Obama–A Class Act– Heads To Cuba

                 by David Parmer

The American language is rich in idioms reflecting the diversity of its speakers. Typical of these idioms is the term “class act.” One definition explains “class act” thus: a person or thing displaying impressive and stylish excellence. (Google) Another element might be added to this definition, and that is that the person who is a “class act” has heart, or decency. 

That is a pretty good definition of the character and actions of U.S. President Barack Obama. He truly is a class act, for he has repeatedly demonstrated his excellence, his style and his heart. For many people, Mr. Obama’s trip to Cuba in late March 2016 proved it.

He made this a family trip; he brought his wife, children and mother-in-law. He also brought his trademark smile and his impeccable style.

Obama’s historic journey came in the closing months of his presidency and during a heated and vitriolic presidential election campaign in the U.S. Early on in his term of office, Mr. Obama promised to close the base (and detention center) at Guantanamo Bay, a relic of 19th century imperialism that is long overdue for closing and the land being returned to Cuban sovereignty. But this has yet to come about, and will probably not happen while he is still in the White House.

What President Obama has been able to do is to oversee on his watch the re-opening of the U.S. embassy in Havana after a 54-year closure, and become the first sitting president in 88 years to visit the island nation and make an effort to heal old wounds and chart a course for the future.

Under U.S. law the president can’t unilaterally lift trade sanctions–that requires U.S. congressional approval. But government regulations regarding travel have been changed to allow the flow of tourists to Cuba. And now that the door is partly open, well chances are it will swing open even wider. ABC news reports that we may be seeing as many as 110 commercial flights from the U.S. to Cuba daily.

Many things will be remembered about Mr. Obama’s historic trip, the color and tradition of Old Havana, the antique cars on all the news clips, Presidents Obama and Raul Castro taking in a baseball game together, and the sense of hope for a new beginning.

Probably the most memorable point of the trip, however, was Obama’s speech on March 22 at the Gran Teatro Havana. The speech was pure Obama; frank, full of hope and wisdom, and compassion and statesmanship of the highest order that is rarely witnessed these days.

All of the things that the president did in Cuba don’t make Barak Obama a class act–he was already that. What they did is give the world a glimpse of what America at its best can (and should) look like.

Photo: U.S. Dept. of State via flickr

Full Text of Mr. Obama’s speech in Cuba