The American Library Association concluded its week-long Annual Conference and Exhibition June 29 with a virtual conversation between former President of the United States Barack Obama and Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution Dr. Lonnie G. Bunch III.
The two sat down to discuss the current state of democracy and highlighted details from Obama’s memoir titled, A Promised Land, which follows his search for identity and simultaneous journey into politics.
“Throughout that process, what I have always believed is that we are all works in progress,” said Obama. “We come into the world with certain possibilities for good and for ill; a potential to maybe make a contribution, he said.
“If we are lucky and we work hard, maybe we fulfill part of that potential,” Obama added. “But it is always imperfect. And certainly, that was true for me. But what I also think is it is true for America.”
After he left office in 2017, the country has since faced political division, continued police violence, an increase in hate crimes—most recently fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic—and the spread of misinformation.
Misinformation was prevalent during last year’s presidential election, with former President Donald J. Trump, his supporters and even some members of the Republican Party declaring the 2020 presidential election was rigged. Claims around election fraud led to the riots on Jan. 6 at the United States Capitol. Thousands of individuals defaced and stormed the historic building, all while holding weapons and waving Confederate flags.
Obama noted similar trends of misinformation and racial rhetoric occurred during his presidency—with some questioning his citizenship and referring to him as a “socialist,” “anti-American” and “radical.”
