photo: The Official White House Photostream/ BY-NC-SA

In my history class, I was called on to give a speech on imperialism. When I got to the front of the room, thirty public school kids sat staring intensely at me while being hyped up on baked Doritos and teriyaki chicken over rice. Though the situation might intimidate some, I thought nothing of it. After completing my oral presentation, my friend said to me "Who do you think you are -- Obama or somebody?". At first I was taken aback -- was that an insult or compliment? After a small debate in my head, I decided to take it as a compliment.

To be compared to the president was really cool. It made me wonder though, what does it take for a person to be Obama-like? Was it how articulate I was in delivering my presentation or my confidence and stature or was it simply because I was black? I’ve always been able to speak well and use my words like a big boy, but nobody had ever compared me to a president before. Then, I asked myself another question: Did I really want to be compared to a man that so many people disliked?

The fire that Obama had during his campaign has somewhat diminished. He is now more reserved in his battle to tackle the pressing issues of being today’s president. The right has had nothing but negative things to say about Obama since his inauguration. The latest is that Obama is a "job-killing president". With his approval ratting steadily declining and high unemployment, it’s not looking to good for him. I feel that the wrath of the right is partisan politics at its finest. Not wanting the president to succeed,  the right will do anything to slander Obama's conduct and use any means necessary to turn the public against him. I suppose the strategy is that the worse they make him look, the better their party looks.

I still see the president as a sense of hope and a real motivator. He is inspiring and still shows me that anything is possible. I believe in given time, that he will regain the confidence from the people that he once had.

Today, January 27, the President will deliver his first state of the union address. I’ll be watching –who knows maybe I’ll see some of myself in him.