a very human story about the prez

by MaxEntropy_Man Fri May 25, 2012 7:36 am

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/cutline/story-behind-white-house-photo-boy-touched-president-140641932.html

it gave my morning an amazing start. beautiful story.

by Maria S Fri May 25, 2012 9:11 am

He is absolutely great with all children!

I think children are naturally drawn to him too- and find him extremely approachable. I don't know how many of you have been around small Black children and talked to them..but, many of them are extremely intelligent and curious..and if they find you approachable, they will come up and ask any question, even if one is a stranger with respect (addressing one as Miss, Mr, Dr etc- which is rare in other groups these days) yet, totally fearless..and some are hilarious!

Too bad, many of the rural schools and inner city schools are falling apart..these naturally curious children and smart black children don't get the nurturing and support they need from teachers and other mentors..by the time they are teenagers, many are either apathetic or restless, listless, depressed etc.

by Propagandhi711 Fri May 25, 2012 10:28 am

I that's right - I forgot 2012 being the election year is also the kissing babies year.

by Petrichor Fri May 25, 2012 10:39 am

We all know its election year. We know Obama needs to put as much distance as possible from the 'bot' candidate, Mittster. We know there's nothing wrong in legitimate PR efforts to project positive side of the 'product'.

However, there's a difference between dredging up a picture from the whitehouse basement storage for timely consumption and placing a story about a picture that has been a fixture in the HQ. Former not so good, the latter is classy and shows how the democrats and Times differentiate themselves.

by MaxEntropy_Man Fri May 25, 2012 11:00 am

screw the politics and screw the elections. if this story doesn't move you on a very basic human level, i think you might want to think about cynicism actually reaching unhealthy levels in your mental makeup. this is not about the left or the right. it's not about politics at all.

by Petrichor Fri May 25, 2012 11:50 am

Max, You bring up some interesting points. Politicians, by the time, they rise above County level, are seen to have ceded their humanity and are denied normal courtesies - at that point they are 'products' and placed after due considerations to focus groups opinions. Nothing they do is unscripted. If you want to look for the humanity in politicians you have to dig lot deeper into their lives before they became 'candidates'.

This is the predominant 'perception' of politicians, however cynical that might sound.

So, in this post-manufactured image conscious reality, the question not posed by Times is "Such a cute gesture...did Obama opportunistically grab the photo op or did he let his unscripted humanity show through in that moment?"

The real stories are always about Washington Diners where Times staffers meet up with the WH Press Office minions and concoct the day's writing assignments.

by Jeremiah Mburuburu Fri May 25, 2012 12:15 pm

Maria S wrote:...small Black children... but, many of them are extremely intelligent and curious...

are you surprised? if not, why does their intelligence or curiosity deserve special mention?

by MaxEntropy_Man Fri May 25, 2012 12:19 pm

atcg wrote:.did Obama opportunistically grab the photo op or did he let his unscripted humanity show through in that moment?"

one can't be sure, but i am readily willing to believe the latter probably because i am already heavily biased in his favor.

by Maria S Fri May 25, 2012 12:30 pm

If you want to look for the humanity in politicians you have to dig lot deeper into their lives before they became 'candidates'.

____________

Yes, that's one of the reasons the interaction seems authentic (whether the photo opportunity was created or not).

The President's childhood..how he perhaps could relate to this child with his own black identity issues (as he expresses in his autobiographical books)..and his real life experiences serving as a community organizer dealing with people..and not losing his common touch with ordinary people after he became President.

*Of course the history of this country.. between the people in power and powerless looming in the background..which is all real, cannot be manufactured- enhances the authenticity of the moment, imo.

by Marathadi-Saamiyaar Fri May 25, 2012 12:34 pm

MaxEntropy_Man wrote:screw the politics and screw the elections. if this story doesn't move you on a very basic human level, i think you might want to think about cynicism actually reaching unhealthy levels in your mental makeup. this is not about the left or the right. it's not about politics at all.

Reminds me of a very distant 4th cousin who, as a 2 year old, would go and pat anyone's head that he can reach out. All he would do is to go behind one chair after another in the living room, patting people's head.

Just thought would share this highly moving experience.

by The Absolute Zero Fri May 25, 2012 12:49 pm

Propagandhi711 wrote:I that's right - I forgot 2012 being the election year is also the kissing babies year.

"In May 2009, the child, Jacob Philadelphia, was visiting the White House with his father, a former Marine who was leaving his 2-year stint working for the National Security Council as part of the White House staff. "

by MaxEntropy_Man Fri May 25, 2012 11:10 pm

i've asked myself many times why this story and the associated picture move me so and i think there are two reasons:

the less obvious one is the juxtaposition of the simple innocence of a little boy against the paternal majesty of a very powerful but wise man.

and the more obvious one is the undertone of a powerful and potent role model amongst a historically underprivileged group of people.

i can't seem to stop looking at the picture.

by Marathadi-Saamiyaar Sat May 26, 2012 12:19 am

Now I understand why Amma lets/wants everyone to touch her feet.

by Sponsored content

Hitskin.com

a very human story about the prez

a very human story about the prez

Re: a very human story about the prez

Re: a very human story about the prez

Re: a very human story about the prez

Re: a very human story about the prez

Re: a very human story about the prez

Re: a very human story about the prez

Re: a very human story about the prez

Re: a very human story about the prez

Re: a very human story about the prez

Re: a very human story about the prez

Re: a very human story about the prez

Re: a very human story about the prez

Re: a very human story about the prez