We Do Not Truly Know What We Have Until It Is Gone by Logan

We Do Not Truly Know What We Have Until It Is Gone by Logan - October 2017 Scholarship Essay

After careful consideration, I would choose to have dinner with Mr. Barack Obama. I have had the honor of learning about many different presidents of the past through written accounts and film but Mr. Obama was the first president who I grew up knowing while having a true awareness of politics. Having experienced the United States under the time of his presidency, I feel that he would have some valuable insight to the events which he had to deal with before, during, and after his time in office. Additionally, he would make a wonderful dinner companion due to his ability to be serious and sincere, but also with his true sense of compassion and kindness.
Initially, I would be interested in hearing about Mr. Obama’s perception about his impact of being the first black president of the United States. It seems that he came into office amid strife and unrest from those who did not think a black man should be president. I feel that he dealt wonderfully with the accusations against him but would live his perspective on how it felt to have your heritage and ethnicity under such scrutiny. Being a white woman, I do not experience questioning of my identity and background. In this modern world, I feel that it is important to educate myself on this type of diversity and struggle, and who better to learn from than the former president?
Additionally, Mr. Obama was seen as controversial at times, such as in the implementation of Obamacare. I would love to hear the ways in which he considered criticisms of this act and how it felt to follow through with it, despite constant scrutiny. Of course, every president faces some level of scrutiny but in this case, now that president Trump is in office, Obamacare has seen more love since its threats of being repealed began. I cannot imagine the shift in reaction that former President Obama must have experienced in that time.
Finally, I would love to hear his take on the election of President Trump. It seems that everyone has their opinion on the subject, which they should in a population educated on the matter, but hearing the opinion of the man who preceded Trump would be very insightful. Especially around the final weeks of Obama’s presidency, it seems as though he began to receive more positive reactions to his time in office. It would be interesting to hear a take on a recent president who was under great scrutiny in office, but is missed and longed for now that his time is finished.