New Delhi: The former President of the United States Barack Obama shared a video on Twitter, of him reuniting with Jacob Philadelphia from the iconic “Hair Like Mine” photo. Jacob Philadelphia who was 5-years-old, met President Obama in the Oval Office back in 2009, when he went for a visit with his parents and elder brother. During his interaction, Jacob asked one question whether the president’s hair was the same as his own, to which Obama responded that he could find out for himself and leaned over letting the 5-year-old touch his hair which led to the iconic photograph.
After almost 13 years, the former president spoke to Jacob Philadelphia to congratulate him on his high school graduation. Jacob told Obama his plans to join the University of Memphis adding that he will be pursuing Political Science as his course.
The video opens with Obama calling Jacob and asking him if he remembered him. “I remember you telling me that your hair was going to be grey next time,” Jacob said in response, to which Obama laughed and replied, “And I was not lying!”
Jacob said that meeting President Obama in the Oval Office was a “pretty big highlight of my life”. Jacob also spoke about how the iconic moment impacted him. He said that it was wonderful to see representation in the government “because if I get to see another Black man at the top, be at that pinnacle, then I want to follow that lead”.
The photo which was in his office throughout his presidency, Obama said, embodied one of the hopes that he had when he first started running for the office.
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“I remember telling Michelle and some of my staff, you know, I think that if I were to win, the day I was sworn into office, young people, particularly African American people, people of colour, outsiders, folks who maybe didn't always feel like they belonged, they'd look at themselves differently. To see a person who looked like them in the Oval Office. It would speak to Black kids and Latino kids and gay kids and young girls -- how they could see the world open up for them,” he added.
The video has garnered over 1.4 million views and thousands of comments. Many of the comments pointed out how representation mattered in high positions. One comment read, “Representation matters! We must continue to create and lean into opportunities for our children to see themselves in their leaders. In schools, businesses, public service, and even the White House.”
“Representation matters. It matters for little Black kids; it matters for 44-year-old Indian-American women. I love this video so much”, a user wrote.
“I love this. I remember this photo well. So amazing to see and hear from young Jacob, who is now graduating from high school. I appreciated and still appreciate everything you did and continue to do for our country & our kids. These videos are great,” added another.