Former President Obama reflected on the societal changes in the United States over the decade since he left office, expressing concern about the trajectory of the country’s politics.
“In that time we have lived through more war, and a terrible pandemic, economic disruptions, mass protests, backlash against mass protests, political conflicts that have shaken the very foundation of our democracy,” the former president remarked.
Obama commented on the vast technological leaps and widening economic inequality over those years, saying they have amplified divisions.
“It’s a lot,” he said. “The future feels uncertain, the ground unstable beneath our feet, and as algorithms keep feeding us a steady stream of distraction and outrage, as only the loudest, most extreme voices get attention, fanning our prejudices, appealing to our basest, most tribal instincts – it’s tempting to give in to cynicism and even despair, to stop trying.”
While acknowledging he is “not immune to anger or doubt,” the former president urged resilience and cooperation.
“When we lose faith in each other, when we stop believing that voting matters, that citizenship matters, that our collective voices matter, that how we treat each other no longer matters, and we give away our power to decide our own futures – we open the door to the most ruthless, or the most careless, or the most fearful among us,” Obama said.