There was a time that felt more normal than this, back before anyone had ever heard of COVID-19, before Americans could imagine their own people participating in insurrections against our own government, before Americans heard world leaders openly laugh at (not with) the president of the United States,, before a modern president called neo-Nazis “very good people,” and before vaccines were a bad thing.
Before all of that, there was President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, and a presidential family who represented the country proudly and with grace.
Happy Thanksgiving! Michelle and I send our warmest wishes to everyone celebrating today. We hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday with the people you love. pic.twitter.com/hOYowIFveK
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 25, 2021
On Thanksgiving Day, President Obama shared memories of Thanksgivings during his family’s time in the White House, when the family volunteered to feed the hungry and to fulfill their roles in public service.
The photo invoked happier memories of a time when Americans felt more hopeful about the future of the nation, with a president who cared about and chose to act against climate change, understanding it as an existential threat rather than a hoax started by China to dupe Americans into destroying their economy. It was a time when presidents talked about the spirit of America and how Americans shared a common identity instead of a president who called people losers and traitors if they didn’t like him.
President Biden, both as Obama’s vice president and in his role as leader today, has called for American unity, just as Obama has. Those moments before we knew some of the worst that would come, will always be special to a country recovering from four years of negativity.
Twitter was quick to join in the happy sentiments for Thanksgiving with President Obama. Read some of their comments below:
