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‘Who Are We: A Conversation with Barack Obama at Hamilton College’ Premieres Feb. 16

by Lauren Easton

February 2, 2026

WCNY, Central New York’s public communications organization, is proud to announce the premiere of its new documentary, “Who Are We: A Conversation with Barack Obama at Hamilton College,” airing Monday, Feb. 16 at 10 p.m. on WCNY-TV and streaming live at pbs.org/livestream.

Former President Barack Obama waited 72 days into the second term of President Donald Trump before commenting publicly on the actions of the new administration. In a talk at Hamilton College, a small liberal arts school in upstate New York, Obama told the audience he had a few things to say.

In that talk, President Obama provided thoughtful and measured reflections on the country and the post–World War II order that he believed was being threatened by the current occupant of his former office. He offered the students and faculty in attendance a constructive perspective on the state of the nation, discussing the importance of due process, the rule of law, freedom of speech, the challenges and opportunities ahead for the country, and the historic role of the citizen in American democracy.

The film is built around the nexus of the former president’s remarks placed in historical and contemporary context. During the film, former President Obama notes that it’s a good time for Americans to ask ourselves: Who are we? The documentary includes highlights from speeches by past presidents that resonate with the remarks that President Obama made that evening of April 3, 2025. These echoes include moments from Dwight Eisenhower’s “Farewell Address,” John F. Kennedy’s “Strategy of Peace” at American University, FDR’s “Four Freedoms,” and Ronald Reagan’s speech at the “Brandenburg Gate,” along with analysis by current Hamilton College history professors.

This film is intended for anyone who cares about the United States and was unable to attend the Obama talk in person at Hamilton College.

“Public media exists to provide context, clarity, and space for meaningful civic dialogue,” said Mitch Gelman, President and CEO of WCNY. “This documentary does exactly that by pairing President Obama’s thoughtful reflections with historic voices and scholarly insight. ‘Who Are We’ invites viewers to reflect on our shared values, our responsibilities as citizens, and the enduring questions that shape our democracy.”

To learn more, visit wcny.org/whoarewe. For viewing information, visit wcny.org/wheretowatch or stream live at wcny.org/livestream.