michelle obama commencement speech transcript

Extend your content reach and maximize your engagement rates. And youve taken so many different paths to this moment. Then there was the first time I was on a magazine cover -- it was a cartoon drawing of me with a huge afro and machine gun. Spent hours practicing and performing. (Applause. Not when too many young people still languish in communities ripped apart by violence and despair. It can make you feel like your life somehow doesnt matter -- that youre like the invisible man that Tuskegee grad Ralph Ellison wrote about all those years ago. I really dont want to follow those two. YouTube Michelle also explained how to channel anger for good. May 16, 2020 at 9:59 p.m. EDT. (Applause.) (Applause.) Yay, moms! The founders of this school didnt just decide to admit women and African American students and then pat themselves on the back and say job well done. No, even in those early days, folks here at Oberlin were attending anti-slavery meetings, shivering on rough wooden benches in unheated, unfinished buildings. And no matter what path you choose, I want you to make sure its you choosing it, and not someone else. And those feelings are playing out in communities like Baltimore and Ferguson and so many others across this country. She appealed directly to the youth facing the incoming . Thats how we make progress for ourselves and for our country. So dont ever, ever let anyone tell you that youre too angry or that you should keep your mouth shut. So I just want to take it all in. Just look at the story of Oberlin College. I wanted to be here to celebrate all of you, this school, this city. God bless you. Obama spoke . It was also Michelle Obama's first commencement address as First Lady. (Applause.) You see, its wonderful to volunteer at your local homeless shelterplease do thatbut you also need to attend the city council meetings and make sure the zoning laws dont shut that shelter down. (Laughter and applause.) Obama grew up near the school, and during her emotional commencement address, she said she wanted to share "the real story" about the South Side, a story about resilience and courage in the face of . Public education is our greatest pathway to opportunity in America. And your salutatorian, whose Yemeni roots inspired her to study Yemini womens writing and to advocate for girls in her community, urging them to find their own voices, to tell their own stories. Heres the last part. And think about President Roosevelts struggle to pass the New Deal a few decades later. And in the face of all of that clamor, you might have an overwhelming instinct to just run the other way as fast as you can. Graduation from college or high school is a culmination of years of hard work. But that is a heavy way to live. Former First Lady Michelle Obama gave a commencement address online to the graduating class of 2020. Peloton: Get a great cardio workout at home with the Peloton Bike!Right now Peloton has a limited-time offer: get $100 off accessories when you purchase the Peloton Bike! If we dont agree with every last bit of their approach. You've got a long day ahead. We always have been. And then I want you to take a deep breath and trust yourselves to chart your own course and make your mark on the world. Or when they opened your eyes to an injustice you never knew existed. But eventually, I realized that if I wanted to keep my sanity and not let others define me, there was only one thing I could do, and that was to have faith in Gods plan for me. Calculate how much it costs to transcribe, caption, or subtitle your content. The student-led initiative to have her speak included a YouTube video, Facebook campaign and more than 900 Valentine's Day cards. I want to start by thanking President Krislov for that very kind introduction, as well as all of the trustees, the faculty, the staff here at Oberlin. And that's why we support the participate of women is parliaments and peace processes, schools and the economy. Graduates, that is not who we are. I cant wait to see what you all achieve in the years ahead. To have you be seen, but not heard. And I'm so glad to be here. Yes! (Applause.) I know that you can climb a long way up the ladder selling falsehoods and blaming others for your own shortcomings, shunning those with less privilege and advantage. Ask yourself, do you know where your polling place is? Instead, its important for you to understand that your experience facing and overcoming adversity is actually one of your biggest advantages. And at the end of the day, by staying true to the me Ive always known, I found that this journey has been incredibly freeing. And dont just ask yourselves these questions. FDRs plan for Social Security was called socialist, a fraud on the workingman. One opponent even stated that it would end the progress of a great country. So that debate was pretty contentious, too. (Applause.) Generation after generation, this country has become more equal, more inclusive, more fair, more free. And Im not going to lie to youfor many of you, this is going to be a pretty big transition. Youve got families up in the stands who will support you every step of the way. Recently . Next, Ive always felt a deep sense of obligation to make the biggest impact possible with this incredible platform. And heres what I really want you to know -- you have got everything you need to do this. Because in this country, its never been each person for themselves. (Applause.) So please enjoy this moment. Im inspired by your commitment to service and social justice. Thank you all. So there will be times, just like for those Airmen, when you feel like folks look right past you, or they see just a fraction of who you really are. (Applause.) Former First Lady Michelle Obama gave a commencement address online to the graduating class of 2020. But also by the rumbling of the age old fault lines that our country was built on the lines of race and power that are now once again. (Applause.). And now, graduates, its your turn to take up that cause. And, graduates, that is how you will carry on the proud legacy of this great institution for generations to come. For others, it was the notion that Obama's speech, tied to the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. . And somehow, you still found time to give back to your communities - tutoring young people, reading to kids, volunteering at hospitals. So we need to invest in and strengthen our public universities today, and for generations to come. And finally, think about how even with all the gridlock and polarization in Washington, we have made so much change these past six years: 12 million new jobs. And I know that these little indignities are obviously nothing compared to what folks across the country are dealing with every single day -- those nagging worries that youre going to get stopped or pulled over for absolutely no reason; the fear that your job application will be overlooked because of the way your name sounds; the agony of sending your kids to schools that may no longer be separate, but are far from equal; the realization that no matter how far you rise in life, how hard you work to be a good person, a good parent, a good citizen -- for some folks, it will never be enough. (Laughter.). And finally, most of all, I want to congratulate the Oberlin Class of 2015! Now, those Airmen could easily have let that experience clip their wings. He was a Hungarian immigrant whose harrowing escape from Nazism and communism shaped both his talent for business and his commitment to philanthropy. Thank you -- thank you so much for this warm welcome, this tremendous hospitality. (Applause. The two-hour event, "Show Me Your. You have to persuade them, and you have to compromise with them. Others choose to focus on their education and use that degree to address these issues and build a better life for themselves and those around them. CNN Read former first lady Michelle Obama's speech from the 2020 Democratic National Convention, as prepared for delivery: Good evening, everyone. In an impassioned speech to the graduating class of 2020, former First Lady Michelle Obama wished to speak to young adults as a mentor, mother and citizen who's concerned for their future. Thank you so. You made it! Whoa. Now, did these compromises make these leaders sellouts? Congratulations again on your graduation. A woman who is, first and foremost, a mom. And in so many ways, that never-failing miracle -- the constant work to rise above the bumps in our path to greater freedom for our brothers and sisters -- that has always been the story of African Americans here at Tuskegee. (Applause.) Folks like Lucy Stone and FDR, they didnt get caught up in their egos or their ideology. Well done. And the answers to those questions have resulted in the woman who stands before you today. They sat down with leaders they disagreed with because they knew that if they wanted their vision to be made real, it needed to be made law. He kept lifting other folks up through education. So I am here today to talk to you, not as the former first lady, but as a real life person, a mother, a mentor, a citizen concerned about your future and the future of our country. MRS. OBAMA: Thank you all. Surely their kids could go to school together. You all, I mean, this has been the most fun I think I've had at a commencement ever. Generation after generation, students here have shown that same grit, that same resilience to soar past obstacles and outrages -- past the threat of countryside lynchings; past the humiliation of Jim Crow; past the turmoil of the Civil Rights era. "As a child, my first doll was Malibu. But these were my choices, my issues. By channeling that discomfort you feel into activism and a democracy that was designed to respond to those who vote. Michelle Obama Speech at Spelman's 2011 Commencement part 2/2 Press Release First Lady Michelle Obama To Deliver Commencement Address To The Spelman College Class Of 2011 Debbie Allen and Phylicia Rashad to receive Honorary Degrees Teach For America CEO Wendy Kopp to receive National Community Service Award Deep and loving connections with others, honest work that leads to lasting contributions to your community. (Applause.) And the truth is, graduates, after four years of thoughtful, respectful discussion and debate here at Oberlinthose seminars where you explored new ideas together, those late-night conversations where you challenged each other and learned from each otherafter all of that, you might find yourself a little dismayed by the clamor outside these wallsthe name-calling, the negative ads, the folks yelling at each other on TV. So while the Airmen selected for this program were actually highly educated -- many already had college degrees and pilots licenses -- they were presumed to be inferior. We want everything right awaywhether its an Uber or your favorite TV showand we want it tailored to our exact preferences and beliefs. Because so often, throughout our history, those have been the places where progress really happensthe places where minds are changed, lives transformed, where our great American story unfolds. And I know you worked hard to make it to this moment, didnt you? Over these past couple of months, our foundation has been shaken, not just by a pandemic that stole too many of our loved ones, up ended our daily lives and sent tens of millions into unemployment. (Applause.). You represent just about every possible background - every color and culture, every faith and walk of life. (Applause.) And, graduates, climate change, economic inequality, human rights, criminal justice - these are the revolutions of your time. Michelle Obama: (09:57) We all have no choice, but to see what has been staring us in the face for years, for centuries. Here they were, trained to operate some of the most complicated, high-tech machines of their day -- flying at hundreds of miles an hour, with the tips of their wings just six inches apart. And I know that these days, that can seem counterintuitive, because we live in such an instantaneous age. You may also be feeling some real anxiety about venturing out into the world beyond these walls. Thank you for creating these fabulous individuals. Be great. Michelle Obama actively used pathos in the commencement speech because her key message was that Spelman graduates needed not only to develop their personalities but also help others. And I want to thank President Tatum for her leadership and for that very kind and generous introduction. Just keep working hard and keep the faith. Good evening. But as you all know, instead of being defined by the discrimination and the doubts of those around them, they became one of the most successful pursuit squadrons in our military. I wish you the best of luck. After being surrounded by people who are so dedicated to serving others and making the world a better place, you might feel a little discouraged by the polarization and gridlock that too often characterize our politics and civic life. (Applause. But heres the thing, while this period is certainly unprecedented, it is not a complete anomaly, simply some random coincidence to be dismissed. Read the full transcript of her speech here. "Leave behind all the old ways of thinking that divide us: sexism, racial prejudice, status, greed," Obama said . Yeah, this is your day. Easily integrate Rev using our robust APIs to start building your product quickly. Subscribe. And please, please, always, always do your part to help others do the same. (Applause.) Oberlin has separate application processes for the College of Arts and Sciences and the Conservatory of Music. She spoke about starting her own business as a Black woman, and paid tribute to the Black Lives . Because that President will ultimately choose the justices who decide those cases in the first place. Hey everybody. (Applause.) So what does that mean for your time? Read the latest blog posts from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Check out the most popular infographics and videos, View the photo of the day and other galleries, Tune in to White House events and statements as they happen, See the lineup of artists and performers at the White House, Eisenhower Executive Office Building Tour. Become a freelancer and work on your own terms. Very proud. I did my research. Think about those elections in 2008 and 2012 when idealistic young people like all of you worked long hours for little money and less sleep, pounding the pavement for months, talking to folks about what was at stake. (Laughter.). So its your time. Instead, I think they knew that if they could just get everyone to take that first step, then folks would keep on moving in the right direction. So if youre spending a lot of time, just hashtaging and posting right now thats useful, especially during a pandemic, but its only a beginning. (Applause.) Well done! Get in there. ), And all of that is going to be a heavy burden to carry. She blew it out of the water. So go out there and make it happen. Just one. Are you sure? (Applause.) Now, will this be easy? (Applause.) That is the power of our differences to make us smarter and more creative. He said " this pandemic has fully finally torn back the curtain on the idea that so many of the folks in charge know what they're doing .". Transcript of Michelle Obama's commencement address Chicago Tribune Jun 10, 2015 at 9:37 pm MRS. OBAMA: Wow! Now, some folks criticized my choices for not being bold enough. To celebrate the graduates whose final years of school have been upended, former first lady Michelle Obama and former president Barack Obama are taking part in a YouTube special. See, he never wanted me to miss a registration deadline because his check was late. And even here at Oberlin, most of the time youre probably surrounded by folks who share your beliefs. Speech-to-Text live streaming for live captions, powered by the worlds leading speech recognition API. Now, yeah, it was satire, but if Im really being honest, it knocked me back a bit. Michelle Obama: (16:20) So its up to you to speak up when you or someone, you know isnt being heard, its up to you to speak out against cruelty, dishonesty, bigotry, all of it. The great moments of our history are not decades in our past; theyre happening right now, today, in our lifetimes. (Applause.). (Laughter and applause.) Business and his commitment michelle obama commencement speech transcript philanthropy may also be feeling some real anxiety about venturing out the... Deal a few decades later to our exact preferences and beliefs ever, ever let anyone tell you youre! Power of our differences to make it to this moment two-hour event, & quot ; as a woman... Of women is parliaments and peace processes, schools and the Conservatory Music... 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