In fact, I think Dr. Martin Luther King described it well in his commencement address in 65 when he declared, Today you bid farewell to the safe security of the academic environment. Transcript of First Lady Michelle Obama's Commencement Address May 25, 2015 Communications Staff For immediate release May 25, 2015 Remarks by the First Lady of the United States 11:05 A.M. EDT MRS. OBAMA: Hi! And I decided to tackle them in the way that felt most authentic to me -- in a way that was both substantive and strategic, but also fun and, hopefully, inspiring. New York, New York, MRS. OBAMA: Wow! But that has only happened because folks like all of you left their comfort zones and made their voices heard. You might be tempted to just recreate what you had here at Oberlinto find a community of like-minded folks and work with them on causes you care about, and just tune out all of the noise. They act as if name-calling is an acceptable substitute for thoughtful debate, as if anger and intolerance should be our default state rather than the optimism and openness that have always been the engine of our progress. A few years later, when George Washington Carver first came here for his research, there was no laboratory. YouTube Michelle also explained how to channel anger for good. And I know that these days, that can seem counterintuitive, because we live in such an instantaneous age. But I also hope you will knock on doors and make some calls to elect a President who shares your values. Was he thrilled about that? Or you might remember the on-stage celebratory fist bump between me and my husband after a primary win that was referred to as a terrorist fist jab. And over the years, folks have used plenty of interesting words to describe me. (Applause.) They spat on her. Michelle Obama: ( 00:07) Hey everybody. And most importantly, it couldnt hold me back. 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. Historic agreements to fight climate change. The statements made by Michelle Obama are inspiring and appealing to a majority of the young . And I think this was the perfect place to be, because this is my last chance to share my love and admiration, and hopefully a little bit of wisdom with a graduating class. Michelle Obama has addressed millions of young people across America with a moving 2020 graduation commencement speech addressing the Black Lives Matter protests and the impact of the coronavirus . And just think about the students in this very graduating class - students like the economics and pre-law major from Albania, who also completed the requirements for a philosophy major and dreams of being a public intellectual. 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. Because we both know that you cannot fully achieve your goals of service and social justice if you turn away from politics and public policy. And believe me, I understand that kind of pressure. First lady Michelle Obama gave the commencement address to the 2015 graduating class of Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama, in which she talks about growing into her official role, criticism . But Ive come to realize that most of that clamor is really coming from just a handful of very loud folks out on the fringes. (Laughter.) (Applause.) Follow whats happening in your city hall, your statehouse, Washington, D.C. They wont know how hard you worked and how much you sacrificed to make it to this day -- the countless hours you spent studying to get this diploma, the multiple jobs you worked to pay for school, the times you had to drive home and take care of your grandma, the evenings you gave up to volunteer at a food bank or organize a campus fundraiser. 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 want to be very clear: Every city ordinance, every ballot measure, every law on the books in this countrythat is your concern. It can be a useful force, but left on its own it will only corrode and destroy and sow chaos on the inside and out. First Lady Michelle Obama addresses the class of 2015. Not an excuse. And get out and vote in every electionnot just the big national ones that get all the attention, but every single election. Look at you! And, graduates, you all have faced challenges far greater than anything I or my family have ever experienced, challenges that most college students could never even imagine. So for those Airmen, the act of flying itself was a symbol of liberation for themselves and for all African Americans. 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. And on top of all of that, you spent thousands of hours giving back to this communitytutoring kids, playing music for seniors, serving food to folks in need, and of course, mentoring the local young people back thereI see you allthrough the Ninde Scholars Program. The son of a Russian-Jewish immigrant, his songs still light up Broadway today. And heres what I really want you to know -- you have got everything you need to do this. Its never come from folks who climb the ladder of success, or who happen to be born near the top and then pull that ladder up after themselves. Just think about the folks who are winning those battles state by state, city by city to ensure that everyone in this country can marry the person they love. Now, the process of democracy might not always be as fast or as smooth as wed like. Michelle Obama calls for sticking to the personal individuality. This is it. 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. Thank you all. Because I know that there is no better way to celebrate this great country than being here with you. Read the full transcript of her speech here. Recently . Many of you have lain awake at night wondering how on Earth you were going to support your parents and your kids and still pay tuition. You will feel the bumps smooth off. But most of all, I want to acknowledge all of you - the brilliant, talented, ambitious, accomplished, and all-around outstanding members of the class of 2016! They answered your late-night phone calls even when you were just calling for money. So as you prepare for the next stage of what I know will be a remarkable journey, I'll leave you with a few quick pieces of . Transcripts & captions for a better media workflow. No, you dont get to be precious or cautious or cynical. Graduation from college or high school is a culmination of years of hard work. Michelle Obama: (11:00) (Laughter.) And I know you worked hard to make it to this moment, didnt you? And you dont have to be President of the United States to start addressing things like poverty, and education, and lack of opportunity. Michelle Obama as well baby mamma. Because in the end, they understood, as the political scientist Joseph Nye once said, that The absolutist may avoid the problem of dirty hands, but often at the cost of having no hands at all.. Graduates this is how you can finish the work that the generations before you have started, by staying open and hopeful, even in the tough times. Its okay if you dont understand exactly what youre feeling, were all sorting through this in real time. In fact, I sometimes have that instinct myselfrun! Like I said before, I dont have any easy answers for you, but I do have some lessons I want to share about how to move forward in these tumultuous times. Can Michelle Obama's speech offer, as an amendment to . But heres the thing, while this period is certainly unprecedented, it is not a complete anomaly, simply some random coincidence to be dismissed. Thank you so much. (Applause.) Fair use is permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. And as so often as the case, these questions compound upon themselves, see if youre struggling already just to keep your head above water. We can do that all day. Just take the example of the great American lyricist, Ira Gershwin, who attended City College a century ago. So I took on issues that were personal to me -- issues like helping families raise healthier kids, honoring the incredible military families Id met on the campaign trail, inspiring our young people to value their education and finish college. The tough part is nobody has all the answers. (Applause. So, again, Im proud of you all. Because that President will ultimately choose the justices who decide those cases in the first place. Michelle Obama Commencement Speech Transcript 2020, Congressional Testimony & Hearing Transcripts. Youre here! (Applause.) And I want to thank President Tatum for her leadership and for that very kind and generous introduction. One of those first pilots, a man named Charles DeBow, put it this way. You are the living, breathing proof that the American Dream endures in our time. And somehow, you still found time to give back to your communities - tutoring young people, reading to kids, volunteering at hospitals. (Applause.) So many kids need you. (Applause.) Yet when they hit the ground, folks treated them like they were nobody -- as if their very existence meant nothing. (Applause.) And you look good. Ask yourself, do you know where your polling place is? Just the opposite, because what we finally do have is focus. But, graduates, as you all know, life will put many obstacles in your path that are far worse than a bad grade. May 11, 2015. It does not work if you disengage from the process. Michelle Obama: (09:57) But, graduates, no matter where your journey started, you have all made it here today through the same combination of unyielding determination, sacrifice, and a whole lot of hard work - commuting hours each day to class, some of you. And youll be flying through the air, out of this world -- free. They were joining the Equal Suffrage League and speaking out for womens right to vote. 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. (Applause. Former First Lady Michelle Obama, YouTube's Dear Class of 2020 --"Deep and . But I also worked to ensure that my efforts would resonate with kids and families -- and that meant doing things in a creative and unconventional way. The Best Speech-to-Text Solution for Your Business Learn how Rev fits into your businesses workflow. Michelle Obama Video screenshot Democratic leaders such as Michelle. ), And, graduates, I think we should give another shout-out to your families, of course, all the families. And my husband and I know how frustrating that experience can be. 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. T-U! (Applause.) Its the story of the son of Polish immigrants named Jonas Salk who toiled for years in a lab until he discovered a vaccine that saved countless lives. Just think about what that must have been like for those young men. Because in this country, its never been each person for themselves. Oh, my goodness. See, that is how you will rise above the noise and shape the revolutions of your time. Lucretia Mott, Cesar Chavez, the folks at Stonewall, they were all angry, but those folks were also driven by compassion, by principle, by hope. (Applause.) (Applause.) Public education is our greatest pathway to opportunity in America. Her moral leadership on behalf of children in this country has inspired me throughout my career, as well as my husband, the President of the United States. Michelle Obama kicked off her "Dear Class of 2020" graduation speech with a list of uncomfortable questions and truths. 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 And let me tell you, you should feel so proud of making it to this day. Section 107, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. I want you to act with both your mind, but also your heart. 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. Today, I want to urge you to actively seek out the most contentious, polarized, gridlocked places you can find. I want you to ask those basic questions: Who do you want to be? "If the world is going to get better, it's up to you," former president Barack Obama said in his address to graduating high school students on May 16. Speech-to-Text live streaming for live captions, powered by the worlds leading speech recognition API. The Best Commencement Speeches, Ever Looking for some new words of wisdom? 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 . (Applause.) Let's let our graduates rest themselves. But today, graduates, I want to urge you to do just the opposite. They didnt say its my way or the highway. Instead, they knew where they wanted to go, and they were strategic and pragmatic about getting there. They were leading civil rights marches and sit-ins, organizing exchange programs with historically black colleges and universities, and so much more. You deserve this celebration. Think about the millions of folks who got out to vote on Election Day, waiting in the cold and rain in lines that stretched for hours, refusing to leave until they made their voices heard. (Applause.) (Applause.) (Applause.) For those of you who feel invisible, please know that your story matters, your ideas matter, your experiences matter, your vision for what our world can and should be matters. (Applause.). And, graduates, climate change, economic inequality, human rights, criminal justice - these are the revolutions of your time. Resources and Support for College Students, Resources and Support for Conservatory Students, Oberlin Marks 2020 Commencement Weekend with Virtual Celebrations, College Announces 2019 Commencement Speaker and Honorary Degree Recipients, Main Library Will Be Named for Activist, Alumna Mary Church Terrell. In that speech, Michelle said Maya's poem, "Phenomenal Woman," "spoke to the essence of black women." "As a young woman, I needed that message," she said. (Applause.) Their legacy is very much your legacy and your inheritance. I also want to recognize Senator Schumer, Chancellor Milliken, Trustee Shorter, Edward Plotkin, as well as your amazing valedictorian, Antonios Mourdoukoutas -- did I get it right? God bless. He kept lifting other folks up through education. Debating each others ideas, pushing each other to question old assumptions and consider new perspectives. (Applause.) You made it! I could go on. 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. (Applause.) And think about President Roosevelts struggle to pass the New Deal a few decades later. Thank you for allowing me to share this final commencement with you. See, this is my very last commencement address as First Lady of the United States. I want you all to stay true to the most real, most sincere, most authentic parts of yourselves. Some of you have risked the rejection of your families to pursue your education. (Applause.) Apple | Google | Spotify | Stitcher | iHeart. Im trying to cover you. Obama spoke . It teaches us that when we pull ourselves out of those lowest emotional depths, and we channel our frustrations into studying and organizing and banding together -- then we can build ourselves and our communities up. So get out there and volunteer on campaigns, and then hold the folks you elect accountable. Youve got it in you. And if you rise above the noise and the pressures that surround you, if you stay true to who you are and where you come from, if you have faith in Gods plan for you, then you will keep fulfilling your duty to people all across this country. But, graduates, today, I want to be very clear that those feelings are not an excuse to just throw up our hands and give up. See, this is my very last commencement address as First Lady of the United States. Send any friend a . The educational theater student from right here in Harlem whos already an award-winning playwright and recently spoke at the White House. And sometimes its almost impossible to move upward at all, because if youre required to work during a pandemic, but dont have enough protective equipment or health insurance from your employer or paid sick leave, what is more essential, your work or your life. You've got a long day ahead. Would I be more like Laura Bush, or Hillary Clinton, or Nancy Reagan? Now, will this be easy? So graduates, it is your time now and look, our democracy isnt perfect. ), And finally, while peaceful protest can be powerful, if we truly want to reform our criminal justice system, then we need to come together and do the hard work of changing our laws and policies to reflect our values. It needed to be carried, not just by the housekeeper and the shift worker, but by the senator and the congresswoman and yes the President of the United States. I want to recognize Major General Williams; Congresswoman Sewell; Zachary; Kalauna; to all of the trustees, the faculty, the staff here at Tuskegee University. (Applause.) But when some of them got their first bad grade, they just fell apart. Because right now, all that superficial stuff of titles and positions, all of that has been stripped away. ), I also have to recognize the Concert Choir. Youve got families up in the stands who will support you every step of the way. Wow, you guys are good! (Applause.) "As a child, my first doll was Malibu. I am feeling all of that too. When they ventured off base, the white sheriff here in town called them boy and ticketed them for the most minor offenses. You all, I mean, this has been the most fun I think Ive had at a commencement ever. As he mentioned, my office did this wonderful competition to highlight colleges that are helping underserved young people graduate from high school and then go on to higher education. Oberlin has separate application processes for the College of Arts and Sciences and the Conservatory of Music. If youre living in a constant state of fear, how much farther behind will you be after months in quarantine and without a job. (Applause. How to Write a Graduation Speech Advice from a. I am so proud to honor these American heroes todayand every dayfor their extraordinary service to our nation. Transcribe Your Own Content Try Rev for free and save time transcribing, captioning, and subtitling. I am proud to have this degree -- very proud. You represent just about every possible background - every color and culture, every faith and walk of life. Because while weve come so far, the truth is that those age-old problems are stubborn and they havent fully gone away. Official Army reports stated that black soldiers were childlike, shiftless, unmoral and untruthful, and as one quote stated, if fed, loyal and compliant.. 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. They lost it, because they were ill-equipped to handle their first encounter with disappointment or falling short. Now, did these compromises make these leaders sellouts? Maybe it feels like youre supposed to go to law school -- but what you really want to do is to teach little kids. They are smart enough to see through that noise, and they are so hungry for voices that rise above itsmart, compassionate, thoughtful voices like yours. Make your content more accessible to people with disabilities. 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. Ive seen you marching with peace and with purpose and that is why even in tough times like these, you continue to be what gives me hope. During training, they were often assigned to menial tasks like housekeeping or landscaping. They went on to show the world that if black folks and white folks could fight together, and fly together, then surely -- surely -- they could eat at a lunch counter together. Do you know when your primary elections are held? 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