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Spencer Wiggins 2:02 p.m. CT Feb. 11, 2017

Spencer Wiggins (Photo: handout)

Donald Trumps swearing in as the 45th president remindedme that with each new person who assumes this position of being the elected leader of the free world, especially after such a tumultuous election season, we as a nation must move forward and hope for the best because our democracy is strong.

It also gives me an opportunity to reflect back on the past eight years under President Barack Obama and what I consider his legacy.

Whether you were a supporter of his presidency and his policies or if you opposed his positions on various programs or the content of his rhetoric, you would have to agree that he did carry himself with dignity and respect for the office.

I personally have not always agreed with him on his positions and his tactics.His failure to follow through on his Middle East red line challenge on the Syrian chemical weapons build up immediately comes to mind.However, the differences I had in regard to some of the decisions and strategy does not take away from my respect for a man who is smart, well educated, scholarly, an extraordinary orator and well read.

Obama was not perfect, but neither was any other president been free of mistakes. As the first African American president, Obama carried himself with a strong sense of responsibility in being the first of his race to hold such an esteemed office, which was free of scandal during his eight-year tenure.

As an African American and a member of 100 Black Men of Middle Tennessee, I immediately think of our 100 KINGS imitative.

The program is designed to help African American boys to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence necessary to succeed in life. Currently the average age of the participants in the program is 15, and since they were in middle or even elementary school, they have grown up knowing only Barack Obama as President of the United States. As we have mentored them, they have observed him, not only as being the president, but how he has carried himself as a husband and a father.

Our members serve as role models for the 100 KINGS by creating an environment based upon purpose and trust through self-esteem and confidence. My personal view of the Obama legacy is that he has provided the next generation of African American males another role model for them to emulate and who will inspire them to find a pathway to a successful future.

Spencer Wiggins is a member of 100 Black Men of Middle Tennessee and past chair of the Tennessee Human Rights Commission.

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Original post:
Obama leaves legacy for future black men - The Tennessean