Is Obama a "Victim?"
We’ve been watching the Obama Presidential Center emerge in Chicago for a few years now. Now that it is ready, I found myself wondering if Obama has been victimized by a sadistic architect’s practical joke. The building is heavy, dark, forbidding—almost like some villain’s fortress in a B-rated
sci-fi movie.
The aerial photos show an almost labyrinthian driveway leading to what? So I looked up the architectural style only to discover that it is Brutalist Architecture. There are many styles that have emerged on the American architectural landscape, but Brutalist is certainly an apt name for this style: It is brutal on the eyes, and on the psyche. And, though the style has odd and interesting angles, use of light and concrete, one would not describe it for the most part as inviting.
So, why did he choose that? He has said that he didn’t want this to be like a Presidential Library, but rather a living monument focusing on community and civic engagement and the history of America’s evolution.
Then why make it “brutal?” It hit me quickly then. This building is truly a metaphor for the man himself, and his presidency. The contents may be interesting and innovative, but the building is the first impression. And I was reminded by a business coach long ago that you only get one chance at a first impression.
Brutalist architecture for a brute who brutalized our country and its heritage in his presidency and now, through this building, in perpetuity.
I believe we all remember when he ran on—and likely won on—his desire to fundamentally change America. No one bothered to ask him his definition of “fundamentally change.” That failure led to 8 years of bashing of our history, our ancestors, the reinstalment of racial divide in a country that had for all intents and purposes solved the issue, and the embracing of global elites who have been waiting 250 years for the Great Experiment of self-governance to end.
His economy was brutal on all Americans. And he was brutal on all political opponents, not being satisfied to win or lose in honest elections where the people chose, but rather to engage in covert attacks upon future presidential candidates.
He was brutal to Joe Biden as well, practicing an unearthly level of smooth, charismatic deception and betrayal.
He did fundamentally change America into a land of divisiveness and hate. Disagreement we always had, but not hate like it is today. He practiced a reverse discrimination, which has proven detrimental to all races.
Therefore, I now conclude that the building is not some sadistic architect’s practical joke being played on Barrack Hussein Obama, but rather Obama knowingly making a lasting brutal statement to us all.
And I am reminded of something Frank Lloyd Wright is reported to have said: “The sins of the architect are permanent.”
(Despite all that, when I am next in Chicago, I will likely visit the Brutalist Architecture, since I enjoy visiting all former Presidents’ museums—no matter the party. I can always learn something. I only hope I can navigate the labyrinth to find a place to park!)
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