Barack Obama
Barack Obama has made world-wide history. Elected as America’s first African-American President, Obama’s inauguration takes place today, and promises to draw crowds from all over the world to witness this global event.
Obama’s policies and beliefs have developed from much of his own life experiences, from being raised by his single mother in Indonesia to working as a community organizer in Chicago, and his family life with wife Michelle and his two daughters are also influential of his political decisions.
FemaleFirst takes a look at the places and cities which have shaped Obama’s life so far, including his parents’ meeting at the University of Hawaii, his political career in New York, his love of the Chicago White Sox baseball team, and the move into his new home at the White House in Washington DC.
Indonesia
After his parents’ divorce, Obama’s mother married a man named Lolo Soetoro, and moved the family to the capital city of Jakarta in Indonesia.
Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world, which further contributed to Obama’s diverse and cultural upbringing, as he learnt to respect the customs of others. Its economy depends on an array of produce including textiles, cars and printing.
However, Jakarta experiences many problems too, such as poverty, pollution and overpopulation, and Indonesia is prone to earthquakes and volcano eruptions. Also, the area often experiences flooding due to heavy rainfall.
Whilst in Indonesia, Obama’s mother was keen to teach him about her beliefs and values, and often encouraged him to listen to speeches from Martin Luther King junior, and helped him through his English courses.
She had a second child with her new husband, named Maya Kassandra Soetoro, and chose to send Obama back to Hawaii to pursue his dreams and develop his political education.
California
Upon graduating high school, Obama went to study in Los Angeles, California, to shape his political career. Here, Obama experienced his first taste of a celebrity lifestyle, as it is America’s most wealthy state.
Known as the ‘Entertainment Capital of the World’, Los Angeles hosts the likes of Hollywood Boulevard, Mann’s Chinese Theatre and Universal Studios Hollywood, which is the world’s largest motion picture and television studio.
Obama is also a keen golfer, and for this reason, California suited him well. The sunshine state boasts warm weather all year round, and is the perfect destination for lovers of the beach and golf, as Obama is.
However, L.A. has a more cultural side too, and the California African-American Museum aims to educate people about African-Americans raised in California and other American states.
In recent years, California has experienced a lot of immigration, and now has large Asian and Latino communities.
California was also home to previous American presidents Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan.
New York
After two years in California, Obama transferred to Columbia University in New York City, where he majored in political science.
If California is the ‘Entertainment Capital of the World’, New York is the city that never sleeps, and there was plenty to occupy Obama’s time there.
The state of New York is traditionally democratic, and there are people of almost 200 nationalities living in New York City.
New York consists of Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, Harlem and Staten Island, and has over 150 state parks, as well as mountain ranges and lakes. Famous landmarks include the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Central Park and Times Square, and New York City’s Broadway is the world's most famous theater district.
Due to such diversity and large amounts of immigration, New York makes an effort to include cultural aspects into its attractions, such as the African Burial Ground, which is a pre-revolutionary African cemetery.
There is also the popular American Museum of Natural History, which boasts ancient dinosaur bones and a planetarium.
To be continued…
Jakarta, Indonesia
The ALiLa Jakarta Hotel and Resort is a four-star haven of relaxation in the centre of Jakarta. Hotels.co.uk prices start from £66 per room per night.The Le Meridien Jakarta is another four-star hotel located within easy reach of all the historical attractions of the capital. Hotels.co.uk prices start from £84 per room per night.
Los Angeles, California
The Sheraton Los Angeles is a fantastic three–star hotel situated right next to shoppers’ heaven, Macy’s Plaza and the new entertainment destination LA Live. Hotels.co.uk prices start from £98 per room per night.
The Hilton Checkers is a four-star European-style boutique hotel located in downtown Los Angeles. Hotels.co.uk prices start from £100 per room per night.
New York City, New York
The Radisson Lexington Hotel is a three-star hotel just three blocks from the Rockefeller centre and four from the Broadway theatres. Hotels.co.uk prices start from £65 per room per night.
The Park Central New York Hotel is a three-star hotel located close to Central Park and Fifth Avenue. Hotels.co.uk prices start from £79 per room per night.