A subtly hilarious moment between Barack Obama and George Bush finally proved that we all have something in common with middle-aged politicians.
After the historic inauguration of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History on Saturday, the two presidents shared a moment that literally all of us have had on a Friday night: Bush tried to take a huge group selfie at the party and ended up having to call in Obama for help.
George W Bush needs an assist taking a selfie at @NMAAHC dedication, enlists Pres. Obama https://t.co/t90usvx1eT https://t.co/XxyhiNsdN5 — ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) September 24, 2016
Now listen, I'm not going to say definitively that President Obama and George Bush are secret BFFs, but the evidence can't be ignored.
How else would we explain their patience while going through all the stages of trying to take the perfect selfie? We all know how it goes.
First, Bush tried to let the woman next to him take the selfie.
Then, after someone else got in the picture, Bush tried it, probably because he has longer arms.
Then, he notices his good friend Barry (he probably calls him Barry, guys) and asks him to take the picture.
But wait, do we do it vertically or horizontally?
OK, showtime!
Hold on, gotta back up first. Now it's showtime.
Oh, and if you're wondering why Saturday's event was such a big deal, that's easy to explain. The inauguration occurred at the National Mall, the site of the historic museum.
It is the 19th and latest Smithsonian establishment, and the Obamas marked its opening with a touching and symbolic gesture, ringing a bell from a historic church with a family that spans for generations of African Americans.
Pres. Obama rings bell dedicating @NMAAHC with four generations of African American family https://t.co/Q4Cggkec7m https://t.co/sao5SnzXOk — ABC News (@ABC) September 24, 2016
The president said he hopes the museum can provide important context for today's biggest issues and help different people understand each other.
Perhaps they can help a white visitor understand the pain and anger of demonstrators in places like Ferguson and Charlotte, but it can also help black visitors appreciate the fact that not only is this younger generation carrying on traditions of the past, but within the white communities across the nation, we see the sincerity of law enforcement officers and officials who, in fits and starts, are struggling to understand and are trying to do the right thing.
George Bush, for his part, was the one who signed the legislation that authorized the construction of the museum back in 2003.
So yeah, they definitely had reason to be in good spirits on Saturday. And they were even cheerful enough to take the perfect selfie.
