Hope. It’s what the Obama campaigns were about. It’s what his presidency was about it. It’s what the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago is about.

If you haven’t listened to the June 18 speeches by Michelle and Barack Obama at the opening of the center, I suggest you do.

President Barack Obama at the June 18 opening of his presidential center in Chicago. (Image: Obama Foundation)

In many ways the speeches reminded me how much we as a country are suffering. Suffering from a current “leader” who cares more about tearing down people instead of lifting them up; relishing the role of bully-in-chief; being a provocateur. The current White House occupier is a hater.

The Obamas brought common decency to their jobs. They cared. They still do.

They didn’t bring divisiveness. Others found them divisive merely because of their skin color. Those are the haters. Those are the people who seem to have taken over our country.

When will people learn that our differences—be it gender, sexual preference, religious beliefs, political party affiliation, skin color, ancestry, job title, income level—are not reasons to hate on someone.

We are all human beings. Why do some people think others are lesser and they are greater?

I’m exhausted from this hate, the unnecessary divisions that descend from the highest office of the United States to the streets of every town. That hater-in-chief needs to be silenced. Silenced through elections, silenced by people standing up, silenced by restoring common decency to being the norm, not an anomaly.

We the people—it means something. We can say no to the hate. We can make a difference.

It was refreshing to listen to both Obamas—both of whom are excellent orators—talk of hope. Their inspiration is contagious. I needed this. I needed to hear their words. I needed to be reminded there are literally millions of people in this country who care about the greater good.

Even before listening last week I had a visit to this presidential library—though it’s so much more than that—on my 2027 travel list. I can’t wait to explore it and be further inspired.