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. And when he was up in the sky, Charles sometimes looked down to see black folks out in the cotton fields not far from here -- the same fields where decades before, their ancestors as slaves. 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. 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. They are not an excuse to lose hope. That leads me to my second lesson, in an uncertain world time tested values like honesty and integrity, empathy and compassion. Aniyah, thank you for. (Applause.) 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! Michelle Obama Commencement Speech Transcript 2020, Congressional Testimony & Hearing Transcripts. Just the opposite, because what we finally do have is focus. Your day. So throughout this journey, I have learned to block everything out and focus on my truth. Thank you so much. 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. We fill our Twitter feed with voices that confirm, rather than challenge, our views. If we dislike someones Facebook post, we just un-follow them, we un-friend them. Better yet, run for office yourself. (Applause.) And I hope that youre excited to get started on that next chapter. Think about that brilliant scientist who made his lab from a trash pile. And while were reaching out, please lets give everyone whos working toward progress space to be themselves. 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. You dont get to have no hands. 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. Some of you have risked the rejection of your families to pursue your education. Ive seen you speaking out in gun violence and fight climate change. ), Are you planning to rally for marriage equality on the steps of the Supreme Court? It starts where change always starts in your own home, in your own social circles, in your own neighborhoods, at your own dinner tables. Because while weve come so far, the truth is that those age-old problems are stubborn and they havent fully gone away. So we need to invest in and strengthen our public universities today, and for generations to come. You all have worked so hard and come so far to reach this milestone, so I know this is a big day for all of you and your families, and for everyone at this school who supported you on this journey. Just one. Get in there. Maybe they just arrived here recently, determined to give you a better life. 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. Maybe your parents are expecting you to come back home after you graduate -- but youre feeling a pull to travel the world. Back in those days, I had a lot of sleepless nights, worrying about what people thought of me, wondering if I might be hurting my husbands chances of winning his election, fearing how my girls would feel if they found out what some people were saying about their mom. No, were all in this together. 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. They were leading civil rights marches and sit-ins, organizing exchange programs with historically black colleges and universities, and so much more. If were only willing to do whats easiest, weve got to make hard choices and sacrifices in our own lives. If you cant even approach the police without fearing for your life. Yes! But, graduates, I can tell you, as First Lady, I have had the privilege of traveling around the world and visiting dozens of different countries, and I have seen what happens when ideas like these take hold. (Laughter.) Subscribe. The obligation to use the opportunities youve had to help others. 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 MRS. OBAMA: Wow! Think about how just 10 years ago, gay marriage was legal in just one state in this countryjust oneand today, it is legal in 37 states and Washington, D.C. Juggling multiple jobs to support your families and pay your tuition. (Applause.) (Applause.) We can take on those deep-rooted problems, and together -- together -- we can overcome anything that stands in our way. And I'm so glad to be here. Photo: AP. But that experience gave me a kind of clarity with everything and pieces around me, I had to forge a new path. First of all, it is beyond a pleasure and an honor to be here to celebrate the City College of New York Class of 2016! The vibrancy that comes from a diversity of ideas and perspectives, the chance to leave this world a little better than you found it. 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. . You speak more than 100 different languages -- whoa, just stop there. (Applause. But just like all those folks who came before us, youve got to do something to lay the groundwork for future generations. (Applause.). In fact, I sometimes have that instinct myselfrun! ), I should be here today. 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. Follow whats happening in your city hall, your statehouse, Washington, D.C. Thank you all. Dont deprive yourselves of all that. The son of a Russian-Jewish immigrant, his songs still light up Broadway today. One of those first pilots, a man named Charles DeBow, put it this way. 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. (Applause.) Those Airmen who rose above brutal discrimination -- they did it so the whole world could see just how high black folks could soar. What do I care about? 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. But remember that one rule is keep mom happy. (Laughter.) He became a high school English teacher and a college lecturer. Who are the incumbents and the candidates at every level of government, not just president, but state representative, city council, prosecutors, sheriff. 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. 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. Speech Michelle Obama, the former first lady, was the keynote speaker on the first night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention. Thank you. You are the living, breathing proof that the American Dream endures in our time. (Laughter and applause.) We need you to channel the magic of Tuskegee toward the challenges of today. Would I be more like Laura Bush, or Hillary Clinton, or Nancy Reagan? (Applause.) Hey everybody. 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. Under Title 17 U.S.C. Michelle Obama: (03:42) (Applause.). 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. Section 107, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. But its no coincidence that were both urging you to get involved in civic life. (Applause.) And finally, most of all, I want to congratulate the men and women of the Tuskegee University Class of 2015! (Applause.) (Applause.) Michelle Obama: (06:00) 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. 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. 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. Discover why Rev is the #1 speech-to-text service in the world. Some want to march right up in front, others prefer to stay back, some kneel in the pews, others on the street corner, some canvas their neighborhoods, others run for office. 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. 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. Was he thrilled about that? And all of this used to really get to me. 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. Traitors to their cause? Michelle Obama: (11:00) More than anything else, graduates, that is the American story. They had every material possession a college kid could want - cars, computers, spending money. Yet when they hit the ground, folks treated them like they were nobody -- as if their very existence meant nothing. To succumb to feelings of despair and anger only means that in the end, we lose. (Applause.) Not when women still make less than men for the same work. Somehow, you still managed to do prestigious internships and research fellowships, and join all kinds of clubs and activities. Treating people right will never ever fail you. So go out there and make it happen. The educational theater student from right here in Harlem whos already an award-winning playwright and recently spoke at the White House. The world wont always see you in those caps and gowns. Those moments when your classmates showed you that your stubborn opinion wasnt all that well-informed -- mmm hmm. No, you dont get to be precious or cautious or cynical. So Id say that debate was pretty polarized, wouldnt you? Her opponents declared that letting women vote was unnatural, would lead to child neglect and all kinds of social ills. Because even if youre nervous or unsure about what path to take in the years ahead, I want you to realize that youve got everything you need right now to succeed. Michelle obama speech transcript 2020 AP-21. (Applause.) Ive experienced a little bit of it myself. 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. Not just when my husband or somebody you like is on the ballot. 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. Its the news, without the news. Do you know how to request a mail in ballot? Well done! And in many ways, this is a big day for me too. That is what so many of our heroes of history have done. Maybe it feels like youre supposed to go to law school -- but what you really want to do is to teach little kids. (Applause.) They built coalitions with folks like them and different from them. I want you to act with both your mind, but also your heart. Instead, its important for you to understand that your experience facing and overcoming adversity is actually one of your biggest advantages. And as the years pass, youll feel the same freedom that Charles DeBow did when he was taking off in that airplane. Create a better, more engaging experience for every student. You see, graduates, I didnt start out as the fully-formed First Lady who stands before you today. Michelle Obama gave a powerful commencement address to the high school and college graduates in the class of 2020. (Applause.) Congratulations. (Applause.) This is it. T-U! (Applause.) (Applause.) "Leave behind all the old ways of thinking that divide us: sexism, racial prejudice, status, greed," Obama said . (Applause.). I am just overwhelmed. (Applause.) And, graduates, its the story that I witness every single day when I wake up in a house that was built by slaves, and I watch my daughters - two beautiful, black young women - head off to school -- (applause) -- waving goodbye to their father, the President of the United States, the son of a man from Kenya who came here to American -- to America for the same reasons as many of you: To get an education and improve his prospects in life. (Laughter.). Michelle Obama kicked off her "Dear Class of 2020" graduation speech with a list of uncomfortable questions and truths. Read the full transcript of her speech here. Let me tell you it is a pleasure and an honor -- yes, Chicago -- (laughter and applause) -- to be with all of you today. (Applause.) The website is no longer updated and links to external websites and some internal pages may not work. Thank you so much. Its you. (Laughter.). Look at where were gathered today. Well done. And you dont have to be President of the United States to start addressing things like poverty, and education, and lack of opportunity. May 11, 2015. 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. 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. Yay, moms! You have developed that muscle. Instead they will make assumptions about who they think you are based on their limited notion of the world. Michelle Obama Gives Commencement Speech By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS June 3, 2016 Michelle Obama said that in America "we don't build up walls to keep people out" as she delivered the. Generation after generation, this country has become more equal, more inclusive, more fair, more free. Just look at the story of Oberlin College. The two-hour event, "Show Me Your. (Laughter.) Maybe they dont even want to see you at all, but those people dont know your story. Thats just the way things are now. I want to recognize Major General Williams; Congresswoman Sewell; Zachary; Kalauna; to all of the trustees, the faculty, the staff here at Tuskegee University. And the truth is, those same questions would have been posed to any candidates spouse. See, that is how you will rise above the noise and shape the revolutions of your time. But heres the thing -- our history provides us with a better story, a better blueprint for how we can win. First lady Michelle Obama delivers. But in every election at every level, all of the time. See, this is my very last commencement address as First Lady of the United States. And my husband and I know how frustrating that experience can be. It is loud and messy, and its not particularly warm and fuzzy. 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. (Laughter.) And heres what I really want you to know -- you have got everything you need to do this. 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.. Well done. Read the full transcript of Michelle Obama's Democratic National Convention speech Posted: Jul 26, 2016 / 08:02 AM CDT Updated: Jul 26, 2016 / 02:45 PM CDT And I want to thank President Tatum for her leadership and for that very kind and generous introduction. And Id like to begin today by reflecting on that history -- starting back at the time when the Army chose Tuskegee as the site of its airfield and flight school for black pilots. Published May 16, 2010 Updated on May 16, 2010 at 1:46 pm. Youve got it. The Complete Text Transcripts of Over 100 Barack Obama Speeches Where women are full participants in a country's politics or economy, societies are continue likely the succeed. And as so often as the case, these questions compound upon themselves, see if youre struggling already just to keep your head above water. It will be stressful and frustrating, and youll probably have to make some painful compromises along the way. New York, New York, MRS. OBAMA: Wow! Today, I want to suggest that if you truly wish to carry on the Oberlin legacy of service and social justice, then you need to run to, and not away from, the noise. It is beyond a pleasure and an honor for me to be here with all of you today. (Applause.). 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.) It's a hard time, and everyone's feeling. And Im impressed by the community that you all have created herea warm, supportive, inclusive community that embodies the values that define this school. Graduates, you all are exactly what we need right now and for the years and decades to come, youre learning so much so quickly. This is it. Calculate how much it costs to transcribe, caption, or subtitle your content. And youve taken so many different paths to this moment. Thats how we make progress for ourselves and for our country. But that has only happened because folks like all of you left their comfort zones and made their voices heard. (Applause.) YouTube Michelle also explained how to channel anger for good. Speech-to-Text live streaming for live captions, powered by the worlds leading speech recognition API. What ideas are we missing? Search over 350 speeches by name,. As the annual blitz of commencement speeches get underway, CNN highlights some of the most memorable from years past. Instead, make a decision to use your privilege and your voice for the things that really matter, which is my third lesson today, to share that voice with the rest of the world. I wish you the best of luck. No, not when the earth is warming and the oceans are rising. His commencement speech during the Graduation 2020 event was a call to action. And no matter what path you choose, I want you to make sure its you choosing it, and not someone else. Thank you for allowing me to share this final commencement with you. 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. It didnt change who I was. Youre looking good! Dr. King was angry. If my generation did trust me, wed have fixed the whole of this long time ago, but that doesnt mean we should feel hopeless. You rob yourself of the things that matter most. (Applause. 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. So on behalf of your students, I just want to show you all some love today, as well. They did it so that others could follow them and learn on this campus, too. They knew that our policies matter. Well, the reality is a lot more complicated than that because for too many people in this country, no matter how hard they work, there are structural barriers working against them that just make the road longer and rockier. And if you think todays gridlock is bad, let me remind you that it was a good century between the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation and the passage of the civil rights legislation of the 1960s. What kinds of issues would I take on? Read his full commencement address here. Barack Obama gave a speech in a HBCU virtual commencement, in which he criticized US leadership. (Applause.) He kept lifting other folks up through education. You all, I mean, this has been the most fun I think Ive had at a commencement ever. 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. Now, some folks criticized my choices for not being bold enough. Because no matter what happened, I had the peace of mind of knowing that all of the chatter, the name calling, the doubting -- all of it was just noise. Sixteen million people who finally have health insurance. I celebrated military kids with Kermit the Frog. Former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama gave a virtual video speech on July 13 to the 2020 Girl Up Leadership Summit attendees. They spat on her. I believe in you all. First lady Michelle Obama gave a commencement speech at Tuskegee University's graduation ceremony Saturday in which she discussed the school's importance in African American history . To have you be seen, but not heard. Background Info Message: In her commencement speech, Michelle Obama talks about how everyone has the potential to become someone important. And believe me, I understand that kind of pressure. Obama spoke . 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. 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. And while the history of this campus isnt perfect, the defining story of Tuskegee is the story of rising hopes and fortunes for all African Americans. Michelle Obama: (07:10) (Applause.) Former First Lady Michelle Obama gave a commencement address online to the graduating class of 2020. Heres the thing, you have the opportunity to learn these valuable lessons faster than the generations before you. 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. Michelle Obama calls for sticking to the personal individuality. I've been watching! And, graduates, that is how you will carry on the proud legacy of this great institution for generations to come. Obama touched on the background of the school, the background of her own family and how it will inform the future of the graduates. (Applause.) Let me just take it in. 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. Transcripts & captions for a better media workflow. But unlike so many other young people, you have already developed the resilience and the maturity that you need to pick yourself up and dust yourself off and keep moving through the pain, keep moving forward. Sojourner Truth was angry. We want everything right awaywhether its an Uber or your favorite TV showand we want it tailored to our exact preferences and beliefs. What inspires you? The first is this life will always be uncertain. (Laughter.) (Laughter.). The biomedical science major who was born in Afghanistan and plans to be a doctor, a policy maker and an educator. 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. Thank you -- thank you so much for this warm welcome, this tremendous hospitality. You all have come here from all across the country to study, to learn, maybe have a little fun along the way -- from freshman year in Adams or Younge Hall -- (applause) -- to those late night food runs to The Coop. 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. 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? And even here at Oberlin, most of the time youre probably surrounded by folks who share your beliefs. And that is how all those infusions of new cultures and ideas, generation after generation, created the matchless alchemy of our melting pot and helped us build the strongest, most vibrant, most prosperous nation on the planet, right here. And the first thing we have to do is vote. And they also understood that often, the biggest, most dramatic change happens incrementally, little by little, through compromises and adjustments over years and decades. I have learned that as long as I hold fast to my beliefs and values -- and follow my own moral compass -- then the only expectations I need to live up to are my own. But I have traveled the world and seeing the governments and people in so many other countries. Michelle Obama: (15:17) (Applause.) Every time we look at our phones or hear helicopters circling our neighborhoods. 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. I am proud to have this degree -- very proud. And those interactions have been such a critical part of your education at this school. 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. Not when too many young people still languish in communities ripped apart by violence and despair. But, graduates, let me tell you, you should never, ever be embarrassed by those struggles. And I know, as President Krislov understands, that electing the right folks mattersit matters a lot. A woman who is, first and foremost, a mom. Meet the change Inside Takes on the Latest Stories . "Over the past couple of months, our foundation has been shaken," If youre living in a constant state of fear, how much farther behind will you be after months in quarantine and without a job. That is how you will do your part to live up to the oath that you all will take here today - the oath taken by generations of graduates before you to make your city and your world greater, better, and more beautiful.. The personal individuality not work but I have traveled the world wont always see you all. All some love today, as President Krislov understands, that is the American story time! Your heart they had every material possession a college lecturer Id say debate... Our exact preferences and beliefs helicopters circling our neighborhoods Broadway today so others... And shape the revolutions of your students, I have learned to block everything out and focus on truth! A commencement ever and research fellowships, and not someone else and people in so many our! 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