Obama’s School days as Barry

Later Obama met Eric Moore. They were both from Hawaii and were both enrolled at Los Angeles Occidental College. They both had the same circle of friends and attended similar hot spots. They were worldlier than their classmates but they fit well into the sun and fun attitude of their surroundings. Moore hoped to experience more of the African American culture at Occidental as his previous school in Boulder, Colorado was predominantly white. Moore saw something special in Obama.

Obama was well liked in the school and could easily mingle in different groups due to his mixed ethnicity. He was cool and collected and never had to study for long hours as Moore did. Moore would call Obama by his birth name rather than Barry as most of his other classmates did. He knew Obama preferred to be called "Barry" because it made it. Simpler and he did not always have to explain the origin of his name. Moore called him "Barrack "anyway. As he felt there was an importance to recognizing and embracing ones heritage.

Wahid Hamid, an old friend who attended Obama’s wedding, always called him Barry. Hamid understands that Obama finally embraced his name and all the complexities that came with it. The use of “Barry “could also be perceived as an escape from his ethnicity and his true identity. Hamid himself was trying to find his way in America as a Pakistani immigrant. Moore remembers when he saw Obama at the 2004 Democratic convention and thought back to the day when Obama gave a speech at the Black Student Alliance and other groups. The speech was concerning the divestment from South Africa. Moore remembers Obama’s presence, his smooth, bellowing voice. He remembers feeling nervous about the whole ordeal, but Obama was again cool and collect. When Moore saw Obama on television giving that remarkable and memorable speech, called all his friends asking them if they had seen He couldn’t believe it.

Obama writes in his book about that very speech which he believed was a huge turning point in his life for many reasons. He was excited and astonished that his voice could capture the attention of the audience and their response in applause was rewarding, however he also realized that he had no true conviction in what he was talking about. It was merely just words.

Obama started to surround himself with students who were into politics and social studies. He spent a lot of time with groups which discussed world politics and social injustice. Obama needed a change in his environment. He told his friends that he needed more stimulation. They all tried to convince him to remain at Occidental, but Obama was determined to search for something new, to learn more and experience different peoples perspectives. He had it in his head to apply to Columbia University in New York. He thought if it was diversity and a whole new experience that he sought, he would definitely find it in New York.