Responding to a question about people's favorite "domino effects" in history, Reddit user IAmNotScottBakula introduced a theory on the unlikely connection.
IAmNotScottBakula/Reddit
The theory states that the mediocre reviews of Star Trek: Voyager led to Jeri Ryan's casting which led to the divorce between her and then-husband Jack Ryan.
Jack Ryan's scandalous divorce proceedings were leaked and the details forced him to drop out of the 2004 Senate election in Illinois which helped pave the way for Obama's victory which launched him onto the national stage.
HBO via Giphy
People were astounded by how plausible the theory sounds.
Others were more skeptical.
Whether you're sold or not, the randomness resulting in history is incredibly exciting.
The complete series of Star Trek: Voyager is available here.
In observance of Black History Month, Perry posted the photo of the two gentlemen taken inside the comedian's Los Angeles home library on Instagram.
He wrote of the elegant furniture:
"I bought these chairs at auction."
"They were once owned by Abraham Lincoln."
"We sat in them and had an incredible conversation."
"This post is to celebrate Black History Month while marking a moment in American history," he said, tagging the former POTUS.
"We both had an opportunity to sit in those chairs and have a conversation."
He went on to describe the powerful moment of being in the presence of:
"A sitting President [Obama]. A President [Lincoln] in the past who freed the slaves. Two African-American men sitting in the chairs having a conversation."
@TheView @tylerperry I Adore Tyler. He is a very Good Man. And, PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, I miss you. GOAT https://t.co/2jele0W1oq— 🌻🇺🇦VictoriaV💙💛4PEACE ☆Biden/Harris☆ #HR1 #HR4 (@🌻🇺🇦VictoriaV💙💛4PEACE ☆Biden/Harris☆ #HR1 #HR4) 1551379405
There was renewed adoration for the nostalgic photograph.
@tylerperry/Instagram
@tylerperry/Instagram
@tylerperry/Instagram
@tylerperry/Instagram
@tylerperry/Instagram
@tylerperry/Instagram
Can we talk about the impressive book collection?
@tylerperry/Instagram
@tylerperry/Instagram
@tylerperry/Instagram
Never one to mince words, The View co-host Joy Behar chimed in with her own timeline of events.
"When I saw this picture when I knew the story, I said 'we had Abraham Lincoln, Barack Obama, and we have a thug in the White House."
Perry had invited Obama over to his house for a fundraiser in Los Angeles and explained:
"this was a very emotional day for him because it was the day that the shooting happened in South Carolina."
Eight people were killed when a gunman opened fire inside the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church during a prayer service, predominantly attended by black church goers, around 9 p.m.
The church pastor and a South Carolina state senator were identified among those who lost their lives in the church that night. Two other people were rushed to the hospital, one of whom died.
The tragic incident was a hate crime deliberately targeting African-Americans.
The massacre was particularly devastating for Perry, who grew up as a member of the AME Church.
He posted a message on Facebook following the tragedy.
"I grew up in the AME Church. My aunt and uncle are pastors and a bishop in the church. I know these kinds of prayer meetings well and I've been in a lot of them! It could have been any of us!"
"The AME church, so close to home for me, so personal. What do you do when you think prayer is not enough? You pray some more. My heart and soul go out to the families of Emmanuel AME church!!"
You can watch the whole interview of Tyler Perry on The View in the YouTube clip, below.
Tyler Perry On Final Madea Movie And 25 Years In Hollywood I The Viewwww.youtube.com
Sophia's classmates teased her because she had two dads in a loving relationship. It was difficult for the child to bear.
So she wrote a letter to her "hero" President Barack Obama.
The letter reads,
"Dear Barack Obama,
It's Sophia Bailey Klugh. Your friend who invited you to dinner. You don't remember okay that's fine.
But I just wanted to tell you that I am so glad you agree that two men can love each other because I have two dads and they love each other. But at school kids think that it's gross and weird but it really hurts my heart and feelings.
So I come to you because you are my hero. If you were me and you had two dads that loved each other, and kids at school teased you about it, what would you do?
Please respond!
I just wanted to say you really inspire me, and I hope you win on being the president. You would totally make the world a better place.
Your friend Sophia
P.S. Please tell your daughters Hi for me!"
It's a heartbreaking letter, and not the kind of thing a child should ever go through.
President Obama, ever the picture of class, responded to the letter, empathy evident in his reply.
Facebook: Jonathan Bailey
"Dear Sophia,
Thank you for writing me such a thoughtful letter about your family. Reading it made me proud to be your president and even more hopeful about the future of our nation.
In America, no two families look the same. We celebrate this diversity. And we recognize that whether you have two dads or one mom what matters above all is the love we show one another. You are very fortunate to have two parents who care deeply for you. They are lucky to have such an exceptional daughter in you.
Our differences unite us. You and I are blessed to live in a country where we are born equal no matter what we look like on the outside, where we grow up, or who our parents are. A good rule is to treat others the way you hope they will treat you. Remind your friends at school about this rule if they say something that hurts your feelings.
Thanks again for taking the time to write to me. I'm honored to have your support and inspired by your compassion. I'm sorry I couldn't make it to dinner, but I'll be sure to tell Sasha and Malia you say hello.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama"
All these years later and this letter is still a perfect representation of the former president's class and compassion. It gets shared every few years when we need it.
The fathers of the girl have shared it themselves.
Barack Obama wrote a beautiful letter to our 10-year-old daughter who was being bullied about her gay parents. https://t.co/pZIUS7CD9h— 2DadsWithBaggage (@2DadsWithBaggage) 1549345590
We really miss having him as our president.
Obama’s letter responding to a little girl who wrote him after kids at her school told her it was gross she had two… https://t.co/rmkzVvLMSK— Amanda Demands (@Amanda Demands) 1540926648
Another example of Obama’s decency. You gotta love the man! Thank you Mr President! https://t.co/AndgP96B85… https://t.co/o4PUprdmXQ— FailureAday (@FailureAday) 1549346324
Sometimes it only takes a few minutes to send a few words of support and kindness to a child with a broken heart. The fact President Obama had that capacity while still running the country is commendable.
Thank you, Mr. President.