For instance, as a state senator in Illinois, he introduced an unprecedented 800 bills, 181 of which were passed into law. We also realize that his multi-ethnic heritage forged his viewpoints, not fitting in anywhere in the traditional sense made him fit in everywhere. It may very well be that his love of basketball, both as a participant and as a spectator, shaped his competitive prowess.
What really stands out in this portrait, though, is the attention given to Obama’s formidable intellect and his determination to make things happen. The Man and His Journey is narrated by Blair Underwood, and features exclusive interviews with Martin Luther King III, George Lopez, Hill Harper, Roland Martin, Linda Johnson Rice, and Congressman Jesse Jackson, as well as other prominent national personalities in the fields of politics, entertainment, religion, business, and academia.
This is a portrait created out of admiration. Co-produced by Ebony/Jet and Vivendi Entertainment, it doesn’t offer a lot of controversy, though there are clips of the McCain-Palin gaffes during the latter days of the campaign. Even those, though, are brushed off as part of Obama’s strategy. So are the sparse extra features, consisting mainly of seven vignettes that showcase Brian McKnight’s song “Yes We Can,” and also showcase Obama’s view on economics, family, the war, economics, and the like. There’s also an official Obama holographic trading card.
President Barack Obama: The Man and His Journey is somewhat uneven as it tells of the man’s meteoric rise to the presidency. It would be nice if it spent a bit more time on his struggles, and a little less on how he triumphed despite those odds. The new President has major obstacles confronting him, as do all of us, but for now, celebrating his ascendancy is an inspiration to all of us.
For the first time in our history, we can really believe the mantra that anyone can arise to any position they want to attain. Yes we can, indeed.
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