Group #1: According to Adam Mayblum, “the very moment the first plane was hijacked,
democracy won.” What does he mean by that?
Group #2: Why does the author say he feels guilty? Are there other signs throughout his
narrative that on 9/11 he did or said things he regrets?
Group #3: What are some examples of bravery from the essay?
Group #4: What do President Obama’s family seem to want him to know about his father?
Group #5: Why doesn’t President Obama believe the story at first about his father’s encounter
with racism? What about the story gives him hope?
Group #6: Does President Obama make a connection between his loneliness in NYC and the
mystery surrounding his father?