Who would believe that in America in 2026, race is still an issue? And yet it is — not because we lack laws or progress, but because too many people still refuse to accept one another as human beings, equal in dignity and worth. Our founding promise declared that “all people are created equal,” but we have never fully lived up to that ideal. The hostility directed at Barack and Michelle Obama is proof that the old hierarchies have not disappeared. They have simply found new ways to express themselves.
This is not about politics. It is about the moral difference between cruelty and character — and the choice Americans must make about which future they want to reclaim. Those forces were already present in American life. But the president opened the door wider. He elevated them. That is how you end up with a UFC fighter publicly calling Former First Lady Michelle Obama a man — a dehumanizing insult rooted in racism and misogyny. Americans must reject that kind of cruelty.
Black Americans and other people of color — Latinos, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and many others — have contributed immeasurably to this country. Millions of Americans know this and honor it. But some remain trapped in old hierarchies, in the mindset of Jim Crow, in the belief that leadership and brilliance come in only one color. Barack Obama’s excellence challenged those assumptions. His intelligence, calm, dignity, and global respect threatened the worldview of people who believed themselves superior by default. And instead of rising to meet that moment, some chose resentment and cruelty.
Maya Angelou captured this truth with devastating clarity: “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” The president has shown us who he is. The cruelty is not accidental. The obsession is not incidental. And yet, as Angelou also wrote, people like Michelle and Barack Obama rise above it — “You may shoot me with your words… but still, like air, I’ll rise.” Their grace in the face of hatred is a reminder of what true character looks like.
For ten years, the president has remained obsessed with Barack Obama. It is not political disagreement — it is fixation. He has worked to dismantle Obama’s legacy, from weakening the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to withdrawing from the Iran nuclear agreement and amplifying baseless claims about investigations. His actions reveal a refusal to accept Obama’s leadership and the respect he earned.
And what did it say about his loyalists in Congress who allowed all of this to happen? They watched the ACA be dismantled and said nothing. They watched DEI programs be gutted and said nothing. They watched the cruelty, the insults, the dehumanization — and said nothing. Their silence was agreement. Their inaction was consent.
Americans see this. One Floridian told me he misses having a president who can speak without demeaning someone — a longing shared by millions who want professionalism, stability, and a country that feels united again.
Americans also see the corruption — the lies, retaliation, election interference, and a president who abuses his oath and ignores the Constitution. They see a leader who concentrates power, disregards court orders, hides evidence, and enriches himself while families struggle. Most people, especially people of color, know the truth in what they see, hear, and live. They see no-bid contracts, taxpayer‑funded vanity projects, and a president who has even sued the government he leads. And they hear him warn that if Democrats are elected, “they will find a way to impeach me” — an admission that he knows he is abusing his power and has a Congress too afraid to check him.
And yet, even in a moment defined by cruelty and corruption, Americans still remember what healthy leadership looks like. In June, as Americans watched the opening of the Obama Presidential Center, they saw a different America — a celebration of inclusion, not exclusion; a moment with no divisions, no insults, no cruelty. Just Americans, all colors and backgrounds, standing together in unity, dignity, and respect. Even people who were not invited felt included, and those watching from home felt they belonged. For a brief moment, we saw what we have been missing — and what we can reclaim: an America for all people, regardless of race, cultural background, or socioeconomic status. A leader who welcomed everyone and earned the respect of millions.
Unity cannot be reclaimed without truth. A better America requires acknowledging the contributions of all people and embracing the diversity that has always defined us. Race cannot be ignored, and history cannot be erased. As painful chapters disappear from school curricula, families must teach the truth at home — not out of anger, but out of pride in the resilience of their ancestors. Slavery is part of the American story, and refusing to hide it is an act of dignity.
Cultural heritage months — Black History Month, Mexican Heritage Month, and others — exist because they honor experiences that shaped this nation. Yet as the 250th anniversary approached, the president declared that “Black history is not distinct from American history.” It sounded inclusive, but it functioned as denial — a refusal to face the cruelty of slavery or acknowledge the reality of white nationalism. Millions may avoid conversations about race, but the president’s actions speak loudly.
Americans hear his views clearly in the dismantling of DEI, the weakening of the ACA, the elimination of OBBBA, and legislation and voter interference that disproportionately harm communities of color. He may not always voice racist remarks aloud, but the tone is unmistakable — projected through policies, priorities, and silence. A country cannot heal when its leaders deny its past. Honesty, courage, and a willingness to confront the truth together are the only path forward.
A functioning democracy depends on checks and balances — leaders who respect institutions, uphold the Constitution, and understand that their power comes from the people. The president opened the door to cruelty, division, retaliation, and corruption, but Americans can close it. They want stability. They want competence. They want leaders who listen, who surround themselves with experts, and who work to unify rather than divide.
Americans must be the ones to stop the cruelty — and refuse to imitate it. We must insist on leaders who value dignity over dominance, truth over spectacle, and service over self‑promotion. And we must model the country we want to live in — in our language, our choices, and our treatment of one another.
Above all, we reclaim it by voting. Checks and balances only work when the people participate. Democracy is not preserved by anger or exhaustion. It is preserved by citizens who refuse to surrender their character, even when cruelty is loudest.
A better America will not simply appear. It must be reclaimed by the people who still believe in it. The America we long for is not gone. It is waiting for us to reclaim it.
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Carolyn Goode is a retired educational leader and former principal who has spent her career advancing civic responsibility, equity, and public engagement. She writes about democracy, leadership, and the values that strengthen American communities.
