Signs for OBAMA, BARACK

Meaning: ASL name sign given for U.S. President Barack Obama.

This name sign is adopted by the American Deaf community. There was a couple of unofficial signs, but this one is more preferred. The handshape "O" represents Obama's initial surname and the second handshape represents the American flag behind "O" in the campaign. It's inspired by Obama's logo in his campaign for president: O for Obama and the 4 handshape with the wavy motion for the flag.

Other name signs for former U.S. presidents: Ronald Reagan.

Written ASL

[Note: ASL writing is not an official standard. This sign language writing remains in a state of open space to allow room for experiment, evolution, and improvement.]

ASL written for OBAMA

Written ASL digit for "Obama Barack" contributed by Jolanta in the ASLwrite community, 2018.

Deaf Culture and tidbits

Deaf Anecdote

Dr. Khadijat Rashid (Black Deaf American), "My mother tried so many remedies to see if she could restore my hearing. She tried everything and it was not until I got to Gallaudet that she realized I was happy and just fine the way I am. In 2010, I took a White House fellowship under President Obama. I was invited to a Christmas party at the White House, so I brought her as my guest. It was an absolutely surreal experience for her. She had the time of her life. She saw both the President and First Lady! The next morning I woke to a letter she wrote to me about that experience, "...of all my children you were the one who brought me to the White House..." I know she could never have imagined that when I became deaf at nine. I will treasure that letter for the rest of my life." Ref

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