THREAD: As we await President Trump's remarks tomorrow at the UN on American sovereignty and values, a reminder that 6 years ago to the day, a different U.S. president gave a speech during UN week focused entirely on human trafficking. A few thoughts spurred by the speeches -- 1/
In a speech and rollout of new policies to combat slavery (you can read it here: goo.gl/xVyU9t), Obama didn’t say that the U.S. government would only help people when they had the right skin color or national origin (the term “shithole countries" didn’t appear once!) 2/
He didn’t resort to fuzzy math and misdirection to justify why the United States should turn its back on refugees and those fleeing persecution. 3/ 
He didn’t tout the American people’s generosity while trying (unsuccessfully!) to gut the vital aid we give to those starving or in need of post-disaster assistance. 4/
He didn’t leave allies concerned that he would abandon the multilateral institutions that have undergirded an unprecedented period of American and world peace and prosperity. 5/
And he didn’t echo Stalin, Mao, and the other worst mass-murderers of the 20th century in declaring a free press “the enemy of the people.” 6/
Instead, what did Obama do? He called human trafficking what it is — a form of modern slavery. He spoke about the need to help those living overseas fight disease, because doing so helps the United States. He spoke about lifting up women and girls. 7/
He tied the progress we’ve made at home—halting, insufficient progress—to the leadership we’ve shown on the global stage. And he did so while crediting leaders of both American political parties. 8/
He also credited many of America’s religious leaders for heeding the call of Deuteronomy 10:18 — "He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing.” 9/
Obama explained how the United States leads by example. And he wasn’t afraid to point out when we fall short at home. He did this not to show that the United States is weak, but because he knew that we are strong. 10/
Over and over, Obama’s message was that the United States leads by example. It was truly America first — first in doing what’s right, secure in the knowledge that doing the hard thing works to our long-term national interest. 11/
Finally, Obama’s speech was about helping human beings. Marie from the Congo. Ima from Indonesia. Sheila from the Bronx. 12/
To each, Obama said “We see you. We hear you. We insist on your dignity. And we share your belief that if just given the chance, you will forge a life equal to your talents and worthy of your dreams.” 13/
These are American values. This is what the United States stands for. Not, I fear, what we’re going to hear from the President tomorrow morning. But our enduring values nonetheless. END.
