncomfortable truth about America’s past and present: a society where wealth often outweighs morality, and where the lives of those without power or privilege are undervalued. Supporting Trump today signals a dangerous shift — a willingness to embrace disrespect and corruption, provided it benefits those at the top.
However, during Obama's presidency, things weren’t nearly as bad. Compared to how divided, scary, hopeless, and dangerous the U.S. has become, 2009 to 2016 felt like the golden years. And then, everything changed. Going from Obama to Trump was shocking. America is in her confused era. It’s like she broke up with this amazing man because the circumstances didn’t permit them to stay together, and now she’s on and off with this toxic frat bro all her friends hate. Girl, this is cringe. Get it together.
All jokes aside. I’m not saying Obama was a perfect president as there is no such thing as one. Presidents are deeply flawed, and how can they not be? It’s one of the toughest jobs in the world. They’re under a crazy amount of stress, continuously learning and studying, watched under a microscope, constantly pulled in different directions by all sorts of advisors, always hated on, and they don’t always get the final say on big decisions — congress, other branches, and entities do. So whenever I vote, I always keep two things in mind depending on the candidates: “Who has the best character?” or “Who’s the lesser of two evils?” To me, Obama was a class act during his two terms, not only for how he carried himself but also for what he symbolized to the American people: Hope.
Keep scrolling for Obama’s contribution to a more graceful America.
Obama is eloquent and articulate.
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Obama is an exceptionally gifted speaker. He knows when to be serious and he knows when to crack jokes. He’s extremely bright — book smart and emotionally intelligent — well-spoken, charismatic, and compassionate, especially when he delivers a speech. This quality is invaluable in a leader because a great speaker can truly resonate with people, building trust and inspiring them to follow. When people feel understood and motivated, they’re more likely to embrace change and make a meaningful impact. Whether or not you agree with his politics, it’s impossible to deny the emotional power and inspiration his speeches evoke.
United we stood.
Obama’s first inauguration on January 20, 2009, stands out as one of the most inspiring and memorable days in recent American history. With an estimated 1.8 million attendees — the largest crowd ever recorded at a U.S. presidential inauguration — it was a moment of unity and celebration, drawing together American citizens, entertainers, singers, actors, and politicians alike.
Two days before the inauguration, a star-studded lineup of musical artists, including Beyoncé, Stevie Wonder, Jon Bon Jovi, Mariah Carey, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, Shakira, Sheryl Crow, Mary J. Blige, Usher, and U2, took the stage at the We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration concert, as shown in the video below. The event also featured a range of celebrities — such as Jack Black, Tom Hanks, Jamie Foxx, Tiger Woods, Queen Latifah, Steve Carell, Rosario Dawson, and Denzel Washington — who contributed by reading iconic historical passages.
Obama is respectful and honorable.
Humility is often overlooked, yet it is truly a remarkable quality for anyone to possess. Unfortunately, when some people reach the top, they forget the importance of remaining humble and treating others with respect. But that’s never been the case for Obama. From the start, he’s consistently spoken with admiration about his wife, former First Lady Michelle Obama, and their daughters, Malia and Sasha Obama. There’s something deeply endearing to Americans about a leader who is also a devoted family man.
What sets Obama apart, though, is that he extends this same level of respect and attention to everyone he meets. Take, for example, the story of an American soldier who initially didn’t like Obama. After meeting him, his perspective completely shifted. The soldier recalled, "Obama came out, and I’m not a fan of his policies or anything whatsoever. I’m not a fan of him at all. But I will tell you this — he greeted and shook everyone’s hand in that room, and there were a lot of people. He went to every single person ... Regardless of what B.S. you’re involved with, I was like, ‘That’s cool.’” He continued, “When we went to the hangar to offload the C-17s with all these caskets, [with the] flag draped, [Obama] stood at a hand salute, a very crisp one, the whole time. That dude did not move and we were going on like three days with no sleep. We’re sitting down because we’re exhausted, our backs are killing us from the pain of just operating and the dude did not move … for 45 minutes.”
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Respect was given, not earned.
Once upon a time, politicians from different parties could engage with each other civilly. However, since Trump’s first presidential term in 2017, it's become increasingly rare to see Democrats and Republicans share mutual respect or speak kindly of one another. Much of this shift can be attributed to Trump’s divisive rhetoric, which often includes belittling his opponents and engaging in childish behavior, as seen below.
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Before Trump’s influence, political rivals maintained a level of decorum. Campaigns and debates were focused on respectful discourse, with an emphasis on educating the public rather than personal attacks. A prime example of this was during the 2008 presidential campaign when McCain publicly defended Obama against false accusations and racist attacks, demonstrating a commitment to civility that has become all too rare today. At a town hall-style campaign a woman told McCain, “I do not believe him. I do not trust Obama. I have read about him, and he’s … an Arab.” McCain shook his head, taking her mic away, and said, “No ma’am. He’s a decent family man [and] citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues. That’s what this campaign is all about.”
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When McCain passed away in 2018, Obama spoke fondly of him at his funeral. Obama said in his eulogy: “President Bush and I are among the fortunate few who competed against John at the highest levels of politics. He made us better presidents. Just as he made the Senate better. Just as he made this country better. So, for someone like John to ask you, while he's still alive, to stand and speak of him when he's gone, is a precious and singular honor.”
Surprisingly, we recently caught a glimpse of that civility at Trump’s inauguration when his youngest son, Barron Trump, 18, made a point to extend a handshake to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, demonstrating a level of respect and manners opposite of his father.
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Maybe, just maybe, there’s still hope for future generations.
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Thank you so much for reading. If you want to continue supporting my writing, please subscribe, like/comment, and share this article with others. <3 — Jenn