Michelle Obama stars at Opening of Obama Presidential Center today

 Speeches, fabulous musical vocals and instrumentals, sincere gratitude to all who made this $850 million, 19 acre interactive, participatory, learning and civic engagement and development project, all under a Southside Chicago warm sun, and with all of that, once again it was Michelle Obama who rose, and elevated not only her own exemplary public role and image, but also lifted the hearts, minds and spirits of  millions.

A speech she refused to permit Barack to preview, and which obviously carried the freight of years of disillusionment over the debacle that is the current administration (without ever mentioning the current Oval Office occupant’s name) soared from the neighbourhood where she grew up in very humble beginnings, to the trumpet call for citizen engagement to restore the values of America. She and Barack both claimed to embody those values and the determination to continue to fight to restore them to the centre of American civic and political life. ‘It would be absurd even to think that you (Barack) would have been even slightly ruffled in the midst of the most challenging tension of your administration,’ was a subtle and unmistakable snub of the nose to the current president, elegantly, succinctly and yet directly levied.

It was the profound passion, energy and conviction that elevated Michelle’s address to the rhetorical stratosphere, while Barack’s was more constitutional law professor/community organizer, and somewhat subdued following as it did the deep affective language and delivery of her historic moment. And it was historic for the depth, length and authenticity of her hymn to her husband, a decision that, through the many years of watching and listening to her public addresses, has never seemed to be so imbued with love, enthusiasm and pride of a spouse for her husband.

Not once did you let it (eight years in the crucible) harden you. Instead you used it to reveal your truest essence, your stubborn optimism and unflinching courage, your dazzling brilliance and unpretentious decency, your ferocious work ethic and absolutely unshakeable moral fibre.

Another pungent and highly sophisticated portion of Michelle’s address:

No, you were too busy. I’m not done y’all. Mrs. Obama continued as the crowd roared with approval. ‘So much to say. You were doing the people’s work, rescuing our economy, expanding healthcare, ending a war, ordering the Bin Laden raid, saving an auto industry, winning a peace prize.

No one listening could or would miss the subtle, pointed and somewhat satiric reference to the current president’s obsession that he be honoured with a Nobel Peace Prize.

Uttered on this 18^th day of June, 2026, by the wife of a former president about her husband, after his two-term, unchallenged presidential tenure, when America and the world are reeling from an American administration and president in whom no one can find optimism, courage, brilliance, unpretentious decency, a ferocious work ethic or especially absolutely unshakeable moral fibre…..the stark contrast is not only epic and nostalgic, but heart-and-mind-and-spirit igniting.

She accepted the mantle, not only of loyal spouse and personal inspirer as well as proud mother and personal friend of former presidents and their spouses, but also national embodiment of the nation’s own very soul. None of the thousands on the lawns, or in living rooms and bars and coffee shops across the world were unable to identify with, applaud and feel their breathing lift a little easier as we all listened to her elevated elocution.

There was no partisan electioneering, campaign rhetoric, or even a specific political issue yet there was a resounding and clarion call for a return to the values that her husband incarnated and helped him get elected. In different language and livery styles, both Michelle and Barack offered hymns exhorting the nation to revisit, re-vision, and re-enact that hope and unleashing of talent, energy and opportunity for which both musicians from the Southside and exemplars from trusts in which the Obamas are engaged were given ‘microphone moments.’

Designed as a magnet and a source of inspiration for future generations, the OPC (Obama Presidential Center) includes a replica of the Oval Office, a NCAA-replica basketball court, a public library, artifacts from the presidency, and of course, Michelle’s many, designer dresses.

A protracted day of celebration, including John Legend, Bruce Springsteen, Christine Aguilera, U2’s Bono, Eddie Vedder, Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, this public, televised historic event can and will serve as an antidote and a reminder of the better angels of the American experiment, and can and will likely eclipse any attempt by the current administration to provide celebrations commemorating the 250^th birthday of the United States of America. Both former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were both in attendance, as well as a plethora of entertainment ‘big names.’ FAmong them were Stephen Colbert and David Letterman both satirically and whimsically wearing ‘tan suits’ in honour of the fashion statement of the former president that evoked such derision at the time.

Former presidents Clinton, and his wife Hillary, George W. Bush and his wife Laura, and Biden and his wife Dr. Jill were all seated on the dais, along with both Sasha and Malia, now 25 and 27 respectively. They were 10 and 7 when their father became president.

Watching from north of the 49^th parallel, even Canadians could not help but be reminded of a very different period in Canadian-American relations, currently under the multiple clouds of one single and lone and lonely and desperate man.

Clearly, the voices of the American imagination, intuition, ingenuity, optimism, hope and ambition are still vibrating with energy, enthusiasm, conviction, courage, determination and that indestructible American ‘get-back-up’ whenever you have been knocked down. There is no doubt that the American nation has been knocked down, perhaps even knee-capped, by the lethal and destructive actions, words and motives of the current administration.

Can and will the infectious ruach (wind in Hebrew) that stirred a crown inside what was formerly Jackson Park on the Southside of Chicago continue, and even increase in both spread and intensity over the next several months, prompting millions of American citizens to emulate and imitate Barack by knocking on doors, making phone calls, chatting with neighbours and friends over back fences, in bars and coffee shops and serving as a proverbial ‘blue wave’ to enable the Democrats to retake both the House and the Senate?

Can and will the Obama Presidential Center become what it was designed to become, a place where people meet, greet, learn from, get to know strangers and share in the continuing renewal of the American dream. That dream is both larger and far more uplifting than the legal and constitutional notion of democracy. Indeed, at the heart of American democracy lie the social, intellectual, supportive and debating skills and experiences of soccer moms while their kids kick those balls, and hockey and baseball dads over a beer, and office workers sharing a coffee during morning break…and those neighbours who check in on their neighbours, mow their lawns, and offer a meal to a hungry child. Social actions based on open and generous and kind hearts comprise the heart-beat of democracy, without ever receiving the headlines they warrant.

The notion of human equality, and the unalienable rights of all, underlie the notion of the ‘goodness and hopefulness’ of each person. And only in the smallest and most insignificant acts of caring, support, empathy and compassion are those ideals enacted, embodied and sustained. And obviously that spirit and truth are and have been missing from much of America for too long.

Can a day like today light a match to rekindle a fire in the American ‘belly’ that can and will take back the nation from its current gang of despots?