Soaring oratory and strong emotions marked the farewell speech of the 45th US President, Barack Obama, 10 days before his successor is sworn in. The tradition dates back to President George Washington, reflecting the concerns of the outgoing leaders. President Obama, speaking in his hometown Chicago, strongly batted for his legacy, when he said: “By almost every measure, America is a better, stronger place” than when he was elected the first black President of the US in 2008. Expectedly, he listed out his achievements, domestic – tackling recession, revitalizing the automobile industry, creating new jobs – and international – establishing diplomatic relations with Cuba and the Iran nuclear deal.

What also came through in this elegant address was his worry about the state of the country after a toxic election. “Democracy is threatened whenever we take it for granted,” said the US President even as he regretted that “race remains a potent and often divisive force in our society.” Much is wrong with politics in America, from low turnouts to naked partisanship. “I reject discrimination against Muslim Americans,” he said, underlining the need to combat religious discrimination.

President Obama has reminded the world of liberal values, multiculturalism and economic inclusiveness at a time when narrow-minded nationalism seeks to reverse the gains of the past several decades. He leaves office with a reputation of being an honorable and decent man, untarnished by personal scandals. In many ways he represented an aspirational vision of America, but one that was disconnected from the wide underbelly of the voting public that was successfully tapped by his successor. Obama created history with his election, he made history while in office, and going by what he said at his farewell speech, he may not be ready to become history just yet. He remains a powerful voice that we need to hear.

(Tribune, India)