President Barack Obama proved on Monday "You Can Go Home Again," in spite of protestations from Thomas Wolfe, appearing on a public stage on the University of Chicago campus in his Hyde Park neighborhood in a triumphant return. He was looking fit and relaxed after a three-month absence from the awesome day-to-day duties and responsibilities of the American presidency. He returns with the backdrop of a high approval rating of his presidency and his post-presidency.

President Obama participated at the school in a panel discussion on the importance of civic engagement and community organizing with young leaders from the Chicago area.

It was more about what he didn't talk about, than what was talked about with the young people that joined him on the stage.

Obama avoided the subject of Donald Trump

The words "Donald Trump" did not come up. Nor did "The Wall" or "Mexico is Paying for the Wall." Or even "Repealing and Replacing Obamacare" was not even broached. Not even close.

What he did emphasize was his beliefs of the importance of supporting the next generation of leaders around the country and around the world.

The panelists include a high school senior, current undergraduates, a veteran and recent college graduates who are actively involved in their communities. President Obama believes that the future will be built by the next generation of young Americans who will have the drive, instinct, and ability to solve our biggest challenges.

Introduced by a U of C undergraduate student

He was introduced by a University of Chicago undergraduate, Richard Omoniyi-Shoyoola, who compared President Obama’s life as one of the great historical narratives in America, placing him alongside Frederick Douglass and Teddy Roosevelt. “His legacy is still being understood, cemented and challenged.

But the man stands as ready as ever to assume one of the most essential roles of democracy, that of the citizen,” Omoniyi-Shoyoola said.

The panelists included the following: Tiffany Brown Ph.D, Graduate of Chicago State University and Kenwood Academy; High School; Ramuel Figueroa, Undergraduate at Roosevelt University; Max M. Freedman, Undergraduate at the University of Chicago; Kelsey McClear, Undergraduate at Loyola University Chicago; Harish Patel- Graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago; Ayanna Watkins, Senior at Kenwood Academy High School.

Obama led the discussion on finding 'common ground'

Obama was clearly the moderator and leading the discussion in talking about "finding common ground" and issues revolving around the subject.

He pointed out that listening only to people you agree with does not solve issues or further the debate. He asked how we can engage more young people and asked the young panelists for concrete examples. One student talked about what it was like to be a Republican at the University of Chicago and whether he felt his voice was drowned out on the left-leaning campus. They also discussed the "new media" which is now so fragmented and the problem of social media being as the main source of information for young people.

One student talked about what it was like to be a Republican at the University of Chicago and whether he felt his voice was drowned out on the left-leaning campus.

They also discussed the "new media" which is now so fragmented and the problem of social media being as the main source of information for young people. This will not be the last time we hear from Obama, just the beginning. He is currently writing a book about the journey of arriving at the White House.
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