“You know that constant change has been America's hallmark, that it is not something to fear but something to embrace. You are willing to carry this hard work of democracy forward.”
I decided to re-watch Obama’s Farewell Address. I remember turning it on about two years ago, and I was only able to catch the last twenty minutes. I ended up sobbing for a few reasons, mostly because the results of the 2016 presidential election were still an open wound, and Donald Trump would be inaugurated as our president within the next two weeks. I was also just genuinely going to miss President Obama, and from the standing ovations he received before and after his speech, it seemed as though so was the rest of America. His farewell address gives countless reasons to miss such an honorable, charismatic, and optimistic person as our president.
Throughout the speech he references the accomplishments of him and his cabinet: peacefully shutting down Iran’s nuclear weapons program, “taking out” Osama Bin Laden, granting marriage equality nationally, and securing the right to health care (yes, he called it a right!). He also refuses to take full credit for these accomplishments, always humbly putting these achievements in the hands of the citizens, reminding us that this is what will guide us towards a better future and a better America. He says “Our democracy is threatened whenever we take it for granted,” telling us that if we would really like to see change happen, than we must vote. From his speech I learned about how America has one of the lowest voting rates among advanced democracies, and I look forward to being part of a generation to change that.
Obama talks about race gracefully and unapologetically but always trying to see things from both perspectives, something he suggests Americans should try in order to sustain a united foundation in this country. My favorite point that he makes when discussing race is that although it is beneficial to try to view society in the eyes of someone who is visibly born with less privilege (“the refugee, immigrant, the rural poor, the transgender American”), it should be equally as beneficial to do the same with “the middle-aged white man” as he calls it. He speaks openly about how race relations, despite being better than they were ten years ago, continues to have room for improvement. He advocates for respecting immigrants, solving climate change, and participating in peaceful protest, all of which the president-elect had publicly denounced in one way or the other.
When Obama had referenced the inauguration which would follow within the next ten days, the audience booed, to which Obama scolded his audience accordingly. Despite a public endorsement for Hillary Clinton, Obama understood the impact of having a peaceful transfer of power especially after such an inflammatory election season. He understood that it was not what the people wanted to hear, but it was clearly something they needed to hear. It was definitely something I needed to hear. He ends his speech on an emotional note (where I was wiping tears simultaneously with Malia Obama), thanking Michelle, Malia and Sasha, Joe and Jill Biden, his staff, and all organizers. As he thanked and congratulated the American people, he relishes in America’s accomplishments over those eight years. I felt rewarded after watching this to its entirety. He gave his audience hope that America would be better than okay because he has so much faith in the spirit of the youth of this great nation, and after experiencing this speech, I think everyone should.
- “If we're unwilling to invest in the children of immigrants just because they don't look like us, we will diminish the prospects of our own children because those brown kids will represent a larger and larger share of America's workforce.”
- “When they wage peaceful protest, they're not demanding special treatment, but the equal treatment that our founders promised.”
- "Michelle LaVaughn Robinson, girl of the south side -- For the past twenty five years, you have not only been my wife and mother of my children, you have been my best friend."
- (Personal favorite) "Malia and Sasha...you wore the burden of years in the spotlight so easily. Of all that I have done in my life, I am most proud to be your dad."(This one actually makes me cry every time, including when I just copied and pasted this from the transcript.)