Monday, November 28, 2016

John Legend: Americans ‘Already Missing the Way Obamas Conducted Themselves in Office’



John Legend: Americans ‘Already Missing the Way Obamas Conducted Themselves in Office’
by Jerome Hudson 28 Nov 2016
Singer John Legend is apparently already feeling nostalgic about Barack Obama’s presidency, portraying the last eight years as a “scandal-free” era the American people will surely miss.

“I think people are already missing the way the Obamas conducted themselves in office,” the “Darkness and Light” singer said in an interview for the winter cover story of Jocks & Nerds.

“Particularly when you compare them, especially with Trump and how tawdry so much of the campaign has been,” Legend continued. “I think people are appreciating how scandal-free his Presidency has been.”

The Grammy-winning artist says the Obama years have been a boon for families who’ve seen their incomes rise.

“Combine that with the fact the economy is doing much better than it was before he came into office,” he said. “Unemployment’s down, incomes are rising. I think all in all, people are realising he did a pretty great job.”

Of course, the nation’s unemployment rate only tells a fraction of the story of its overall economic health, and can often be misleading. As Breitbart News has reported, Obama’s presidency has yielded record low growth.

Asked about his thoughts on Black Lives Matter, Legend, who is an avid supporter of the social justice group, said, “It’s been a challenge for Obama, because he represents the State, and he represents law enforcement, and he represents the Justice Department, so the folks that are protesting are protesting that apparatus. But I think he understands where those protests are coming from. But he still has to represent the Government.”

Apart from singing and social activism, Legend has spent the last few years expanding his role in Hollywood. He produced this year’s film Southside With You, a biopic about Barack and Michelle Obama’s first date in Chicago, which opened to critical acclaim but middling box office.

“I think now was a great time [for Southside With You] because a lot of people are feeling pretty nostalgic about the first couple and how historically significant they are given that he was the first black President, she was the first black First Lady, but also how graceful and elegant and strong they have been as leaders of the country over the last eight years,” Legend said about the film, which was produced by his Get Lifted Film Company.

Legend also holds a producer credit for the critically acclaimed slave drama TV series Underground. 

The 37-year-old singer says he’s interested in making films that focus on “issues I care about politically.”

“I’d gotten involved with a lot of films as songwriter but when I started my company it was a process that involved finding the right directors, finding the right cast, telling the right stories,” he said. “And I think a lot of that comes from my own political sensibilities. A lot of the work we’ve been doing reflects a lot of the issues I care about politically. But also there’s simply my love of great storytelling and my love of great music in relation to telling those stories.”

John Legend
John Legend is a director at Harlem Village Academies, a performer in the Yes We Can video, judged the advertisement competition for Obama in 30 Seconds, and a performer in the We Are One Inaugural Celebration.

Note: Jane Och is a director at the Harlem Village Academies, and married to Daniel S. Och.
Daniel S. Och is married to Jane Och, and a director at the Robin Hood Foundation.
Robin Hood Foundation was a funder for the Harlem Village Academies.
Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Robin Hood Foundation, and the Aspen Institute (think tank).    
George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society, and a contributor for MoveOn.org.
Obama in 30 Seconds was an advertisement for MoveOn.org.
Barack Obama is featured in Yes We Can video, the president for the Barack Obama administration, and was an intern at Sidley Austin LLP.
2009 Barack Obama inauguration was the first inauguration for the Barack Obama administration.
We Are One Inaugural Celebration is the opening concert for the 2009 Barack Obama inauguration.
Michelle Obama was a lawyer at Sidley Austin LLP.
R. Eden Martin is counsel at Sidley Austin LLP, and the president of the Commercial Club of Chicago.
Newton N. Minow is a senior counsel at Sidley Austin LLP, and a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago.
Commercial Club of Chicago, Members Directory A-Z (Past Research)
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
James S. Crown is a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago, and the vice chairman for the Aspen Institute (think tank).
Lester Crown is a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago, and was a lifetime trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank).    
Katie Couric is a trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank), a director at the Harlem Village Academies, and a friend of Jonathan Klein.
Robin Hood Foundation was a funder for the Harlem Village Academies.
Jeff Zucker is a director emeritus for the Robin Hood Foundation, and the president of CNN Worldwide.
CNN Worldwide is a division of CNN.
Jonathan Klein was the president of CNN, and a friend of Katie Couric.
Walter Isaacson was the chairman & CEO for CNN, and is the president & CEO for the Aspen Institute (think tank).
Katie Couric is a trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank), a director at the Harlem Village Academies, and a friend of Jonathan Klein.
Robin Hood Foundation was a funder for the Harlem Village Academies.
John Legend is a director at Harlem Village Academies, a performer in the Yes We Can video, judged the advertisement competition for Obama in 30 Seconds, a performer in the We Are One Inaugural Celebration, and a director at the Teach for America.
Walter Isaacson is the chairman emeritus for Teach for America, the president & CEO for the Aspen Institute (think tank), and was the chairman & CEO for CNN.
Katie Couric is a trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank), a director at the Harlem Village Academies, and a friend of Jonathan Klein.
Robin Hood Foundation was a funder for the Harlem Village Academies.
Jonathan Klein was the president of CNN, and a friend of Katie Couric.

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