The Obama Years: It Was Black Camelot

This is the heart of Camelot, not these stones, not these timbers, these palaces and towers. Burn them all and Camelot lives on, because it lives in us. Camelot is a belief that we hold in our hearts. ~ FIRST KNIGHT (1995)

Geoffrey of Monmouth (c. 1100 – c. 1155) was a Welsh cleric credited with inspiring generations with the spirited, romantic tales of the legendary King Arthur, his Lady Guinevere, and his Camelot.

Essentially, Camelot can be defined as any idyllic place or period.

But for me, the idea of Camelot is so much more. It is an ideal with heart and soul.

It is about being inspired to live lives infused with grace, integrity and a grandeur of goodness, compassion, and empathy.

In this country, many may cite the “glamorous” administration of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy and his Lady Jacqueline (1961 to 1963) as our first “Age of Camelot.”

But in 2008, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. truly became again the home of “Camelot.”

Back then, we were a nation in disorder and on the brink of ruin. We needed as a people to believe in something, someone. We needed a true hero–and his heroine.

And President Barack Obama was the man who inspired enough of us to set aside our prejudices and differences and embrace the belief that change was possible.

Without a doubt, for this administration, it has not always been glamorous or romantic or easy.

While President Barack Obama accomplished great things and huge successes against seemingly impassable odds, there has been tremendous disappointments, heartbreaks, and failures too.

I suppose the real magic is that this country was able to elect such a superb human being as President Obama in the first place and that he and his Lady Michelle were able to preside and to inspire so elegantly over this nation for two terms.

Now, as this most recent “Age of Camelot” in US history comes to an end, I am more than a little somber, wistful, and, yes, terrified.

The devastating results of General Election 2016 prove without a doubt that our differences are still violently alive and well. Truth is, they never went anywhere.

I am incredulous and heartbroken that nearly 50% of Americans have voted in a way that tarnishes his irreproachable character and his hard-earned legacy with their 2016 choice for President.

But as for me, President Barack Obama and Lady Michelle, I bid you a sad adieu. And I wish you safe passage to civilian life and I thank you both for your sterling service and your magnificent efforts on behalf of all Americans, regardless of race, ethnicity or nationality, gender, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic group, or political sympathies.

Obama and Lady Michelle out!

XOXO

And Yes, They Did and Goodbye!

3 thoughts on “The Obama Years: It Was Black Camelot”

  1. What more can I add to this? except to say I am sadden to see this administration comes to an end. I say an end, because I believed that all the progress that this First Family have made will be erased.

    I just want to thank President Barack Obama and his First Lady Michelle for a job well done, for being president for all American and a sterling example to all world leaders.
    Mr. President, you will go down in history as the President who truly cared and made a difference.

    Reply

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