President Obama’s Message for America’s Students from White House on Vimeo.
I simply don’t understand what all the fuss is about. I have listened to the speech President Obama delivered today to America’s youth. I have read the written words.
My reaction?
I thought it was great. I’m not sure I disagree with much of anything that the President had to say. His main themes: responsibility and hard work. What a strong and important message for students across the United States to hear. If you haven’t heard the speech, then I suggest you press play on the video above. If your children didn’t watch the speech at school today, then perhaps you should sit down with them and watch the speech together.
The following remarks struck me as highlights:
But at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, and the best schools in the world – and none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities. Unless you show up to those schools; pay attention to those teachers; listen to your parents, grandparents and other adults; and put in the hard work it takes to succeed.
You can’t drop out of school and just drop into a good job. You’ve got to work for it and train for it and learn for it.
What you’re learning in school today will determine whether we as a nation can meet our greatest challenges in the future.
But at the end of the day, the circumstances of your life – what you look like, where you come from, how much money you have, what you’ve got going on at home – that’s no excuse for neglecting your homework or having a bad attitude. That’s no excuse for talking back to your teacher, or cutting class, or dropping out of school. That’s no excuse for not trying.
Where you are right now doesn’t have to determine where you’ll end up. No one’s written your destiny for you. Here in America, you write your own destiny. You make your own future.
But the truth is, being successful is hard
If you get a bad grade, that doesn’t mean you’re stupid, it just means you need to spend more time studying.
No one’s born being good at things, you become good at things through hard work.
Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America.
Admittedly, much of the controversy surrounding the President’s speech concerned the proposed lesson plan that was to accompany it, instructing students to write letters outlining how they might help the President. Aside from the lesson plan, however, I see nothing wrong with the above speech.
Don’t take my word for it. John Piper and Albert Mohler also reacted to Obama’s speech:
- Albert Mohler – “The Obama School Speech Controversy — What to Think?”
- John Piper – “I’ve Read the President’s Speech: Amazing”
What did you think about President Obama’s speech? Did schools in your community allow or require students to watch the speech?
