
President Obama's handwritten apology to an art historian
The White House says sorry
On January 30 President Obama managed to irate art historians worldwide when he made some "glib remarks" about the importance of a history of art degree when trying to get a job, in a speech gave on employment training and manufacturing proposals.
After the speech, Obama received a swarm of emails from frustrated art historians, with the President now apologising to one of them - Dr. Ann Johns, in a handwritten note that has recently been released. Read the full letter below:
"Ann -
Let me apologize for my off-the-cuff remarks. I was making a point about the jobs market, not the value of art history. As it so happens, art history was one of my favorite subjects in high school, and it has helped me take in a great deal of joy in my life that I might otherwise have missed.
So please pass on my apology for the glib remark to the entire department, and understand that I was trying to encourage young people who may not be predisposed to a four year college experience to be open to technical training that can lead them to an honorable career.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama"