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Choosing your Future Barack Obama – A Troubled Teen Chooses his Future As the first African-American President of the US and a strong advocate for changing the way our government works, Barack Obama inspires millions. The 2008 Presidential election inspired a new generation of voters. With the evolution of news media, blogging, twitter, and social networking, Americans of all races, ages, and circumstance were able to follow the campaign trail. While democrats and republicans are still relatively split on Obama’s political ideals, many would agree that his presence brings a new found energy to Washington. It may be hard to believe that Obama was once a troubled teen himself. As the son of a white mother and a black father who he barely knew, young Barack struggled with his identity as a child of mixed race growing up in the U.S. He turned to alcohol, marijuana, and occasionally cocaine to avoid questions he had about who he was and where he fit in. Obama later lamented, “I was a confused kid and was making a bunch of negative choices based on stereotypes of what I thought a tough young man should be. Those choices were misguided, a serious mistake.” Barack knew he was headed to a hard life, or as he believed, “the final, fatal role of the young would-be black man.” But by the time he was twenty, he no longer used illegal drugs. Obama had decided to take responsibility for himself. Instead of continuing in a dangerous direction, Barack proactively chose his future. His achievements allowed him to continue on to Ivy League schools, a successful stint in community organizing, and a triumphant political career that now has him leading millions who try to follow his excellent example. Discussion Questions: 1. Why and how do you think he was able to leave drugs behind? 2. What do you hope for in your future? 3. What are other choices we can all make to help ensure that we fully reach our potential? |
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