President Obama is not just the president who reformed healthcare and oversaw the legalization of same-sex marriage in America. He’s also the president who had an epic clapback to a reporter’s question using one of the blackest phrases ever, a moment that quickly went viral in celebration of the president being unapologetically black.
As the first black president of the United States, Obama has always been in a precarious position where his blackness has been at various times a political hindrance. Remember when he was criticized for using the n-word, in context?
Obama has mastered the art of code-switching that so many black people have to learn early on in order to navigate a white dominated world, but in glorious moments like “If folks want to pop off...” his blackness shines through. Below are a few of Obama’s best, “blackest” moments during his presidency:
1. When he sang a moving, soulful rendition of “Amazing Grace” at the Charleston memorial service for Reverend Clementa C. Pinckney in 2015.
2. When he code-switched his handshake with Kevin Durant in 2013.
3. When he made jokes on jokes on jokes at the 2014 White House Correspondent’s Dinner: “I’m feeling sorry for the Speaker of the House, as well. These days, House republicans give John Boehner a harder time than they give me. These days, orange really is the new black.”
4. When he said “wha gwan Jamaica” at a Jamaican press conference in April 2015.
5. When he did the smoothest swag walk ever after announcing Osama Bin Laden’s death in 2011.
6. When he sang Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” to the First Lady at a New York fundraiser in 2012.
7. When he referred to Donna Brazile (former Vice Chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee) as his “homegirl” in his Hurricane Katrina 10 year anniversary speech in 2015.
8. Whenever he danced like your turnt uncle at the family function.
10. Let’s not forget when he made this face after he was asked about his nuclear plans against Russia at a White House press conference in 2014.
11. When he proclaimed June 2016 African-American Music Appreciation Month.
12. When he threw the most epic, blackest White House party with music from Jill Scott, Yolanda Adams, Bell Biv Devoe, Usher, Janelle Monae, Common, De La Soul, and countless other great black musicians and artists in 2016.
13. Oh, and then danced to Hotline Bling:
14. When he low-key admitted that he watches “Love and Hip-hop...”
15. ... And told Issa Rae that he’s just as obsessed with “Insecure” as we are.
16. When he dropped the mic at his last ever White House Correspondents Dinner:
17. When he let this little boy touch his hair in the Oval Office in 2009 and got us all right in the feels.
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