Obama Farewell Address

1/11/2017

Hi Folks,

Please add a comment responding to a specific portion of Obama's Farewell Address last night. You can respond by:

highlighting a portion of the speech that resonated with you
highlighting a portion of the speech you agree with
highlighting a portion of the speech with disagree with
reflecting on a portion of the speech

Note: You should highlight a specific part of the speech, do not just speak generally! If you need a transcript you can find it here!

13 Comments

Muskan Kapoor

1/12/2017 11:36:22 am

"Let me tell you, this generation coming up — unselfish, altruistic, creative, patriotic — I’ve seen you in every corner of the country." This line was the most appealing and emotional line for me. Being a member of the youth, it gave me an unusual optimistic hope for the future. Even it was Obama's highly hopeful attitude, it has convinced me that this is my nation and I can't let the imperfections of this nation remain. We are all advocating the falseness of justice and imperfection of our nation, even if it is simply having a discussion in Ms. Waller's class. We can not simply be the next generation, but we have to actually act upon on our discussions, as Obama empathized.

Arvin Lin

1/12/2017 03:13:34 pm

"You were the change. The answer to people’s hopes and, because of you, by almost every measure, America is a better, stronger place than it was when we started". This statements hold deep in my heart because I agree that when Obama started his term he did not predicted the accomplishment he has made. Instead, the people with a voice, determination and courage were the ones who made the change because we go out of our way to fight for what we believe in. If it was not for the voice of the people then Obama would not have pass laws such as marriage in the same sex. We are the voice of our nation and the voice of change. Now that Trump will soon be in office, I hope that a message stays with everyone is that we will not be defeated. We will voice and fight for our freedom and rights. With leadership and optimism we can do anything in our power to change our nation into a nation who accepts our differences as well as becoming a more free place for everyone no matter the race, skin tone or nationality. We are the next generation who will make a change and leave our footsteps behind for the younger generation to look up too. Never forget that there is always hope within ourselves as well as in this country. Lastly, I want to thank President Obama for becoming one of the best president we ever had!

Lexie Brown

1/12/2017 04:58:19 pm

The Obama farewell address made me feel motivated to be able to change the way things are now. I felt like we were taking 10 steps back by electing someone who supported racism. Look at where that got us all those years ago, slavery. Instead of seeing it like that I can push it be another step in moving forward with our progress. Seeing him standing on that stage knowing this is the end of his days leading us really touched my heart. He was not only our first black president, which I thought was amazing, but he was an outstanding one at that. I feel like he touched so many people and had this way of uniting us no matter what we believe in and our differences are. He made it feel like he was just another citizen within the crowd. He words he says make you feel and think about how to bring upon change and make our country a better place for everyone to live in. He brought out all the good parts of America with the words he spoke. He showed me that it doesn't matter what the person next to me thinks that we can both unite and make a change. That the citizens are the ones that hold power in this country and we need to be the ones to do something instead of sit by and let anything happen. He encourages my generation of people to really step up and take control. He changed the way I felt about the 2016 election and gave me hope again. When he said that America was never great I wanted to make it great. I want to make it a place where everyone feels safe and is accepted no matter what the differences between people are. He made me know that we can build it into a place like that and that hope isn't lost. He has done a lot of great things for me in his 8 years in office but out of all of them the best one was give me hope when I had none and needed it most.

Lexie Brown

1/12/2017 04:59:54 pm

"So that’s what we mean when we say America is exceptional. Not that our nation has been flawless from the start, but that we have shown the capacity to change, and make life better for those who follow."

Enmanuel Bencosme

1/12/2017 06:06:46 pm

In his farewell address Obama says "I am asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about change - but in yours." This is one of the lines that stuck with me the most as he encourages all of us to take a stand and if we want something done to do it ourselves. He distills into every single one of us the idea that this is our country and if we want change, we are the ones that have to make it happen and not simply stand by. There seems to be an increase in the youth's participation in movements and discussions of political issues which we can thank people like Obama for.

Adikshya Panthi

1/12/2017 07:35:34 pm

"Now this is where I learned that change only happens when ordinary people get involved, and they get engaged, and they come together to demand it."
- I completely agree with his thought. Often we see many people demanding for change but when it comes to show through their actions or participate in some form to bring that change they don't step up. They wait for others to do it for them. Well if everyone thinks like that then what they are asking for will never happen. So if people like us come together and work together, we can achieve whatever we want and be successful to bring changes.

Tina

1/13/2017 06:48:44 am

"Understand democracy does not require uniformity. Our founders argued, they quarreled, and eventually they compromised. They expected us to do the same. But they knew democracy require a basic sense of solidarity. The idea that for all our outward differences, we're all in this together, that we rise or fall as one." This quote stood out to me the most because it basically summarized the purpose of Obama's speech. Obama tried to make others see that we must put down our differences and disagreements in order to come together, because we are stronger together. He tried to illustrate that despite many objections regarding Trump's presidency, this is what makes America a democratic republic. It is a nation that was constructed on the ideas of freedom. Freedom of speech paved way for the freedom of thought, freedom of objection, and freedom from enslavement of the mind. These freedoms showered upon the youth of America, allows the nurturing of a well-educated new generation. A generation no longer deprived of the seeds essential to grow. A child with a dream will eventually become an adult with vision.

Justin

1/13/2017 07:25:37 am

"I’ve seen our doctors and volunteers rebuild after earthquakes and stop pandemics in their tracks. I’ve seen the youngest of children remind us through their actions and through their generosity of our obligations to care for refugees or work for peace and, above all, to look out for each other. So that faith that I placed all those years ago, not far from here, in the power of ordinary Americans to bring about change, that faith has been rewarded in ways I could not have possibly imagined." This part in Obama's speech gives the future of America hope, because Obama talks about how the youngest of people has made an impact in the world, and that no matter who you are that you can make a change. Obama specifically says "ordinary Americans' to persuade people that anyone can help in making sure that the future of America is secure and in good hands.

Ruhith Ahmed

1/13/2017 07:33:03 am

Towards the conclusion of Obama's speech, he mentioned that he saw the World's youth "from all corners of the Earth," and how we're all striving to make a change. I think that was a very important aspect to touch on because America's youth, as well as the World's, are the people of the future. We are the most influenced being young and still in our adolescense, and it's important that we are influenced by the right cocepts and beliefs. Obama was our President for the past 8 years, and we're already accustomed to his ideologies since he's made such an entrenched impact on America's youth. Not just him, but Michelle as well. And it's crucial that we keep his concepts and lessons rampant moving forward in our lives, since his polar opposite is going to be taking office in less than a week. And since most of the world looks up at America, the American youth can finally spread their knowledge throughout the world. And if the World's youth can be as strong as Obama believes it can, then people like Trump don't have shit on us. Inshallah we'll get through this, and make the world a better place for everyone, no matter age, gender, or skin tone.

Ruhith Ahmed

1/13/2017 07:34:46 am

Correction: Obama stated verbatim ""Let me tell you, this generation coming up — unselfish, altruistic, creative, patriotic — I’ve seen you in every corner of the country." But we can still make a difference and be the exemplary for children all around the world.

Nicola Bajor

1/13/2017 07:55:53 am

Throughout Obama's farewell speech he first addresses the history of American democracy. Pointing out progress that has been made while explicitly stating the hardships and unfairness that came along with the progress"Yes, our progress has been uneven. The work of democracy has always been hard. It has been contentious. Sometimes it has been bloody." .Thus, further instilling a gimps of hope for us millennials who are witnessing a controversial upcoming president.By explaining how democracy works to help restore faith in Americans, Obama explaining that Trumps election is an example of democracy itself.

Myar Alkhuaqi

1/13/2017 09:00:49 am

"Let me tell you, this generation coming up — unselfish, altruistic, creative, patriotic — I’ve seen you in every corner of the country." This is one of the quotes that stuck with me the most. I feel like our generation is stigmatized to be selfish, lazy and unintelligent but to hear the president of the United States to say this and encourage us to make change is really up lifting. Obama explained what democracy really is to us and how if we want a change we have to get up and start the change ourself. He gave us an optimistic outlook on the next four years and was able to give the next generation hope that things will get better if we put it in our own hands to do good.

Marin Marinov

1/15/2017 09:44:44 am

What really resonated within me while listening to Obama’s farewell address was the way he talked about facing problems. He talked about getting up and working for the change you want to see in the world. He talked about talking with people you argue on the internet in order to understand them. This promoted peace as well as maturity. Obama believed that we can all bring change. When Obama said this, he brought out a very important message. By saying these words, he pointed out how the president is not invincible, and that the people are the ones who bring out true change. It demonstrated how your opinions and votes do matter to making a greater America. Another part of Obama’s farewell address that resonated with me was the way he talked about his wife, children, and vice president. He was always very respectful as well as thankful for everything that they did. Most of all, he never forgot that he was a father and he had a duty towards his family.

Obama Farewell Address

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