Final Chapter

Changes never seen before in society and politics, started developing quickly after the election of

President Obama, many supported and approved these changes while others condemned his ideologies

and actions and some members of the society fought back to maintain and keep the traditional

American values. These fights became stronger when the next president of the United States, President

Trump took office in 2017.

In 2009, President Barack Obama became the 44th President of the United States. He marked history as

being the first African American to hold office. During his term, an operation was held to capture the

extremist leader of Al Qaeda, Osama Bin Laden, who planned and executed the terrorist attacks

on September 9, 2001. “During the raid, which lasted approximately 40 minutes, five people,

including bin Laden and one of his adult sons, were killed by U.S. gunfire” (Osama bin Laden

killed by U.S. forces, History.com Editors 2011). Many Americans viewed this as a way of justice

for the death of almost 3,000 people.

Under his term, The Affordable Care Act also known as “Obamacare” was signed into law in

March of 2010. This law was designed to make health care more universal and affordable. As a

result, many people support the act while others strongly oppose it. ” ...has attracted both

enthusiastic supporters who say it saved their lives and saved them money and passionate

opponents who decry the hefty premiums and the mandate that requires nearly all Americans

get health insurance.” (Tami Luhby, why so many people hate Obamacare? CNNMoney, 2017).

This law still continues today, and the debate on whether it should stay or be repealed

continues.
In 2012, President Obama was re-elected for a second term defeating his opponent Mitt

Romney. During this term, a major change for the gay and lesbian community was won in 2015.

“In the 5-4 decision, Justice Kennedy wrote the opinion of the court, saying the equal

protection clause of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution requires states to issue marriage

licenses to same-sex couples.” (Scott Neuman, Obama: Supreme Court Same-sex Marriage

Ruling ‘A Victory For America,’ Npr.org). After many decades of protests for equal rights, the

gay community was given equal laws to heterosexual couples under the law.

Marijuana has been illegal since 1937 by federal law, but since 2012 many states, individually,

have accepted marijuana either for medical or recreational purposes or both. “But two-thirds of

Americans now are in favor of legalizing marijuana, up from just 44% a decade ago, according

to Gallup” (Domenico Montanaro, The top moments from a decade that reshaped American

politics, NPR.org, 2019). Even though states are legalizing its use many people still can get

arrested for its use and be charged with a drug felony. Although many argue that it potentially

helps people who suffer from medical problems, others oppose it due to its connection to

marijuana-related crimes.

In 2016, a strong debate between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton

developed during the 45th presidential race. President Trump’s campaign and slogan “Make

America Great Again,” won the electoral votes against, Clinton’s “I’m With Her,” with 304 v 227.

“Trump capitalized on widespread discontent among white working-class voters, targeting the

Washington establishment, undocumented immigrants, and political correctness” (Sarah Pruit,

14 Major events of the 2010s, History.com, 2019). Both campaigns started a strong division in
the country on social and political beliefs and values between Whites, African-Americans,

Latinos and other immigrants.

The Black Lives Matter Movement started in 2013 due to the acquittal of George Zimmerman

on the murder of Trayvon Martin. “Our members organize and build local power to intervene in

violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes” (blacklivesmatter.com). Like

the Civil rights movement and the Black Power from the 1960s, Black Lives Matter has

protested and demanded intervention by the government to intervene in the continuous police

brutality and deadly oppression by the white population. Two of the most popular cases after

Martin’s murder are the murder of Mike Brown by police officer Darren Wilson and the murder

of George Floyd under, the custody of police officer Derek Chauvin.

These events have shaped our society nowadays. From the Election of President Obama to the

election of President Trump, many have voiced their oppositions strongly against each other

with protests and deadly violence. Once again, we, as a society, are starting to see many

discriminating actions and attacks towards groups of different races, gender identity, sex,

political beliefs, and American standards.