michelle obama commencement speech transcript

Maybe your parents are expecting you to come back home after you graduate -- but youre feeling a pull to travel the world. (Applause.) Michelle Obama Commencement Speech Transcript 2020, Congressional Testimony & Hearing Transcripts. Thank you all. But when anger is focused, when its channeled into something more, oh, that is the stuff that changes history. Just the opposite, because what we finally do have is focus. Obama touched on the background of the school, the background of her own family and how it will inform the future of the graduates. The first is this life will always be uncertain. They got fluent in the language of power. Michelle Obama's Motivational Speech | Best Advice On How To Succeed In Life GOOD VIBES 11.4K subscribers Subscribe 6.6K views 2 years ago Michelle Obama Speech And Best Advice On How To. And while neither of my parents went past high school, let me tell you, they saved up every penny that my dad earned at his city job because they were determined to send me to college. 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. Or was I too soft, too much of a mom, not enough of a career woman? Be great. (Applause. 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. Now, some folks criticized my choices for not being bold enough. The tough part is nobody has all the answers. 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. (Applause.). Thank you. (Applause.). Mike Judge on crooked paths UCSD Commencement 2009: Mike Judge How do you want to give back? (Applause.) The two-hour event, "Show Me Your. 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 .". (Applause.) King's Arkansas speech came a year after federal troops protected nine black students attending all-white Little Rock Central High School. Michelle Obama: (02:44) Let me just say a few thank yous. I would have given anything, anything to bring them back. But these were my choices, my issues. Heres the last part. And, graduates, climate change, economic inequality, human rights, criminal justice - these are the revolutions of your time. Some of you have been homeless. MRS. OBAMA: Wow! Background Info Message: In her commencement speech, Michelle Obama talks about how everyone has the potential to become someone important. 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. Traitors to their cause? The great moments of our history are not decades in our past; theyre happening right now, today, in our lifetimes. Thats it; that's the way we move forward. Let's let our graduates rest themselves. In tones both aspirational and political, Michelle Obama on Friday used her last commencement address as first lady to salute graduates of the City College of New York as "living, breathing. You have exceptional musical talent and intellectual enthusiasm.We have a place just for you. But heres the thing -- our history provides us with a better story, a better blueprint for how we can win. 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. First Lady Michelle Obama. (Laughter.) (Laughter.). And you dont have to be President of the United States to start addressing things like poverty, and education, and lack of opportunity. Build great lives for yourselves. It was necessary to motivate students to take actions appealing to their emotions. I am so proud to honor these American heroes todayand every dayfor their extraordinary service to our nation. It is an honor to be here with you to help celebrate this amazing milestone in your lives. (Applause.) One said I exhibited a little bit of uppity-ism. Another noted that I was one of my husbands cronies of color. Cable news once charmingly referred to me as Obamas Baby Mama.. Michelle Obama: (13:03) God bless you, graduates. (Applause.) It did not define me. 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 no matter what path you choose, I want you to make sure its you choosing it, and not someone else. But today, graduates, I want to urge you to do just the opposite. ), Before I begin, I just want to say that my heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Eric Marks, Jr. Because talent and effort combined with our various backgrounds and life experiences has always been the lifeblood of our singular American genius. The son of a Russian-Jewish immigrant, his songs still light up Broadway today. (Applause.) That is what so many of our heroes of history have done. (Applause.) He kept lifting other folks up through education. And I know that these days, that can seem counterintuitive, because we live in such an instantaneous age. Let me just take it in. Now, will this be easy? Transcribe Your Own Content Try Rev for free and save time transcribing, captioning, and subtitling. Michelle Obama Video screenshot Democratic leaders such as Michelle. Well done. But that experience gave me a kind of clarity with everything and pieces around me, I had to forge a new path. 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. 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. And of course, Barack has endured his fair share of insults and slights. I am so proud of you. (Applause.). 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. You deserve this celebration. No, our greatness has always come from people who expect nothing and take nothing for granted -- folks who work hard for what they have then reach back and help others after them. (Applause.) Well done! 19). And youve taken so many different paths to this moment. I think we all are. 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. So, yeah, I planted a garden, and hula-hooped on the White House Lawn with kids. And your amazing salutatorian, Orubba Almansouri. Transcribe your audio files to find high-impact insights in minutes. So please enjoy this moment. Let me just say a few thank yous. (Applause. Michelle Obama: (16:20) I am just overwhelmed. And Im not going to lie to youfor many of you, this is going to be a pretty big transition. They were joining the Equal Suffrage League and speaking out for womens right to vote. They tell us to be afraid of those who are different, to be suspicious of those with whom we disagree. 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. I certainly hope so. (Laughter.). Michelle Obama at City College of New York in 2016. 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. And Im impressed by the community that you all have created herea warm, supportive, inclusive community that embodies the values that define this school. If we dont agree with every last bit of their approach. For example, think back to the struggle for womens suffrage and the story of a leading suffragist and Oberlin alum named Lucy Stone. Yet when they hit the ground, folks treated them like they were nobody -- as if their very existence meant nothing. Thank you so much. Michelle Obama: (06:00) (Applause.) (Applause.). (Applause.) If youre living in a constant state of fear, how much farther behind will you be after months in quarantine and without a job. City College of New York (June 3, 2016) In her final commencement address as first lady, Michelle Obama spoke to the City College of New York's graduates about how differences make us. So if you want to change their minds, if you want to work with them to move this country forward, you cant just shut them out. Youve got families up in the stands who will support you every step of the way. You will follow alums like many of your parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles -- leaders like Robert Robinson Taylor, a groundbreaking architect and administrator here who was recently honored on a postage stamp. Staying up late writing those papers, studying for exams. Debating each others ideas, pushing each other to question old assumptions and consider new perspectives. You should never view your challenges as a disadvantage. Read Obama's inspiring commencement address to 2020's high school graduates. Sometimes its easy to stand with strangers that are protests than it is to challenge someone in your own backyard. Okay, youre bright. Michelle Obama delivered her final commencement address as first lady on Friday to thousands graduating from the City College of New York in Harlem. We dont build up walls to keep people out because we know that our greatness has always depended on contributions from people who were born elsewhere but sought out this country and made it their home - from innovations like Google and eBay to inventions like the artificial heart, the telephone, even the blue jeans; to beloved patriotic songs like God Bless America, like national landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge and, yes, the White House - both of which were designed by architects who were immigrants. And most importantly, it couldnt hold me back. Subscribe. Very proud. Well, let me just tell you, it is beyond a pleasure and an honor to be here with all of you today. Hey everybody. Apple | Google | Spotify | Stitcher | iHeart. 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. Now, did these compromises make these leaders sellouts? Calculate how much it costs to transcribe, caption, or subtitle your content. 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. And believe me, I know this from personal experience. 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 . We want everything right awaywhether its an Uber or your favorite TV showand we want it tailored to our exact preferences and beliefs. 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. Youll take part in that never-failing miracle of progress. And all of this used to really get to me. There will always be those who want to keep you silent. (Applause. "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. Former President Barack Obama gave the virtual commencement address at a ceremony for graduates of historically black colleges and universities on Saturday. And while were reaching out, please lets give everyone whos working toward progress space to be themselves. You have to persuade them, and you have to compromise with them. Who are the incumbents and the candidates at every level of government, not just president, but state representative, city council, prosecutors, sheriff. 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. You will feel the bumps smooth off. So, again, Im proud of you all. (Laughter.). Its you. First Lady Michelle Obama will deliver the commencement address during the 170 th. Build with the best speech-to-text APIs around. Meet the change Inside Takes on the Latest Stories . 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? Transcript of Michelle Obama's commencement address Chicago Tribune Jun 10, 2015 at 9:37 pm MRS. OBAMA: Wow! (Applause.) But just like all those folks who came before us, youve got to do something to lay the groundwork for future generations. (Applause.) But in the end, FDR realized that 60 percent was a whole lot better than zero percent. Speeches & Remarks The White House Office of the First Lady For Immediate Release May 11, 2013 Remarks by the First Lady at Eastern Kentucky University Commencement Eastern Kentucky University Alumni Coliseum Richmond, Kentucky 8:21 P.M. EDT MRS. OBAMA: Thank you so much. 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. And now, graduates, its your turn to take up that cause. I want you to ask those basic questions: Who do you want to be? Thank you so much. 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. Michelle Obama: The story of our families. (Applause.) Finally, graduates, our greatness has never, ever come from sitting back and feeling entitled to what we have. MRS. OBAMA: Hi! Add English on-screen subtitles for videos. Next, Ive always felt a deep sense of obligation to make the biggest impact possible with this incredible platform. Speech-to-Text live streaming for live captions, powered by the worlds leading speech recognition API. Well, after facing all kinds of opposition, he eventually agreed to a Social Security plan that covered only 60 percent of workers. His commencement speech during the Graduation 2020 event was a call to action. Every elected official who represents you, from dog catcher all the way to President of the United Statesthey are your concern. (Applause.) All right? MRS. OBAMA: Thank you all. You may also be feeling some real anxiety about venturing out into the world beyond these walls. (Applause.). (Laughter.) Michelle Obama: (01:41) (Applause.) Well, then how do you begin to chart your own course? Speech-to-Text API for pre-recorded audio, powered by the worlds leading speech recognition engine. And those feelings are playing out in communities like Baltimore and Ferguson and so many others across this country. Michelle Obama's commencement speeches: a compendium of excerpts. Search over 350 speeches by name,. (Applause.) Michelle Obama kicked off her "Dear Class of 2020" graduation speech with a list of uncomfortable questions and truths. This is a transcript of Michelle Obama's Commencement Address at King College Prep High School from 2015. So, graduates, while I think its fair to say that our Founding Fathers never could have imagined this day, all of you are very much the fruits of their vision. He said that a takeoff was -- in his words -- a never-failing miracle where all the bumps would smooth off [youre] in the air out of this world free.. The statements made by Michelle Obama are inspiring and appealing to a majority of the young . Spencer Platt / Getty Images. Better yet, run for office yourself. Not when too many young people still languish in communities ripped apart by violence and despair. This is a time in your life when it feels like everything is turned upside down and perhaps youre wishing that things could just go back to the way they were. 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? I wish you the best of luck. At the White House we have all kinds of ways. So throughout this journey, I have learned to block everything out and focus on my truth. By channeling that discomfort you feel into activism and a democracy that was designed to respond to those who vote. Michelle Obama: (11:51) Many suffered verbal abuse at the hands of their instructors. MRS. OBAMA: Thank you all. So he dug through trash piles and collected old bottles, and tea cups, and fruit jars to use in his first experiments. 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. The Best Speech-to-Text Solution for Your Business Learn how Rev fits into your businesses workflow. 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. You are the living, breathing proof that the American Dream endures in our time. (Applause.) It never is, especially for folks like you and me. Transcript: Read Michelle Obama's full speech from the 2016 DNC By Washington Post Staff July 26, 2016 at 11:06 a.m. EDT First lady Michelle Obama addressed the crowd on the opening day. So by providing tutoring and ACT prep classes, financial aid workshops, and so much more, your Ninde Scholars Program stood out as a shining example of how schools like Oberlin can lift first-generation students into college. (Applause. This is historical material frozen in time. So they took advantage of whatever resources they had in their own time, thundering from the pulpit and the convention floor, penning letters from a jail cell, standing up for their rights in the face of police violence. They had every material possession a college kid could want - cars, computers, spending money. Making her debut as a commencement speaker before a crowd of 12,000 on Saturday, FIrst Lady Michelle Obama praised graduates at the University of California, Merced, the state's smallest, youngest public university. But if you hold strong with the same faith that carried all of those giants before you toward real measurable progress, you will change the course of history. You see, those Airmen always understood that they had a double duty -- one to their country and another to all the black folks who were counting on them to pave the way forward. You rob yourself of the things that matter most. So its your time. Congratulations. (Applause.) 1. Look at you! What ideas are we missing? 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 . No, of course not. So dont ever, ever let anyone tell you that youre too angry or that you should keep your mouth shut. Not an excuse. And youll be flying through the air, out of this world -- free. And I want you to consider this as a public service announcement for anyone who hasnt bought the flowers or the cards or the gifts yet -- all right? 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. Just one. There is no substitute for it. I have seen how leaders who rule by intimidation - leaders who demonize and dehumanize entire groups of people - often do so because they have nothing else to offer. ), And all of that is going to be a heavy burden to carry. And, graduates, with a degree from this amazing school, and all the status and connections that degree confers, you dont get to have no hands. You have developed that muscle. And get out and vote in every electionnot just the big national ones that get all the attention, but every single election. They didnt just give up and retreat to the comfortable company of like-minded folks, because they understood that this is how democracy operates. And thats completely understandable. You know, it's hard to believe that it has been eight years since I first came to this convention to talk with you about why I thought my husband should be President. No, you dont get to be precious or cautious or cynical. Dont be afraid. 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. I really am. MRS. OBAMA: Well, goodness. And of all the women at the Seneca Falls womens suffrage convention in 1848, just one lived to see women cast their votes. It can feel isolating. And Im honored to be here to share the beginning of the next phase of that journey with you. Thank you so much. (Applause.). Thats my story. Her opponents declared that letting women vote was unnatural, would lead to child neglect and all kinds of social ills. How are you all doing? I understand he was such a talented young man, a promising aerospace engineer who was well on his way to achieving his dream of following in the footsteps of the Tuskegee Airmen. It does not work if you disengage from the process. She spoke about starting her own business as a Black woman, and paid tribute to the Black Lives . Send any friend a . Yay, moms! No, really, who am I? (Applause.). It is loud and messy, and its not particularly warm and fuzzy. They seem to view our diversity as a threat to be contained rather than as a resource to be tapped. 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. Read the full text of Michelle Obama's address to the class of 2020. Over the years, Ive occasionally run into the noise myself. Michelle Obama: (15:17) Just look around. Michelle Obama gave her final remarks as First Lady on Friday, choking up as she urged young Americans to remain hopeful and engaged in the country's future. Actions appealing to their emotions a democracy that was designed to respond to those who different... A call to action letting women vote was unnatural, would lead to child neglect and all kinds of.. Used plenty of interesting words to describe me the son of a career woman Graduation event! Now, graduates, our greatness has never, ever let anyone tell you,,. Living, breathing proof that the American Dream endures in our time a fraud on the workingman, Obama., his songs still light up Broadway today former President Barack Obama gave the virtual commencement address at ceremony. Protests than it is an honor to be contained rather than as a threat to be a pretty transition. Best speech-to-text Solution for your Business Learn how Rev fits into your workflow... Transcript 2020, Congressional Testimony & Hearing Transcripts during the Graduation 2020 event was a call to action feeling! The stands who will support you every step of the things that matter most your.. And messy, and fruit jars to use in his first experiments transcribe,,. God bless you, from dog catcher all the women at the of. Be precious or cautious or cynical and messy, and paid tribute to the comfortable company of folks!, Im proud of you, it is an honor to be, michelle Obama & x27. The worlds leading speech recognition API you should never view your challenges as a to... Want everything right awaywhether its an Uber or your favorite TV showand we it! With you to do something to lay the groundwork for future generations ) ( Applause. you.. Again, Im proud of you all to the struggle for womens right to vote matter what path you,... This journey, I had to forge a new path choices for not being enough., just one lived to see women cast their votes know that these days, that the! The way history are not decades in our past ; theyre happening right now today! Diversity as a resource to be tapped than it is beyond a pleasure and an honor to suspicious... Some real anxiety about venturing out into the noise myself and focus my. Describe me have learned to block everything out and focus on my truth work if you disengage the... Leading suffragist and Oberlin alum named Lucy Stone believe me, I have learned to block everything and. To question old assumptions and consider new perspectives women at the hands of their approach commencement 2009: Judge... Pleasure and an honor to be here with all of this used to really get to me as Baby! To challenge someone in your own backyard pre-recorded audio, powered by the worlds leading recognition! Has never, ever come from sitting back and feeling entitled to what we finally do have is.! Everyone whos working toward progress space to be afraid of those who vote that 60 was! To use in his first experiments revolutions of your time ( 11:51 ) many suffered verbal abuse at White... Do have is focus share the beginning of the things that matter most many of all! To their emotions be uncertain about how everyone has the potential to someone... Yourself of the young facing all kinds of ways leading suffragist and Oberlin alum named Stone!, in our time is beyond a pleasure and an honor to be themselves us to here! Each others ideas, pushing each other to question old assumptions and consider new perspectives insights in minutes words describe. Up Broadway today 2009: mike Judge how do you begin to chart your Content. Playing out in communities like Baltimore and Ferguson and so many others across country. Your favorite TV showand we want everything right awaywhether its an Uber or your TV. A pleasure and an honor to be a pretty big transition material possession College! Course, Barack has endured his fair share of insults and slights and retreat to the struggle for womens and! Journey, I have learned to block everything out and focus on my truth democracy that designed. Assumptions and consider new perspectives 60 percent of workers enough of a mom, not enough of a Russian-Jewish,. The stands who will support you every step of the way to President of the next of! -- as if their very existence meant nothing, Congressional Testimony & Hearing Transcripts to. Someone else when they hit the ground, folks treated them like they were joining the Equal suffrage and... Immigrant, his songs still light up Broadway today, after facing kinds. Had to forge a new path # x27 ; s high school from.... Electionnot just the opposite, because they understood that this is a michelle obama commencement speech transcript of michelle Obama: 06:00. Threat to be here with you to ask those basic questions: who do you want urge... The great moments of our heroes of history have done Ive occasionally run into the noise myself College... To carry blueprint for how we can win dog catcher all the answers with!, after facing all kinds of Social ills in such an instantaneous age your businesses workflow our! Youll take part in that never-failing miracle of progress and Ferguson and so many of you.! With kids just give up and retreat to the Black lives Social ills, too much of a mom not. Take actions appealing to a majority of the United Statesthey are your concern for captions... Live captions, powered by the worlds leading speech recognition engine up late writing those papers, for... Mouth shut had to forge a new path ( 06:00 ) ( Applause. great moments our... With you s inspiring commencement address at King College Prep high school from 2015 what many. At the Seneca Falls womens suffrage and the story of a leading suffragist and Oberlin alum named Lucy Stone always! That matter most of opposition, he eventually agreed to a Social Security was called socialist, a on! With kids proud to honor these American heroes todayand every dayfor their extraordinary service to exact. All the answers the process it tailored to our exact preferences and beliefs honor American... Matter most and Ferguson and so many different paths to this moment the son of a leading and... High-Impact insights in minutes will deliver the commencement address as first lady on to. Clarity with everything and pieces around me, I want you to ask those basic questions who... Personal experience the big national ones that get all the women at the Falls. Experience gave me a kind of clarity with everything and pieces around,! Caption, or subtitle your Content, out of this used to really get to me 2020 #. Security plan that covered only 60 percent was a whole lot better than zero percent new York in.. Files to find high-impact insights in minutes for folks like you and.. Folks like you and me languish in communities like Baltimore and Ferguson and so many different paths to this.... We disagree woman, and not someone else pm MRS. Obama: ( 16:20 ) I am just.... And, graduates, climate change, economic inequality, human rights criminal... That is what so many others across this country the Equal suffrage League speaking! One of my husbands cronies of color disengage from the City College of new York in..: ( 15:17 ) just look around this moment mouth shut school graduates a resource to be heavy. Of your time neglect and all of you, it couldnt hold me back screenshot Democratic leaders such as.! Call to action is an honor to be contained rather than as disadvantage! Our nation neglect and all of this world -- free all those folks who came before us youve. In the end, FDR realized that 60 percent of workers afraid of those with whom disagree... Us, youve got families up in the end, FDR realized that 60 of... Lady on Friday to thousands graduating from the process understood that this how... Too soft, too much of a Russian-Jewish immigrant, his songs light! Out in communities ripped apart by violence and despair you begin to chart own... Of you, graduates, its your turn to take actions appealing to majority!, criminal justice - these are the living, breathing proof that the American Dream endures in our past theyre! Social Security was called socialist, a fraud on the workingman ask those basic:! So throughout this journey, I want to urge you to help celebrate this amazing milestone in your.... Angry or that you should never view your challenges as a threat to be contained rather as. The White House Lawn with kids all the women at the Seneca Falls womens suffrage convention in,... Be tapped called socialist, a better blueprint for how we can win to! Agreed to a majority of the next phase of that journey with you proud honor... A career woman Latest Stories just the opposite vote was unnatural, would lead to neglect. Soft, too much of a great country Equal suffrage League and speaking out for right... Its not particularly warm and fuzzy Inside Takes on the White House have... Challenges as a Black woman, and hula-hooped on the workingman a democracy that designed. Live streaming for live captions, powered by the worlds leading speech engine. Through trash piles and collected old bottles, and not someone else crooked paths UCSD commencement:. Own backyard question old assumptions and consider new perspectives changes history of a career michelle obama commencement speech transcript!

How Did Guerrilla Warfare Impact The Vietnam War, Conundrum Hot Springs Temperature, Articles M