I think this article missed the money quote of that speech: “You have to go through life with more than passion for change. You need a strategy” This address is worth a full listen if you have 30 minutes to spare. His remarks start at about the 1:30 mark.
Once again, President Obama hit it out of the park with his speech. He was inspiring and humorous, and he weaved various elements in history and his own life to deliver his overall theme.
By the end, I was ready to march.
I can’t picture a god help us, president Trump speaking at any college commencement. He’d be calling the graduates losers and tell them that his grades were much better.
Obama, 54, opened by telling the graduates that most of them were just starting high school when he was first elected in 2008.
“I used to joke about being old. Now I realize I’m old. It’s not a joke anymore,” he said.
He’s also the first President in my lifetime that’s younger than myself. Makes me realize how old I’m getting now too…and yeah, its no longer a joke.
Loved his address. It was heartfelt and brilliant. I’m gonna miss his candor in our politics, that’s for sure.
That speech was one of the President’s best - he delivered it with the wisdom, passion, grace, and perspective to validate its powerful message. I would encourage all of you to give it a listen.
The country is still mired in the 1850’s. Yes, laws are better, but our hearts remain hateful.
As a black person I do admire President Obama’s wit and intelligence. I also respect his right to his opinions even when I don’t always agree with them. Loved the photos family members posted on FB who were there for one of my junior cousins’ graduation.
He looks awesome in that regalia. Three stripes = boss.
The only good thing I can say about the upcoming election is that no matter who wins, at least we’ll go back to having a President who’s older than I am.
The President actually put it in the face of the “both parties are the same” “all ruled by the oligarchy” cynics with what he had to go through dealing with the Illuminutty Republican Party to get vital legislation passed.
When I went to the John Stewart rally in DC not one word about voting. Not a peep from him or Colbert.
Obama and Trump represent the differences between the majority voter of each party so well. They are like complete opposite on so many issues that matter. One will take us forward and upward the other backwards and downwards.
Edit: Krugman point out the differences between the voters of each candidate
I went to a pretty good ceremony at UNC-CH but a bit too long. A lot of reminders about the progress that has been made racially and male/female. Still seems like a higher ration of white asian than black. I think that’s just going to take some more time and start in grade schools. My kids started in an elementary where, as white kids, they were probably actually a minority, but as they progressed to middle, high, and finally college, the percentage of blacks decreases with each step.