Barack Obama's commencement speech to high school seniors

Brut America

"Doing what feels good, what's convenient, what's easy – that's how little kids think."   Barack Obama's commencement address to high school seniors included some digs at the Trump administration.

Transcript

00:00This pandemic has shaken up the status quo and laid bare a lot of our country's deep-seated problems.

00:07From massive economic inequality to ongoing racial disparities to a lack of basic health care for people who need it.

00:16It's woken a lot of young people up to the fact that the old ways of doing things just don't work.

00:23That it doesn't matter how much money you make if everyone around you is hungry and sick.

00:29And that our society and our democracy only work when we think not just about ourselves, but about each other.

00:39It's also pulled the curtain back on another hard truth.

00:44Something that we all have to eventually accept once our childhood comes to an end.

00:49You know all those adults that you used to think were in charge and knew what they were doing?

00:55Turns out they don't have all the answers.

00:58A lot of them aren't even asking the right questions.

01:02So if the world's going to get better, it's going to be up to you.

01:08That realization may be kind of intimidating, but I hope it's also inspiring.

01:14With all the challenges this country faces right now, nobody can tell you,

01:19no, you're too young to understand or this is how it's always been done.

01:24Because with so much uncertainty, with everything suddenly up for grabs,

01:29this is your generation's world to shape.

01:34Since I'm one of the old guys, I won't tell you what to do with this power that rests in your hands.

01:40But I'll leave you with three quick pieces of advice.

01:43First, don't be afraid.

01:46America's gone through tough times before.

01:48Slavery, Civil War, famine, disease, the Great Depression, and 9-11.

01:54And each time, we came out stronger.

01:58Usually because a new generation, young people like you,

02:02learned from past mistakes and figured out how to make things better.

02:07Second, do what you think is right.

02:10Doing what feels good, what's convenient, what's easy,

02:14that's how little kids think.

02:16Unfortunately, a lot of so-called grown-ups, including some with fancy titles and important jobs,

02:21still think that way, which is why things are so screwed up.

02:26I hope that instead, you decide to ground yourself in values that last.

02:31Like honesty, hard work, responsibility, fairness, generosity, respect for others.

02:39You won't get it right every time.

02:41You'll make mistakes, like we all do.

02:44But if you listen to the truth that's inside yourself,

02:47even when it's hard, even when it's inconvenient,

02:51people will notice.

02:53They'll gravitate towards you.

02:55And you'll be part of the solution, instead of part of the problem.

03:00And finally, build a community.

03:03No one does big things by themselves.

03:06Right now, when people are scared, it's easy to be cynical and say,

03:10let me just look out for myself or my family or people who look or think or pray like me.

03:18But if we're going to get through these difficult times,

03:21if we're going to create a world where everybody has opportunity to find a job and afford college,

03:27if we're going to save the environment and defeat future pandemics,

03:31then we're going to have to do it together.

03:35So be alive to one another's struggles.

03:38Stand up for one another's rights.

03:41Leave behind all the old ways of thinking that divide us.

03:45Sexism, racial prejudice, status, greed.

03:49And set the world on a different path.

03:52When you need help, Michelle and I have made it the mission of our foundation

03:56to give young people like you the skills and support to lead in your own communities

04:02and to connect you with other young leaders around the country and around the globe.

04:07But the truth is, you don't need us to tell you what to do.

04:12Because in so many ways, you've already started to lead.

04:17Congratulations, Class of 2020.

04:20Keep making us proud.

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