Hisham fakeeh biography of barack obama

He experimented with marijuana and cocaine, and though he had inherited a quick-study intelligence from his father and won admission to the top-flight Punahou School, his grades were inconsistent and his commitment to bodysurfing and basketball was bigger than his interest in school. One of seven or eight black students at Punahou, he found that whites had low expectations when they met him.

Inside, Obama was worried about fitting in and was on the way to developing a classic example of W. DuBois's double consciousness. That coherence was still hard to find at New York 's Columbia Universitywhere Obama transferred as a third-year student. Obama enjoyed New York but found that racial tension infected even "the stalls of Columbia's bathrooms … ," he wrote, "where, no matter how many times the administration tried to paint them over, the walls remained scratched with blunt correspondence between niggers and kikes.

It was as if all middle ground had collapsed. After earning his degree inhowever, Obama responded with activist commitment instead of hedonistic escapism. He wrote to community service organizations all over the United States asking what he could do to help, and he signed on with the one group that replied, a church-based Chicago group doing neighborhood work on the city's economically reeling South Side.

For three years, Obama was a community organizer — a tough job, but one in which he notched accomplishments ranging from job-training programs to a successful attempt to improve city services at the Altgeld Gardens housing project. The biracial outsider gathered with black Chicagoans at a South Side barbershop that he continued to patronize even after he became famous.

Obama applied to Harvard Law School — "to learn power's currency," he wrote in his autobiography. His academic brilliance flowered fully and propelled him to the presidency of the prestigious Harvard Law Review inmaking him the first African American to hold the post, and to a magna cum laude graduation in I've never known anyone with what seems to me more raw political talent.

The couple has two daughters, Malia Ann and Natasha Sasha. Born on August 4,in Honolulu, HI; son of Barack Obama, a Kenyan government economist; raised by mother, a Kansas native; lived with mother in Indonesia as child; raised as teenager in Honolulu by maternal grandparents; married Michelle; children: Malia Ann and Natasha. Religion: United Church of Christ.

Career: Community organizer, Chicago, ; civil rights attorney, Chicago, ; University of Chicagolecturer, early s; Illinois State Senator, ; U. Senator, —. Addresses: Office — U. Obama passed up job offers from Chicago's top law firms to practice civil rights law with a small public-interest law office and to lecture at the University of Chicagoholding the latter position until he ran for the U.

He jumped into politics by chairing a voter-registration drive that helped carry Illinois for Democratic presidential candidate Bill Clinton inand his political ambitions became clearer when he turned down a chance to apply for a tenure-rack University of Chicago professorship. When an Illinois state senate seat in his home South Side district came open inhe ran and was elected.

In the Illinois senate Obama was noted for legislation to curb racial profiling and for a bill that mandated the videotaping of police interrogations carried out in death-penalty cases. Despite his varied background, Obama identified himself as black. So if that's my identity when something bad happens, then that's my identity when something good happens as well.

House of Representatives in the Democratic primary against entrenched South-Side congressman Bobby Rush, a former Black Panther, he suffered from a perception that he was an exotic, elite outsider and was trounced by a two-to-one margin. South Side residents including Rush rallied around Obama during his next try for higher office, however.

Hisham fakeeh biography of barack obama

Obama put together an unusual coalition of blacks, "lakefront liberal" white Chicago voters, and downstate supporters to win the primary with a convincing outright majority of 53 percent. His victory was partly attributable to a fervent corps of volunteers who worked on his campaign, many inspired by Obama's early and unequivocal opposition to the Iraq war and by other unrepentant liberal positions.

You can't find enough for them to do. Then came Obama's Democratic National Convention speech, which Time called "one of the best in convention history. All I was really trying to do was describe what I was hearing on the campaign trail, the stories of the hopes, fears, and struggles of what ordinary people are going through every day. On the campaign trail Obama shone as he showed an ability to connect with voters across class, racial, and geographic lines.

Working-class black Chicagoans, highly educated professionals and academics, and small-town business owners all felt that they had encountered one of their own when Obama gave a speech in their neighborhoods. The Illinois Republican party floundered as its anointed candidate, Jack Ryan, struggled with allegations that he had forced his ex-wife, television actress Jeri Ryan, to visit sex clubs with him against her will.

Ryan eventually dropped out of the race and was replace by Alan Keyes, an ultraconservative black radio commentator from Maryland who had previously criticized New York Senator Hillary Clinton for moving to that state solely for the purpose of running for the Senate. Obama won in a landslide, garnering seventy percent of the vote and spending much of his time in the final phases of the campaign stumping for Democratic candidates in neighboring states.

Beginning with the Democratic convention speech, talk began to swirl around Obama suggesting that those who had heard him speak at this early stage in his career had been looking at the man who would become the first African-American president of the U. Obama contributed nothing to such speculation, and many of his early hisham fakeeh biographies of barack obama regarding his intentions for his Senate term focused on the problem of Illinois's declining job base.

Yet few could doubt that the state that had produced Abraham Lincoln was now home to another figure able to exert a powerful healing force to the nation's still-gaping racial wounds. Manheim, James " Obama, Barack. Manheim, James "Obama, Barack. Barack Obama appeared on the national political ' scene in and brought with him a renewed sense of unity and focus regarding the needs of all Americans and in particular African Americans.

Steeped in a complex racial hisham fakeeh biography of barack obama, Obama embraces all those aspects of mixed race origins which influence who he is, while being fully aware of the blessings and challenges that come with his heritage. He wrote his autobiography which was prompted by his selection as the first African American editor of the Harvard Law Review.

A community activist, he served as an Illinois State senator for seven years, and later as the only African American senator in the th United States Congress. His skillful speech at the Democratic Convention and his call for all Americans to unite brought speculations about his national political future. Some envisioned him as the first African American U.

Obama Jr. The family began to deteriorate when the elder Obama won a scholarship to Harvard to earn a Ph. Since the funding was not enough to support his family, he had to go alone. After completing his Ph. The couple determined it was best to divorce. The elder Obama continued to write to his son and remarried, adding more siblings to share the family name.

He came to see his son only once, before he died in an automobile accident in Kenya in On an extended holiday when Obama was ten, his father briefly shared his life. In the years after his parents' divorce, Obama and his mother remained in Honolulu. Even though his grandparents did not cater to racist ideas and sought to protect him, Obama still chose to call himself Barry.

His given name Barack means "blessed" in Swahili, but he chose a name that would allow him to fit in. In an environment of only seven or eight African American students in his school, this was important. Obama, in his autobiography Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritancewrites about being puzzled by his grandparents' resistance to racism.

He was simply told by his grandmother, "your grandfather and I just figured we should treat people decently, Bar. That's all. Although their openness secured him in many ways, he came to understand himself as a person of mixed heritage. In when Obama was six years old, his mother remarried and the family moved to Djakarta, Indonesia. When Obama was ten, he returned to Honolulu where he had better educational opportunities.

He earned a place at Punahou School, a very prestigious school, and initially lived with his grandparents. He later lived with his mother and sister once they returned to Honolulu. Obama's teenage years were troubled because of his confused sense of identity. He experimented with drugs and gave more attention to basketball and bodysurfing than to academics.

He was a black man within the school's small minority population, and the expectations regarding his success were low. As he stated in his memoirs, Dreams from My Fatherpeople were quite satisfied that he did not move or speak too loudly, "Such a pleasant surprise to find a well-mannered young black man who didn't seem angry. As a young adult Obama moved to the mainland.

From Hawaii to Columbia, Obama found that racial tension infected the environment. By this time he came to know that activism was the way to effect change. He graduated in from Columbia University in political science with specialization in international relations. He spent a year in the financial sector, while writing letters to community service organizations all over the United Statesasking what he could do to help.

Obama moved to Chicago and went to work with a church-based group that focused on the city's economically troubled neighborhoods. He became a community organizer in the Alt-geld Gardens housing project on the south side of Chicago. Various experiences caused a change in his thinking and he became a Christian. Obama joined the Trinity United Church of Christ.

This honor is bestowed on a law student who demonstrates exceptional academic abilities, excellent writing and editing skills, and strong leadership qualities. As a result of this work Obama was offered a publishing deal for a book about his life, which was to include optimistic messages regarding the racial situation in the United States. After graduating from Harvard Law School, magna cum laude, inObama wrote his autobiography, which was published in and re-released in Robinson, who also graduated from Harvard Law school, and Obama were married in Passing up an opportunity from a top Chicago law firm, Obama decided to practice civil rights law with the small public-interest law firm Miner, Barnhill and Galland.

He also became a lecturer of constitutional law at the University of Chicago. Continuing his role as activist, Obama took on the management of a statewide hisham fakeeh biography of barack obama registration drive as director of the Illinois Project VOTE. The aggressive organizational plan that Obama helped develop was effective in registering overvoters.

In Obama stepped into the political ring. His goals were clear as he turned down a chance to apply for a tenure-track teaching position at the University of Chicago. Obama, who identifies himself as an African American, ran for Illinois state senator from Hyde Parkthe thirteenth legislative district. His work in the community and his role as a professor and civil rights lawyer set the tone for a successful election.

As state senator, he served as chairman of the Public Health and Welfare Committee, passed bills to increase funding for AIDS prevention and care, and introduced legislation to curb racial profiling. Working-class people and those issues that impact the quality of their lives were key concerns for Obama. In Obama ran unsuccessfully for the first Congressional district against incumbent Bobby Rush, a former Black Panther.

Criticism regarding Obama during his unsuccessful run centered on his biracial background and his having been too associated with the ivy league in essence, not black enough. His autobiography is the source for these comments from the community. He hoped his book would show the process of self-awareness and the fact that mistakes and challenges can be overcome.

Obama continued in the role of state senator until The debate on his background subsided and the stage was set for future political opportunities to aid the African American community and the community at large. He was supported by South Side residents as well as Bobby Rush. His victory was attributed to volunteers, his coalition of white Chicago voters, and other supporters in the state.

The Republican Party had fervently tried to find a candidate to run again Obama. They needed someone to meet political scrutiny and withstand the growing appeal of Obama. In a last effort to locate such a candidate, Alan Keyes, a former ambassador and African American conservative residing in Maryland, was chosen. Keyes was in trouble from the start as he first had to establish residency.

He had recently criticized former First Lady Hilary Clinton for having to establish residency in order to run in the New York primary. Keyes also alienated both parties as well as voters by making politically incorrect statements. Hypocrisy, radical statements, and extreme positions promoted by Keyes fueled the almost frantic campaign in favor of Obama.

In an election that was surrounded by false starts, candidate withdrawals, and questions of other candidates' integrity, Obama stood heads above the confusion with name recognition and a clear connection to Illinois voters. With a landslide victory of 70 percent of the votes, Obama became the third African American to be elected in the U.

Senate since Reconstruction and the fifth African American to be elected in U. Obama also became the only African American senator in the th Congress. Obama is a charismatic and forceful speaker, who captures the hearts and minds of Americans of diverse racial and social backgrounds. His campaign was so successful that he was invited to give the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention in Boston, Massachusetts.

Obama became the third African American to provide the convention speech. Time called Obama's speech, "one of the best in convention history," and Obama told Ebony all he was trying to do was to "tell the stories of the hopes, fears, and struggles of what ordinary people are going through every day. Obama's journey is one of self-discovery, empowerment, and confrontation with the U.

The first of three books, due out inwas expected to include Obama's political views. The second was expected to be a children's book co-written by wife Michelle and the couple's two daughters, Malia Ann and Natsha, with the proceeds to go to charity. The content of the third book was undetermined. Manheim, James M. Contemporary Black Biography.

Farmington Hills, Mich. Graff, E. Kinnon, Joy Bennett. Mitchell, Mary. As a state senator, Obama notably went on record as an early opponent of President George W. The former president and 24 other members of his administration weigh in on their proudest moments, their regrets and the belief that they left it all on the field. When Republican Peter Fitzgerald announced that he would vacate his U.

Senate seat in after only one term, Obama decided to run. He won 52 percent of the vote in the Democratic primary, defeating both multimillionaire businessman Blair Hull and Illinois Comptroller Daniel Hynes. After his original Republican opponent in the general election, Jack Ryan, withdrew from the race, the former presidential candidate Alan Keyes stepped in.

It put the relatively unknown, young senator in the national spotlight. Senate since Reconstruction. During his tenure, Obama notably focused on issues of nuclear non-proliferation and the health threat posed by avian flu. He partnered with another Republican, Senator Richard Lugar of Indianaon a bill that expanded efforts to destroy weapons of mass destruction in Eastern Europe and Russia.

In AugustObama traveled to Kenya, where thousands of people lined the streets to welcome him. He published his second book, The Audacity of Hopein October On February 10,Obama formally announced his candidacy for president of the United States. A victory in the Iowa primary made him a viable challenger to the early frontrunner, the former first lady and current New York Senator Hillary Clintonwhom he outlasted in a grueling primary campaign to claim the Democratic nomination in early June In foreign affairs, the United States still had troops deployed in difficult conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

During the first two years of his first term, President Obama was able to work with the Democratic-controlled Congress to improve the economy, pass health-care reform legislation, and withdraw most US troops from Iraq. After the Republicans won control of the House of Representatives inthe president spent significant time and political effort negotiating, for the most part unsuccessfully, with congressional Republicans about taxes, budgets, and the deficit.

After winning reelection inObama began his second term focused on securing legislation on immigration reform and gun control, neither of which he was able to achieve. When the Republicans won the Senate inObama refocused on actions that he could take unilaterally, invoking his executive authority as president. In foreign policy, Obama concentrated during the second term on the Middle East and climate change.

Obama left the presidency, at age fifty-five, after his constitutionally limited two terms ended on January 20, He announced plans to remain in Washington, DC, until his younger daughter finished high school and, as a former president, to play a restrained but active role in public affairs. He also devoted energy to raising money and planning for the opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, Illinois.

He did not face any significant rivals for the Democratic nomination. His Republican opponent was Mitt Romneya former governor of Massachusetts. Romney called for lower taxes, spending cuts, an increase in defense spending, and a repeal of Obamacare even though it was based on a Massachusetts healthcare plan developed under Romney. Obama's second mid-term election turned into another wave electionas Republicans won control of the Senate and picked up several governorships.

Republican control of the Senate gave the party the power to block Obama's executive and judicial nominees. The elections took place on November 8. Obama was term-limited in due to the 22nd Amendmentthough Obama's approval ratings may have impacted his party's ability to win the race. During the eight years of Obama's presidency, the Democratic Party experienced a net loss of 1, governorships and state and federal legislative seats.

Trump and Obama frequently communicated during the transition periodand Trump stated that he sought Obama's advice regarding presidential appointments. Obama's election also provoked a reaction to his race, birthplace, and religion. As president, Obama faced numerous taunts and racial innuendos, though most overt racist comments were limited to a small fringe.

As Obama left office, historians expressed various opinions about his effectiveness as president, with many noting that subsequent events would determine his ultimate legacy. Contents move to sidebar hide. Article Talk. Read View source View history. Tools Tools. Download as PDF Printable version. In other projects. Wikimedia Commons Wikidata item.

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of the Barack Obama presidency. Seal of the President. This article is part of a series about. Illinois State Senator and U. Senator from Illinois. Senate tenure election sponsored bills. Presidency timeline Transition Inaugurations first second Trips international Efforts to impeach Presidential library.

Presidential campaigns. Major acts and legislation. Main articles: Barack Obama presidential campaign and United States presidential election. Further information: United States electionsDemocratic Party presidential primariesand Democratic National Convention. Transition period, inauguration, and first days. Main article: First days of Barack Obama's presidency.

Problems playing these files? See media help. Vice President Joe Biden stands behind him. Main article: Cabinet of Barack Obama. Notable non-Cabinet positions. Jones — Thomas E. Walter — Mary Jo White — United States Supreme Court nominations. Main article: Barack Obama Supreme Court candidates. Further information: List of federal judges appointed by Barack Obama and Barack Obama judicial appointment controversies.

See also: Social policy of the Barack Obama administration. See also: Health care reform in the United States and Health care reforms proposed during the Obama administration. See also: Banking in the United States. Climate change and the environment. Main article: Economic policy of the Barack Obama administration. See also: Taxation in the United States.

See also: United States federal budget. See also: Immigration to the United States. See also: Energy policy of the Obama administration. Drug policy and criminal justice reform. See also: Gun politics in the United States. See also: Cyberwarfare in the United States. See also: Race and ethnicity in the United States. Main article: Space policy of the Barack Obama administration.

Main article: Foreign policy of the Barack Obama administration. See also: East Asian foreign policy of the Barack Obama administration. See also: United States free trade agreements. Guantanamo Bay detention camp. Killing of Osama bin Laden. Main article: Killing of Osama bin Laden. President Obama on Osama bin Laden's Death 9 : President Obama's address Full Text.

President Obama on Osama bin Laden's Death. Wikisource has original text related to this article: Remarks by the President on Osama bin Laden.