See, all of you know, for centuries, this city has been the gateway to America for so many striving, hope-filled immigrants -- folks who left behind everything they knew to seek out this land of opportunity that they dreamed of. I certainly hope so. Obama spoke . (Applause.) Under Title 17 U.S.C. (Applause.) You have developed that muscle. It was also Michelle Obama's first commencement address as First Lady. (Applause.) 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. MRS. OBAMA: Oh, I. So, graduates, thats what I want for all of you. 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. Generation after generation, students here have shown that same grit, that same resilience to soar past obstacles and outrages -- past the threat of countryside lynchings; past the humiliation of Jim Crow; past the turmoil of the Civil Rights era. I really am. 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 when they helped you with a question that you couldnt have possibly answered on your own. Very proud. Translated on-screen subtitles for videos. (Applause.). 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. Become a freelancer and work on your own terms. June 3, 2016, 7:00 PM. It will be hard. Somehow, you still managed to do prestigious internships and research fellowships, and join all kinds of clubs and activities. No, were all in this together. (Applause.) Get in there. By channeling that discomfort you feel into activism and a democracy that was designed to respond to those who vote. Thank you. But when anger is focused, when its channeled into something more, oh, that is the stuff that changes history. You dont get to be cynical. So he dug through trash piles and collected old bottles, and tea cups, and fruit jars to use in his first experiments. Thank you. I have so much faith in who you will be. They don't know that part of you. So we cannot allow our hurt and our frustration to turn us against each other, to cancel somebody elses point of view. 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. Transcribe Your Own Content Try Rev for free and save time transcribing, captioning, and subtitling. Because here is the truth -- if you want to have a say in your community, if you truly want the power to control your own destiny, then youve got to be involved. Are you thinking of teaching in an under-served school? 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. Create a better, more engaging experience for every student. Transcribe Your Own Content Try Rev for free and save time transcribing, captioning, and subtitling. (Applause.) The website is no longer updated and links to external websites and some internal pages may not work. Do you know when your primary elections are held? If youre living in a constant state of fear, how much farther behind will you be after months in quarantine and without a job. We want everything right awaywhether its an Uber or your favorite TV showand we want it tailored to our exact preferences and beliefs. (Applause.) And Im so proud of you both -- and to your families, congratulations. So we thought we'd take a look at some of the best celebrity commencement speeches that aren't just - believe it or not - 1) monosyllabic words 2) comments about the size of the crowd or 3) attacks against the press and "pathetic" haters. But I have traveled the world and seeing the governments and people in so many other countries. It does not work if you disengage from the process. (Applause.) (Applause.) 1 Michelle Obama's memoir 'Becoming' sells 2 million copies in 15 days to become bestselling book of 2018, publisher says November 30, 2018 2 Michelle Obama says her brother is still their mother's favorite, shares her post-White House bucket list November 13, 2018 3 Michelle Obama answers self-care and parenting questions in candid Q&A 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 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. I love you all. And many of you know what its like to live not just month to month or day to day, but meal to meal. Former President Barack Obama spoke Saturday at "Graduate Together: High School Class of 2020 Commencement," an event organized by XQ Institute, a think tank that works with schools, in. (Laughter.) Thank you. No, not when the earth is warming and the oceans are rising. And youll be flying through the air, out of this world -- free. 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 Sponsors. They even threw prayer books at her as she tried to speak. Sixteen million people who finally have health insurance. (Laughter.) . First Lady Michelle Obama delivered a powerful commencement speech at Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama, on Saturday, addressing the stereotyping and pressure she feels not only . First Lady Michelle Obama used her final commencement address to deliver a series of important messages to this year's graduates. MRS. OBAMA: Thank you all. 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. Now, I dont know whether your President knows what I was going to say today, but I know that he had some kind words for you all about this issue. Michelle Obama at City College of New York in 2016. Let me just say a few thank yous. ), Back then, black soldiers faced all kinds of obstacles. But when some of them got their first bad grade, they just fell apart. How are you all doing? 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. Thank you for allowing me to share this final commencement with you. I am confident in your ability to do amazing things. So Im here today because Im proud of you all. Michelle Obama: (02:44) ), Before I begin, I just want to say that my heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Eric Marks, Jr. They act as if name-calling is an acceptable substitute for thoughtful debate, as if anger and intolerance should be our default state rather than the optimism and openness that have always been the engine of our progress. (Applause.) (Applause. 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. (Applause. I am so proud to honor these American heroes todayand every dayfor their extraordinary service to our nation. In fact, I think Dr. Martin Luther King described it well in his commencement address in 65 when he declared, Today you bid farewell to the safe security of the academic environment. Michelle Obama kicked off her "Dear Class of 2020" graduation speech with a list of uncomfortable questions and truths. This is it. (Applause.). Can Michelle Obama's speech offer, as an amendment to . Its okay if you dont understand exactly what youre feeling, were all sorting through this in real time. What kinds of issues would I take on? (Applause.) (Applause.) 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. Michelle Obama: (14:05) Section 107, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. It deadens your spirit and it hardens your heart may seem like a winning strategy in the short run. 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. God bless. And thats completely understandable. Just one. What Michelle Obama's commencement speech at the Santa Fe Indian School says about the importance of self-determination in education. 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. (Laughter.). -- Below is the full text of Michelle Obama 's speech to the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, July 25, 2016. But out in the real world, there are plenty of people who think very differently than you do, and they hold their opinions just as passionately. Maybe they dont even want to see you at all, but those people dont know your story. Ive seen you marching with peace and with purpose and that is why even in tough times like these, you continue to be what gives me hope. They sat down with leaders they disagreed with because they knew that if they wanted their vision to be made real, it needed to be made law. How do you want to give back? No, here in America, we dont let our differences tear us apart. And I know, as President Krislov understands, that electing the right folks mattersit matters a lot. Lets let our graduates rest themselves. ), And of course, let us not forget Elizabeth Aklilu for her amazing performance of the National Anthem earlier today. 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. And I hope that youre excited to get started on that next chapter. So proud of you all back there. And Im not going to lie to youfor many of you, this is going to be a pretty big transition. And no matter what path you choose, I want you to make sure its you choosing it, and not someone else. (Applause.) (Laughter and applause.) Speech Michelle Obama, the former first lady, was the keynote speaker on the first night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention. I want you to be safe and I cant wait to see you take the reins. 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! Maybe your parents are expecting you to come back home after you graduate -- but youre feeling a pull to travel the world. Graduates, today -- today, you can mentor a young person and make sure he or she takes the right path. You made it! 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. If you dont feel safe driving your own car in your own neighborhood or going for a jog or buying some candy at 7-eleven or bird watching. 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 .". Apple | Google | Spotify | Stitcher | iHeart. So, yeah, I planted a garden, and hula-hooped on the White House Lawn with kids. They did it so that others could follow them and learn on this campus, too. And dont let anybody tell you differently. I am proud to have this degree -- very proud. I wish you the best of luck. Because while weve come so far, the truth is that those age-old problems are stubborn and they havent fully gone away. Just look at the story of Oberlin College. Make your content more accessible to people with disabilities. These are the folks who pushed you and supported you. Read the full transcript of her speech here. Just keep working hard and keep the faith. 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. Would I be more like Laura Bush, or Hillary Clinton, or Nancy Reagan? 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. As the President eloquently said, at this school, you represent more than 150 nationalities. They built coalitions with folks like them and different from them. First Lady Michelle Obama delivered one of her final commencement speeches to the Santa Fe Indian School Thursday. Now, the process of democracy might not always be as fast or as smooth as wed like. If anybody is wondering about the quality of education, just listening to those two speakers lets you know whats happening here. A woman who is, first and foremost, a mom. 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. A lot of us are reckoning with the most basic essence of who we are. But that experience gave me a kind of clarity with everything and pieces around me, I had to forge a new path. MRS. OBAMA: Thank you all. And the truth is, those same questions would have been posed to any candidates spouse. It starts where change always starts in your own home, in your own social circles, in your own neighborhoods, at your own dinner tables. 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. 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. 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 . We will be there with you every step of the way. I love you all. Well done! (Applause.) And here at this nationally-ranked university, with a rigorous curriculum and renowned faculty, you rose to the challenge, distinguishing yourselves in your classes, winning countless honors and awards, and getting into top graduate schools across this country. Now, did these compromises make these leaders sellouts? (Applause. Those Airmen who rose above brutal discrimination -- they did it so the whole world could see just how high black folks could soar. Commencement Speeches First Lady Michelle Obama at Bowie State University Commencement First lady Michelle Obama delivered the commencement address to the graduating class of. 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. So its your time. (Applause.) Historic agreements to fight climate change. Debating each others ideas, pushing each other to question old assumptions and consider new perspectives. They are not an excuse to lose hope. So Id say that debate was pretty polarized, wouldnt you? You went to countless happy hours, and happy-happy hours at the Feve I hear(laughter)Im going to try one of those burgers for lunch today; thats all Im going to have(laughter)where of course, parents, thats where they studied some more. A few years later, when George Washington Carver first came here for his research, there was no laboratory. (Applause.) See, the truth is that the overwhelming majority of people in this country are open-minded and big-hearted. 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. 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? Read they first lady Michelle Obama's speech from the 2020 Democratic National Convention. And even amidst the joy and excitement of graduation, I know that you may be feeling some real sadness about leaving this community behind. It is a lesson that most of us get the chance to learn over the course of years and years, even decades, but one that youre learning right now. 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. Some do an honest days work and raise good kids. And Im honored to be here to share the beginning of the next phase of that journey with you. 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. Because right now, all that superficial stuff of titles and positions, all of that has been stripped away. (Applause.). I am proud to have this degree -- very proud. But in every election at every level, all of the time. All right? Michelle Obama: (08:23) Because in this country, its never been each person for themselves. 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