“Obama” is one of the standout tracks from ANOHNI’s powerful and devastating Hopelessness, one of the top five albums of 2016. The swirling electronic track expresses disappointment with President Barack Obama after his administration began with such hope. In a detached, haunting tone, the British born singer takes our sitting POTUS to task for NSA spying, increased drone warfare, the flight of Edward Snowden, and the imprisonment of Chelsea Manning.
ANOHNI has how released a video for “Obama”, along with an open letter to the man it’s named for requesting that he free Chelsea Manning from prison. The clip shares the stark style of her previous visuals for “Marrow”, “Hopelessness”, and “Drone Bomb Me”, as stand-ins for the singer lip sync the lyrics for the song.
Watch the video for “Obama” above and read ANOHNI’s open letter below.
“OBAMA, I voted for you. I campaigned for you across Europe.
Like thousands of others, in the newspapers and on TV, I told European
press that you were a feminist, a kind and reasonable man, a just and
fair man, that you would restore our country’s dignity.
OBAMA, Please let Chelsea Manning out of prison.
Recognize her tremendous sacrifice, and her vulnerability.
With Trump incoming, if you leave Chelsea in prison,
she will never see the light of day, or worse.
If you leave Chelsea Manning in prison for whistle blowing
You send the final message to our nation
that the Obama administration brutally punished moral courage
in these unforgiving United States.
She has suffered Enough, President Obama.
She poses no threat.
Show us the heart of the Obama administration now.
The election is over.
There is no political advantage left in allowing Chelsea to perish in
prison.
Have mercy on her, Obama,
friend of the trans community:
I implore you to Free Chelsea Manning.”
