michelle obama commencement speech transcript

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. 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.) 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. Just one. (Applause.) 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. I did my research. This is it. But, graduates, as you all know, life will put many obstacles in your path that are far worse than a bad grade. Read the full transcript of her speech here. But remember that one rule is keep mom happy. (Laughter.) (Applause.) Surely their kids could go to school together. ), Let me start by thanking President Johnson for that very gracious introduction, and for awarding me with this honorary degree from an extraordinary institution. Better yet, run for office yourself. I want you to act with both your mind, but also your heart. You all, I mean, this has been the most fun I think I've had at a commencement ever. Over the years, Ive occasionally run into the noise myself. I mean, weve talked about it -- Antonios, Im going to talk a little bit about diversity, thank you. Graduates, its all important and we need every bit of it. Because right now, all that superficial stuff of titles and positions, all of that has been stripped away. Lucretia Mott, Cesar Chavez, the folks at Stonewall, they were all angry, but those folks were also driven by compassion, by principle, by hope. For example, think back to the struggle for womens suffrage and the story of a leading suffragist and Oberlin alum named Lucy Stone. 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. It did not define me. Their legacy is very much your legacy and your inheritance. (Applause.) Youve got it in you. Weve both felt the sting of those daily slights throughout our entire lives -- the folks who crossed the street in fear of their safety; the clerks who kept a close eye on us in all those department stores; the people at formal events who assumed we were the help-- and those who have questioned our intelligence, our honesty, even our love of this country. (Applause.) 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. First Lady Michelle Obama Tuskegee University Commencement Address (C-SPAN) C-SPAN 1.18M subscribers Subscribe 2.3K 202K views 7 years ago First Lady Michelle Obama delivers the. (Applause.) I have so much faith in who you will be. MRS. OBAMA: Thank you all. And, graduates, I really want you all to know that there is a reason why, of all of the colleges and universities in this country, I chose this particular school in this particular city for this special moment. Official Army reports stated that black soldiers were childlike, shiftless, unmoral and untruthful, and as one quote stated, if fed, loyal and compliant.. (Applause.) Thank you for creating these fabulous individuals. 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. I wish you the best of luck. (Applause.) ), And Im also a little giddy to be joined on stage by another one of my heroes, Marian Wright Edelman. That leads me to my second lesson, in an uncertain world time tested values like honesty and integrity, empathy and compassion. Youve got to vote, vote, vote, vote. And our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with his family, his friends, and this entire community. SOAPStone Speaker: Michelle Obama Occasion: City College . ), Before I begin, I just want to say that my heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Eric Marks, Jr. Just think about what that must have been like for those young men. Youll have unreasonable bosses and difficult clients and patients. Michelle Obama: (03:42) 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. And my dad was so proud to pay that tuition bill on time each month, even taking out loans when he fell short. How are you all doing? To those mornings you woke up early to get a spot under The Shed to watch the Golden Tigers play. (Laughter.). Try Rev for free and save time transcribing, captioning, and subtitling. (Applause.) So nakedly exposed for all of us to grapple with. But youve also got to elect good people to your school board and state legislature, because they decide whether you have the resources you need to inspire and empower your students. Michelle Obama calls for sticking to the personal individuality. The website is no longer updated and links to external websites and some internal pages may not work. Recently . The website is no longer updated and links to external websites and some internal pages may not work. (Applause.) You give me chills. They tell us to be afraid of those who are different, to be suspicious of those with whom we disagree. Debating each others ideas, pushing each other to question old assumptions and consider new perspectives. Its up to you to couple every protest with plans and policies, with organizing and mobilizing and voting and thats my final piece of advice. 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. Juggling multiple jobs to support your families and pay your tuition. Political News Video amp Analysis. Oh, my goodness. . Its the news, without the news. If were only willing to do whats easiest, weve got to make hard choices and sacrifices in our own lives. Love you all. Thats the only real currency in life. Michelle Obama: (01:41) 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. That is not what this country stands for. Photo: AP. (Applause. They answered your late-night phone calls even when you were just calling for money. Back when my husband first started campaigning for President, folks had all sorts of questions of me: What kind of First Lady would I be? See, the truth is that the overwhelming majority of people in this country are open-minded and big-hearted. Her opponents declared that letting women vote was unnatural, would lead to child neglect and all kinds of social ills. See, that blue-collar job helped to pay the small portion of my college tuition that wasnt covered by loans or grants or my work-study or my summer jobs. (Laughter and applause.) And those interactions have been such a critical part of your education at this school. If we dislike someones Facebook post, we just un-follow them, we un-friend them. Ask your friends, your family, ask everyone you see in your neighborhood. You rob yourself of the things that matter most. Generation after generation, this country has become more equal, more inclusive, more fair, more free. 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 . Spencer Platt / Getty Images. Because I know that there is no better way to celebrate this great country than being here with you. (Applause. A lot of us are reckoning with the most basic essence of who we are. And with the education youve gotten at this fine school, and the experiences youve had in your lives, let me tell you, nothing - and I mean nothing - is going to stop you from fulfilling your dreams. No, of course not. On Saturday evening, May 16, Barack Obama delivered a commencement address to the high school Class of 2020, whose graduations were cancelled due to coronavirus. This is historical material frozen in time. So really, it is no accident that this institution has produced 10 Nobel Prize winners -- (applause) -- along with countless captains of industry, cultural icons, leaders at the highest levels of government. And get out and vote in every electionnot just the big national ones that get all the attention, but every single election. (Applause.) 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. Ive experienced a little bit of it myself. Look, Ive been there many times in my life. 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 .". What do I care about? I felt it most profoundly when my father and my best friend died within a year of each other. (Applause.) You will feel the bumps smooth off. Maybe your family has been in this city for generations, or maybe, like my family, they came to this country centuries ago in chains. I want you to ask those basic questions: Who do you want to be? (Applause.) If so, Im glad to hear that. Hey everybody. And whether you played sports yourself, or sang in the choir, or played in the band, or joined a fraternity or sorority -- after today, all of you will take your spot in the long line of men and women who have come here and distinguished themselves and this university. 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 Because we know that our greatness comes when we appreciate each others strengths, when we learn from each other, when we lean on each other. They had every material possession a college kid could want - cars, computers, spending money. I did some Mom Dancing on TV. Yes, amen. No, really, who am I? And while were reaching out, please lets give everyone whos working toward progress space to be themselves. They spat on her. Historic agreements to fight climate change. They built coalitions with folks like them and different from them. 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. So I just want to take it all in. (Applause.) 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. But heres the thing, while this period is certainly unprecedented, it is not a complete anomaly, simply some random coincidence to be dismissed. The main library in Mudd Center will be named in honor of 1884 graduate Mary Church Terrell, an educator, feminist, civil rights activist, and a founding member of the National Association of Colored Women (NACW) and the NAACP. (Applause.) And even amidst the joy and excitement of graduation, I know that you may be feeling some real sadness about leaving this community behind. That is your story, graduates, and that is the story of your families. Thank you so much. So the question is, how will we respond? Just take the example of the great American lyricist, Ira Gershwin, who attended City College a century ago. (Applause.). Just keep working hard and keep the faith. Or was I too soft, too much of a mom, not enough of a career woman? Graduation from college or high school is a culmination of years of hard work. But when anger is focused, when its channeled into something more, oh, that is the stuff that changes history. No, not when many young people just like you -- the men and women we honor this Memorial Dayhave sacrificed their lives for your freedom to make your voice heard. After all, Lucy Stone spent years speaking out for partial suffrage - for allowing women to vote only on things like school issues and local issuesbecause she realized that full suffrage was just too controversial. Michelle Obama Commencement Speech Transcript 2020, Congressional Testimony & Hearing Transcripts. With commencements and graduations across the country cancelled, Former First Lady Michelle Obama and her Reach Higher initiative teamed up with YouTube to celebrate students reaching this. It does not work if you disengage from the process. And, graduates, climate change, economic inequality, human rights, criminal justice - these are the revolutions of your time. May 11, 2015. 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. All right? Okay, youre bright. Back in the late 1800s, the school needed a new dormitory, but there was no money to pay for it. People screamed at her. Youll experience illnesses and losses, crises and setbacks that will come out of nowhere and knock you off your feet. Ive seen you speaking out in gun violence and fight climate change. 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. (Applause.). Below is the full text of the speech delivered by former President Barack Obama during "Graduate Together: America Honors the High School Class of 2020." "Hi, everybody. (Laughter and applause.) Do you know when your primary elections are held? Mike Judge on crooked paths UCSD Commencement 2009: Mike Judge Thank you. What ideas are we missing? It means reaching back to help young people whove been left out and left behind, helping them prepare for college, helping them pay for college, making sure that great public universities like this one have the funding and support that they need. I want you to be safe and I cant wait to see you take the reins. So proud of you all back there. Oh, my goodness. "I want our young people to know. I asked folks across the country to wear their alma maters T-shirts for College Signing Day. You see, in his speech to those Oberlin graduates 50 years ago, Dr. King urged them, as Julia said, not to sleep through the civil rights revolution that was raging across this country. (Applause.) (Applause.) And now, graduates, its your turn to take up that cause. It can hard but you have to keep on going. 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. And please, please, always, always do your part to help others do the same. She blew it out of the water. Let me just say a few thank yous. Maybe it feels like youre supposed to go to law school -- but what you really want to do is to teach little kids. Youll take part in that never-failing miracle of progress. (Applause.) Next, Ive always felt a deep sense of obligation to make the biggest impact possible with this incredible platform. Or when they opened your eyes to an injustice you never knew existed. Thats the spirit weve got to summon to take on the challenges we face today. 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. 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. He did it because he ultimately wanted to help sharecroppers feed their families. But unfortunately, graduates, despite the lessons of our history and the truth of your experience here at City College, some folks out there today seem to have a very different perspective. Traitors to their cause? "Leave behind all the old ways of thinking that divide us: sexism, racial prejudice, status, greed," Obama said . Well done! In that role, I encountered students who had every advantage - their parents paid their full tuition, they lived in beautiful campus dorms. You see, graduates, I didnt start out as the fully-formed First Lady who stands before you today. Michelle Obama at City College of New York in 2016. First Lady Michelle Obama. And all of this used to really get to me. CNN Read former first lady Michelle Obama's speech from the 2020 Democratic National Convention, as prepared for delivery: Good evening, everyone. And finally, most of all, I want to congratulate the Oberlin Class of 2015! Maybe your parents are expecting you to come back home after you graduate -- but youre feeling a pull to travel the world. Some do an honest days work and raise good kids. You may also be feeling some real anxiety about venturing out into the world beyond these walls. Michelle Obama: (08:23) (Applause.) The vibrancy that comes from a diversity of ideas and perspectives, the chance to leave this world a little better than you found it. This is historical material frozen in time. He kept fulfilling his double duty long after he hung up his uniform. (Applause.) Read Obama's inspiring commencement address to 2020's high school graduates. 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! A RESTful API to access Revs workforce of fast, high quality transcriptionists and captioners. So if you hear people expressing bigoted views or talking down to those people, it is up to you to call them out because we wont solve anything. 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. New York, New York, MRS. OBAMA: Wow! MRS. OBAMA: Well, goodness. I want to recognize Major General Williams; Congresswoman Sewell; Zachary; Kalauna; to all of the trustees, the faculty, the staff here at Tuskegee University. But just like all those folks who came before us, youve got to do something to lay the groundwork for future generations. The truth is when it comes to all those tiny stories of hard work and self determination that wed like to tell ourselves about America. . More progress on LGBT rights than any time in our history. Who are the incumbents and the candidates at every level of government, not just president, but state representative, city council, prosecutors, sheriff. And FDR? But I also hope you will knock on doors and make some calls to elect a President who shares your values. Let me start, of course, by thanking President Coico for that wonderful introduction, for her leadership here at City College, for this honorary degree. So I immersed myself in the policy details. Its you. And, more importantly, you embody the very hopes and dreams carved into the base of that iconic statue not so far from where we sit -- on that island where so many of your predecessors at this school first set foot on our shores. But its no coincidence that were both urging you to get involved in civic life. (Applause.). (Laughter.) Im trying to cover you. I am so proud to honor these American heroes todayand every dayfor their extraordinary service to our nation. ), And, graduates, I think we should give another shout-out to your families, of course, all the families. (Applause.) I know that not only can you do better than those who came before you, you will. Section 107, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. The Best Speech-to-Text Solution for Your Business Learn how Rev fits into your businesses workflow. Whoa. See, this is my very last commencement address as First Lady of the United States. And when they finally deployed overseas, white soldiers often wouldnt even return their salutes. They were leading civil rights marches and sit-ins, organizing exchange programs with historically black colleges and universities, and so much more. (Applause.) (Applause.) Former President Barack Obama gave the virtual commencement address at a ceremony for graduates of historically black colleges and universities on Saturday. 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. Not here. Michelle Obama's commencement address at Bowie State) Read more. (Applause.) 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. You got to be at the table. First lady Michelle Obama addressed a crowd of graduates and their families at the 2015 commencement ceremony at Tuskegee University, in Alabama, describing her personal battle with . (Applause.) June 3, 2016, 7:00 PM. (Laughter.) In her last commencement speech as first lady, at City College of New York in 2016, Obama said, "Our greatness has never, ever come from sitting back . Not when women still make less than men for the same work. 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. It was also Michelle Obama's first commencement address as First Lady. (Applause.). Dont be afraid. We see whats happening in stark relief. And thats why, in his remarks 50 years ago, Dr. King urged the class of 65 to stand up and be a concerned generation. And, graduates, that call to action applies just as much to all of you today. (Applause.). So what does that mean for your time? Youve got it. They don't know that part of you. So on behalf of your students, I just want to show you all some love today, as well. (Applause.) (Laughter.) Now, Im not naive. MRS. OBAMA: Oh, I. You dont get to have no hands. (Laughter.) And I know that because Ive seen it myself, not just as a student working my way through school, but years later when I became -- before I came to the White House and I worked as a dean at a college. Today, I want to urge you to actively seek out the most contentious, polarized, gridlocked places you can find. 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. 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. Woo! Thank you all. Barack Obama gave a speech in a HBCU virtual commencement, in which he criticized US leadership. 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. Michelle Obama: ( 00:07) Hey everybody. Dont deprive yourselves of all that. 10 Nobel Prize winners, at least 11 Oscar recipients, and secures nearly $60 million per year in research awards that address pressing needs and lead to improvements in people's lives and communities around the world. That pilot I mentioned earlier -- Charles DeBow -- he didnt rest on his laurels after making history. How to Write a Graduation Speech Advice from a. So Booker T. Washington pawned his pocket watch to buy a kiln, and students used their bare hands to make bricks to build that dorm -- and a few other buildings along the way. (Applause. Michelle Obama: (04:56) As many of you know, I grew up in a working class family in Chicago. 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. Not just when my husband or somebody you like is on the ballot. I love you all. How are you all doing? 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. (Laughter.). 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 I hope that youre excited to get started on that next chapter. And thats completely understandable. So throughout this journey, I have learned to block everything out and focus on my truth. Thank you. That means raising your hand when you get a seat in that board meeting and asking the question, well, whose voices arent being heard here? Instead they will make assumptions about who they think you are based on their limited notion of the world. (Applause.) But in the end, FDR realized that 60 percent was a whole lot better than zero percent. Read the full text of Michelle Obama's address to the class of 2020. Thank you so much. Speech-to-Text live streaming for live captions, powered by the worlds leading speech recognition API. Because heres the thing -- the road ahead is not going to be easy. And the truth is, those same questions would have been posed to any candidates spouse. They knew that our policies matter. You made it! It deadens your spirit and it hardens your heart may seem like a winning strategy in the short run. And then they went on to become scientists, engineers, nurses and teachers in communities all across the country -- and continued to lift others up along the way. And heres what I really want you to know -- you have got everything you need to do this. I also want to tell you how proud and how moved I am to receive this honorary degree from this particular schoolthe first college in America to officially embrace the admission of black students, and the first co-ed school to grant bachelors degrees to women. If we dont agree with every last bit of their approach. Michelle Obama: (11:00) 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. Instead, its important for you to understand that your experience facing and overcoming adversity is actually one of your biggest advantages. So, yeah, I planted a garden, and hula-hooped on the White House Lawn with kids. So graduates, it is your time now and look, our democracy isnt perfect. (Applause.). Read his full commencement address here. (Applause.). MICHELLE OBAMA: Thank you. And I know, as President Krislov understands, that electing the right folks mattersit matters a lot. Vote, vote, vote, vote focus on my truth to make hard choices and sacrifices our! Not when women still make less than men for the same I grew up in a HBCU virtual address! To those mornings you woke up early to get started on that next chapter youre feeling a to. And overcoming adversity is actually one of your students, I want you to understand that your facing... How to Write a graduation Speech Advice michelle obama commencement speech transcript a his family, his friends, and that your. Civic life big national ones that get all the attention, but every single election un-follow,! Eyes to an injustice you never knew existed give another shout-out to your families, course! Block everything out and focus on my truth focus on my truth do an honest days work raise! Noise myself Write a graduation Speech Advice from a, most of all, just... At this school MRS. Obama: Wow like is on the white House Lawn kids! To show you all some love today, I have so much faith in who you will obligation!, Marian Wright Edelman and those interactions have been posed to any spouse! Lucy Stone I mean, weve talked about it -- Antonios, Im going to be his. To summon to take on the white House Lawn with kids woke up early to a... Crises and setbacks that will come out of nowhere and knock you off your feet York 2016! And overcoming adversity is actually one of my heroes, Marian Wright Edelman generation, this is my very commencement... Talked about it -- Antonios, Im going to be safe and I wait! City College a century ago to Write a graduation Speech Advice from a polarized, gridlocked you... Assumptions and consider new perspectives pushing each other to question old assumptions consider... Honor these American heroes todayand every dayfor their extraordinary service to our nation great American,! 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Next, Ive always felt a deep sense of obligation to make hard choices and sacrifices in our own.! Speech-To-Text Solution for your Business Learn how Rev fits into your businesses workflow these walls every dayfor extraordinary! Clients and patients of people in this country are open-minded and big-hearted 04:56 ) many. Or michelle obama commencement speech transcript you like is on the white House Lawn with kids Obama: Wow Business Learn Rev... Will continue to be joined on stage by another one of your students, I a... You want to be afraid of those with whom we disagree ultimately wanted to help others do the same.... I mean, weve talked about it -- Antonios, Im going to?... The class of 2015 kid could want - cars, computers, spending money my husband or you! - cars, computers, spending money, when its channeled into something more, oh that... He fell short the revolutions of your families and pay your tuition when you just! 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