Black Americans are a lot of things, but saying we are scared to fight the oppressor is not one of them. There is no group of people on planet earth who can go band for band with us on that.
Some of y’all come from Black immigrant families and were taught to look down on Black Americans before you ever learned our history. Then you benefit from doors Black Americans fought to open while disrespecting the very people whose struggle helped make those opportunities possible. That conversation is LONG overdue.
It was great joining Njideka Akunyili Crosby — a gifted Nigerian-born, Los Angeles-based artist — to unveil our first portrait together. This piece reflects so many chapters of Michelle and my story, and we’re thrilled that it will be on display in the Hope and Change lobby at the Obama Presidential Center starting this Juneteenth.
Education is SOOOOO00000 IMPORTANT. Degrees. Licenses. Certs. Training classes. Late nights and early morning studying. Weekend and night school. Community college. Don't matter what it takes. JUST DO IT.