It was a cold afternoon in 1996. The corridors of Chicago Law School were chilly, and he walked slowly, holding a briefcase in one hand and files in the other. He pressed the files against his chest with his hand. His face showed lines of worry.Barack Obama walked into the faculty lounge, where his fellow colleagues were engaged in lively conversations, enjoying their coffee breaks.
A Cold Afternoon at Chicago Law School: A Determined Dream Takes Shape
He surveyed the room. His friend stood alone near the window. He placed the files and briefcase on the table, hung his coat on the hook, and smiled as he approached his friend. His friend smiled back and asked, "How's your day been?" Barack Obama's replied with enthusiasm, "Good!" His friend was a psychology expert, teaching criminal psychology at Chicago Law School. He immediately sensed his friend's distress and asked directly, "What are you thinking?"
He smiled widely and firmly proclaimed, "I have determined to become the President of the United States." His friend burst into laughter, but he promptly restrained it.He knew his friend's psychology well. He knew that laughter could damage their friendship. Unexpectedly, his friend cast a quick glance outside, a playful grin creeping onto his face. "Seems colder than usual, doesn't it?" He chose not to acknowledge his friend's comment.
His friend's gaze returned from the window to his face, still smiling, and inquired, "Are you being serious?" In response, he arched an eyebrow and asserted, "Absolutely serious."
His friend reached out, grasping his hand, and they both retreated a few steps away from the window before settling down on chairs.
The friend, an expert in psychology, pondered for a moment and then spoke in a deliberate and thoughtful manner, "I have reservations about your ideas." He inquired, "Why?" His friend replied, outlining three reasons firstly, your complexion. You are perceived as dark-skinned, and no dark-skinned person has ever reached a key position in American history. Secondly, your father was a Muslim, and even though your stepfather was also a Muslim, America hasn't become liberal enough to forgive your Muslim background and allow you to hold such a significant role. And thirdly, no politician from your family has ever made it to any significant position. Hence, I am of the opinion that one should refrain from embarking on endeavors they have no prior experience in."
He fell into silence, attentively absorbing his friend's words, and then responded, "I, too, have three reasons behind my determination."Firstly, America is changing. A large proportion, approximately 80%, of the American population falls within the middle class category, with a substantial number being of Caucasian heritage. I feel empathy in their eyes. This empathy stems from the five hundred years of oppression that whites have subjected my race and ethnicity to. The white middle class in America is now ashamed of this oppression. I can benefit from this shame."
He paused. Then he continued, "Secondly, I have studied history extensively. History has taught me that no nation's patience is ever wasted. The African Americans have endured patience for five hundred years.I believe the moment has arrived to harvest the fruits of this perseverance. And thirdly, my black skin and my father being Muslim are my greatest strengths. I am familiar with my weaknesses, so I can easily transform them into my strengths. And number three, I believe that humans are the most resilient creatures created by nature. There is nothing impossible for them.
He stopped. His friend contemplated for a few moments and then inquired, "Share with me five positive attributes about yourself." He stayed quiet for a brief period and then responded, "One of my strengths is my unwavering persistence even in the face of defeat."My second quality is that once I start something, I don't allow any interruptions. My third quality is that I understand the psychology of ordinary people. I understand their emotions, feelings, and needs. My fourth quality is sincerity. I have never misled anyone, never violated a promise, and never exploited charity for personal benefit. And my fifth quality is hope. Even in the most challenging situations, I never relinquish hope."His friend remarked, "If he were thrown into a furnace, he would use his determination to quell the flames." They fell into a momentary silence, and his friend regarded him with profound admiration.
The friend said, "I have observed one common quality among all the great leaders of the world. They were all experts in using both smiles and seriousness. They could smile in a minute and show a death-like seriousness on their faces the next. The day you learned to use seriousness and smiles, you will prove to be a successful leader." With that, he stood up, bowed before him, and smilingly said, "I pray for your success, Mr. President." This friend of his was Barack Hussein Obama.
He took on an impossible task in 1996. He inquired of every individual he encountered, "In what manner do you envision America?" A staggering ninety percent of the respondents voiced their desire for change in America. His subsequent inquiry would be, "What qualities should the President of America possess, according to you?" To both these queries, the majority emphatically replied, "We seek a leader who can instigate transformation across all levels of society." He assimilated the responses to these two inquiries and integrated them into his own character. He became a leader of change. He entered the Senate race in Illinois in 1996 and emerged victorious.
In the Senate, he passed laws that directly affected the lives of ordinary citizens, thereby increasing his popularity. His memoir was remarkable. He memorized the names of all the small and big journalists in America. He was the only politician in America who called journalists by their names in press conferences, and he was familiar with their families. In 2004, he ran for the US Senate and made an imprint on the world as the fifth African American delegate in the country. In the Senate, he worked eighteen to eighteen hours. He knew every detail of the Senate's proceedings, issues, and constitutional provisions.
The consequence of his persistent effort was that he began being considered as a part of the eleven most impressive representatives in America.In 2007, he proclaimed his expectation to run for the administration. All the presidential candidates in America raise funds from millionaires for their campaign, but he started his campaign by collecting funds from the poor. He requested assistance from the people, ranging from five to two hundred dollars. The result was astonishing. He raised 58 million dollars in six months. It was a record in American history.
In January 2008, he accomplished an exceptional achievement by bringing $36.8 million up in crusade commitments in the span of a month, establishing another standard.Furthermore, he secured a triumph in the presidential race, surpassing the popular Democratic Party candidate, Hillary Clinton.That was another record. Barack Hussein Obama arose as the recently chosen Leader of the US on November 4, 2008.He conveyed his most memorable discourse tending to the country in Chicago on the night of November fifth. Looking towards the sky, he shouted, "Nothing is impossible in the world."
And with that, the entire atmosphere of Chicago echoed, "Nothing is impossible in the world." Obama spoke the truth. Indeed, nothing is beyond reach in this world.
All that is required is bravery, optimism, diligence, commitment, and foresight. And a black person can become the President of the world's only superpower in just twelve years. Barack Hussein Obama is a guiding light for all those young people in the world who believe in turning difficulty into the impossible, who have faith in themselves and the power of Allah. Those who do not consider themselves inferior and weak."
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