So, graduates, while I think its fair to say that our Founding Fathers never could have imagined this day, all of you are very much the fruits of their vision. 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. 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. Michelle Obama gave a powerful commencement address to the high school and college graduates in the class of 2020. All right? 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. First Lady Michelle Obama used her final commencement address to deliver a series of important messages to this year's graduates. And my dad was so proud to pay that tuition bill on time each month, even taking out loans when he fell short. First Lady Michelle Obama Commencement Speech 2015 click for pdf [AUTHENTICITY CERTIFIED: Text version below transcribed directly from audio] Thank you all. You will feel the bumps smooth off. Everybody has got to vote when the time comes, but the activism that leads up to that day comes in many forms. Thats my story. Dr. King was angry. Graduates, anger is a powerful force. Can Michelle Obama's speech offer, as an amendment to . 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. And the truth is, graduates, after four years of thoughtful, respectful discussion and debate here at Oberlinthose seminars where you explored new ideas together, those late-night conversations where you challenged each other and learned from each otherafter all of that, you might find yourself a little dismayed by the clamor outside these wallsthe name-calling, the negative ads, the folks yelling at each other on TV. First lady Michelle Obama gave the commencement address to the 2015 graduating class of Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama, in which she talks about growing into her official role, criticism . Wow, you guys are good! (Applause.) Over the years, Ive occasionally run into the noise myself. Next, Ive always felt a deep sense of obligation to make the biggest impact possible with this incredible platform. Some of you have been homeless. (Applause.) And they also understood that often, the biggest, most dramatic change happens incrementally, little by little, through compromises and adjustments over years and decades. 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. (Applause. Let's let our graduates rest themselves. (Applause.) And then they went on to become scientists, engineers, nurses and teachers in communities all across the country -- and continued to lift others up along the way. So dont ever, ever let anyone tell you that youre too angry or that you should keep your mouth shut. This is it. Translated on-screen subtitles for videos. And even after my father was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and he struggled to walk, relying on crutches just to get himself out of bed each morning, my father hardly ever missed a day of work. Today, I want to urge you to actively seek out the most contentious, polarized, gridlocked places you can find. Recently . So many kids need you. (Applause.). Read more. (Applause.) 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. Now, some folks criticized my choices for not being bold enough. Im inspired by your commitment to service and social justice. 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. God bless. Political News Video amp Analysis. But youve also got to elect good people to your school board and state legislature, because they decide whether you have the resources you need to inspire and empower your students. 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. Today, you can help your younger cousin fill out her college financial aid form so that she could be sitting in those chairs one day. Thank you for creating these fabulous individuals. These are just four of the nearly 4,000 unique and amazing stories in this graduating class - stories that have converged here at City College, this dynamic, inclusive place where you all have had the chance to really get to know each other, to listen to each others languages, to enjoy each others food -- lasagna, obviously -- (laughter) -- music, and holidays. First Lady Michelle Obama Tuskegee University Commencement Address (C-SPAN) C-SPAN 1.18M subscribers Subscribe 2.3K 202K views 7 years ago First Lady Michelle Obama delivers the. 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. They even threw prayer books at her as she tried to speak. Mike Judge on crooked paths UCSD Commencement 2009: Mike Judge They did it so that others could follow them and learn on this campus, too. (Laughter.) 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. And while that may not be the first thing that some folks want to hear from an Ivy-league educated lawyer, it is truly who I am. You deserve this celebration. Former First Lady Michelle Obama gave a commencement address online to the graduating class of 2020. 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. Send any friend a . Good evening. 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. Or consider the story of the former CEO of Intel, Andrew Grove, class of 1960. Transcribe your audio files to find high-impact insights in minutes. (Laughter.) And thats completely understandable. In fact, I sometimes have that instinct myselfrun! If youre living in a constant state of fear, how much farther behind will you be after months in quarantine and without a job. So throughout this journey, I have learned to block everything out and focus on my truth. And of course, Barack has endured his fair share of insults and slights. Youve got it. Below, watch and read the 44th president's full inspiring message and speech closing out the "Graduate . (Applause.) 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. You give me chills. Thats the spirit weve got to summon to take on the challenges we face today. Read the full text of Michelle Obama's address to the class of 2020. Resources and Support for College Students, Resources and Support for Conservatory Students, Oberlin Marks 2020 Commencement Weekend with Virtual Celebrations, College Announces 2019 Commencement Speaker and Honorary Degree Recipients, Main Library Will Be Named for Activist, Alumna Mary Church Terrell. And think about President Roosevelts struggle to pass the New Deal a few decades later. More progress on LGBT rights than any time in our history. There will always be those who want to keep you silent. And as the years pass, youll feel the same freedom that Charles DeBow did when he was taking off in that airplane. Not an excuse. Its never come from folks who climb the ladder of success, or who happen to be born near the top and then pull that ladder up after themselves. These are uncomfortable questions, questions that have dogged this country for generations, but are now staring us in the face. (Applause.). "Leave behind all the old ways of thinking that divide us: sexism, racial prejudice, status, greed," Obama said . (Applause. If my generation did trust me, wed have fixed the whole of this long time ago, but that doesnt mean we should feel hopeless. That leads me to my second lesson, in an uncertain world time tested values like honesty and integrity, empathy and compassion. (Applause.). Thank you so much. Heres the last part. (Applause.) Youve got the knowledge and the skills honed here on this hallowed campus. Sixteen million people who finally have health insurance. Youll experience illnesses and losses, crises and setbacks that will come out of nowhere and knock you off your feet. It can make you feel like your life somehow doesnt matter -- that youre like the invisible man that Tuskegee grad Ralph Ellison wrote about all those years ago. 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. During training, they were often assigned to menial tasks like housekeeping or landscaping. Well done. Thank you. And most importantly, it couldnt hold me back. (Applause.). I love you all. Are you sure? (Applause.). And Eric was taken from us far too soon. ), And, graduates, I think we should give another shout-out to your families, of course, all the families. (Applause.). Patrick meehan would sign of michelle obama signed. But, graduates, let me tell you, you should never, ever be embarrassed by those struggles. Michelle Obama: (11:00) Ask yourself, do you know where your polling place is? It made me wonder, just how are people seeing me. It did not define me. Pursue your own version of happiness. Calculate how much it costs to transcribe, caption, or subtitle your content. 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 .". 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. So please enjoy this moment. Spencer Platt / Getty Images. I really dont want to follow those two. MRS. OBAMA: Well, goodness. Let me tell you it is a pleasure and an honor -- yes, Chicago -- (laughter and applause) -- to be with all of you today. And as weve seen over the past few years, those feelings are real. 10 Nobel Prize winners, at least 11 Oscar recipients, and secures nearly $60 million per year in research awards that address pressing needs and lead to improvements in people's lives and communities around the world. He kept lifting other folks up through education. And most of all, youve got yourselves -- and all of the heart, and grit, and smarts that got you to this day. Meet the change Inside Takes on the Latest Stories . They were joining the Equal Suffrage League and speaking out for womens right to vote. The student-led initiative to have her speak included a YouTube video, Facebook campaign and more than 900 Valentine's Day cards. Treating people right will never ever fail you. But that is a heavy way to live. Just think about what that must have been like for those young men. (Applause. 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. 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! (Applause.). She spoke about starting her own business as a Black woman, and paid tribute to the Black Lives . 1. Or was I too soft, too much of a mom, not enough of a career woman? They wont know how hard you worked and how much you sacrificed to make it to this day -- the countless hours you spent studying to get this diploma, the multiple jobs you worked to pay for school, the times you had to drive home and take care of your grandma, the evenings you gave up to volunteer at a food bank or organize a campus fundraiser. His commencement speech during the Graduation 2020 event was a call to action. The two-hour event, "Show Me Your. A lot of us are reckoning with the most basic essence of who we are. (Laughter and applause.) Michelle Obama: The story of our families. (Applause.) Its the story of the son of immigrant -- Jamaican immigrants named Colin Powell who became a four star general, Secretary of State, and a role model for young people across the country. I am just overwhelmed. (Applause. You got to be at the table. Dont deprive yourselves of all that. And sometimes its almost impossible to move upward at all, because if youre required to work during a pandemic, but dont have enough protective equipment or health insurance from your employer or paid sick leave, what is more essential, your work or your life. (Applause.). The extraordinary challenges of COVID-19 called for creative planning to send off graduates in a meaningful way. 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