Long lines littered through the downtown on Tuesday night as people waited to pile into the Mile One Centre to hear the 44th President of the United States of America speak.
One line went from the Mile One doors, all the way back passed the City Hall parking garage.
Barack Obama left the packed house at the Mile One Centre in awe. He sat on stage and took questions from moderator Zita Cobb on various issues like business and corporations, communities and of course, climate change and immigration.
He says if he could’ve had another term as President, climate change would be at the top of his priority list.
Obama cracked a few cute jokes about noticing the island spirit shared between his birthplace, Hawaii, and Newfoundland. But he said the main difference is he’s probably not going to swim here.
He also described the effect that the internet and social media can have to the degradation of tangible communities. Unless we have that connection, he says in some cases it can lead to an echo chamber of thought, fostering extreme views.
He highlighted the value of community, and how small towns foster a real human-to-human interaction, which is becoming increasingly important to protect. He described how it’s harder to stereotype someone that you meet face to face, even if they may appear different than you, or have differing opinions to yours.
Former President Still Has the Knack for Inspiring Crowds
Meanwhile, those who took in the “Conversation with President Barack Obama” were not disappointed. Many said they loved what Obama had to say, felt as if the topics discussed were important, and left the Mile One with a sense of inspiration.
At one point, Obama said it’s important to focus on what you want to do, rather than what you want to be, and it resonated well with people.
One woman said the quote was her biggest take away from the event, while another man said it was an important thing in a time where people are often moving between what jobs and what skills will be needed here in ten years.
He says it made you think more about the impact you can have, rather than what you want.
And, it was a special night for the Shallaway Youth Choir. One member, Desiree Esperanza says it was an amazing experience, and the biggest crowd she’s ever performed for.
She says she can’t explain the feeling, and was completely overwhelmed with emotions.