UMVA has learned that Valerie Jarrett, a former advisor to Barack Obama, sparked widespread ridicule on social media with her remarks at the opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center.
The event, held in Chicago, drew a massive crowd of liberal celebrities, including Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, and Christina Aguilera, to celebrate the opening of the center. However, Jarrett's decision to acknowledge that the center was built on "stolen land" and mention the original inhabitants fell flat with many attendees and online observers.
Jarrett stated, "We'd also like to take a moment to acknowledge the original inhabitants of the land upon which we are gathered here today. We honor the Anishinaabe, the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, the Odawa, and the Potawatomi Nations." This move was met with scorn and mockery on social media, with many users questioning why Obama and his associates didn't return the land if they were acknowledging it was stolen.
Social media users responded with a barrage of sarcastic comments, with some calling the Obama center a "giant trash can" and others wondering when Obama would give back the stolen land. One user joked, "We also acknowledge the Stegosaurus, the T-Rex, and the fallen Velociraptors who roamed these lands long ago…" Another user quipped, "In 200 years Mother Earth will bless this land with a giant garbage can!"
The backlash was swift and merciless, with many users expressing incredulity that the Obama center was built on land that was taken from Native American tribes. Some users pointed out that the center's construction was a prime example of the Democrats' hypocrisy, while others simply mocked the absurdity of the situation.
The controversy highlights the challenges of navigating complex issues of historical guilt and cultural sensitivity, and the risks of being perceived as tone-deaf or insincere. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: Jarrett's comments have sparked a firestorm of criticism and ridicule that shows no signs of dying down.
