First Lady Michelle Obama Remarks at 2015 Oberlin College Commencement

[sheshe2]

And the truth is, graduates, after four years of thoughtful, respectful discussion and debate here at Oberlin -– those seminars where you explored new ideas together, those late-night conversations where you challenged each other and learned from each other — after all of that, you might find yourself a little dismayed by the clamor outside these walls — the name-calling, the negative ads, the folks yelling at each other on TV. After being surrounded by people who are so dedicated to serving others and making the world a better place, you might feel a little discouraged by the polarization and gridlock that too often characterize our politics and civic life.

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. You might be tempted to just recreate what you had here at Oberlin -– to find a community of like-minded folks and work with them on causes you care about, and just tune out all of the noise. And that’s completely understandable. In fact, I sometimes have that instinct myself — run! (Laughter.)

But today, graduates, I want to urge you to do just the opposite. Today, I want to suggest that if you truly wish to carry on the Oberlin legacy of service and social justice, then you need to run to, and not away from, the noise. (Applause.) Today, I want to urge you to actively seek out the most contentious, polarized, gridlocked places you can find. Because so often, throughout our history, those have been the places where progress really happens –- the places where minds are changed, lives transformed, where our great American story unfolds.

For example, think back to the struggle for women’s suffrage and the story of a leading suffragist and Oberlin alum named Lucy Stone. (Applause.) People screamed at her. They spat on her. They even threw prayer books at her as she tried to speak. Her opponents declared that letting women vote was “unnatural,” would lead to child neglect and all kinds of social ills. So I’d say that debate was pretty polarized, wouldn’t you?

Read More http://3chicspolitico.com/2015/05/25/first-lady-michelle-obama-delivers-2015-commencement-address-at-oberlin-college/

[yallerdawg]

1. If this thing works out for Hillary...

what will Michelle Obama be doing in about 8 years?

"And if you think today’s gridlock is bad, let me remind you that it was a good century between the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation and the passage of the civil rights legislation of the 1960s. And of all the women at the Seneca Falls women’s suffrage convention in 1848, just one lived to see women cast their votes. Just one.

But these folks didn’t let the ugliness and the obstacles deter them. They didn’t just give up and retreat to the comfortable company of like-minded folks, because they understood that this is how democracy operates. It is loud and messy, and it’s not particularly warm and fuzzy. And believe me, I know this from personal experience. (Laughter.) Over the years, I’ve occasionally run into the noise myself. But I’ve come to realize that most of that clamor is really coming from just a handful of very loud folks out on the fringes.

See, the truth is that the overwhelming majority of people in this country are open-minded and big-hearted. They are smart enough to see through that noise, and they are so hungry for voices that rise above it –- smart, compassionate, thoughtful voices like yours.

Now, the process of democracy might not always be as fast or as smooth as we’d like. But the fact is, it works. Generation after generation, this country has become more equal, more inclusive, more fair, more free. My life and so many of your lives are a testament of that truth. But that has only happened because folks like all of you left their comfort zones and made their voices heard."

[leftofcool]

2. She would certainly get my vote.

First Dude 1=Clinton First Dude 2=Obama I'm game!

[sheshe2]

3. I don't know, yallerdawg.

What I do know, it will be awesome.

Hmmmm~ Here is a thought, SCOTUS.

[yallerdawg]

5. That link has it all!

Thank you!

[leftofcool]

6. I was thinking that too.

When Hillary wins, I think RBG will resign and an appointment for Michelle as a Supreme would be fabulous!

[sufrommich]

4. That was really powerful. Thanks for posting this.

k&r.

[Cha]

7. "Get out and vote in every single election. Make sure the folks that represent you share your

values and aspirations." First Lady Michelle Obama at Oberlin College

FLOTUSnews ‎@FLOTUSnews
FLOTUS: Get out and vote in every single election. Make sure the folks that represent you share your values and aspirations
6:07 AM - 25 May 2015


FLOTUSnews ‎@FLOTUSnews

5/25 PHOTO: @FLOTUS is presented with honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from @OberlinCollege
6:12 AM - 25 May 2015

http://theobamadiary.com/2015/05/25/the-president-delivers-remarks-at-arlington-national-cemetery/#comments

Mahalo for your invaluable OP from 3chicspolitico, she!

[sheshe2]

8. The First Lady of The United States.

She is a treasure Cha.

Well deserved~

5/25 PHOTO: @FLOTUS is presented with honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from @OberlinCollege
6:12 AM - 25 May 2015

She serves as a roll model to us all.

[Cha]

9. Yes, she and the President as well..

[brer cat]

12. A treasure indeed.

I am constantly amazed at her grace and composure in the face of the hatred directed at her husband, herself and family. She is one strong, confident woman.

[sheshe2]

13. Grace under fire.

I have no clue how this family does it.

One strong family unit I guess. So much love and strength.

[cwydro]

10. k and r.

Obama has disappointed me. Terribly.

Michelle has not.

[sheshe2]

11. Michelle has a lot of class...

and has weathered a slew of racist hate from the right wing. Her girls are old enough to know what is going on. Imagine seeing your father vilified and disrespected by the RW on a daily basis. How they deal with it I will never know and it breaks my heart that they have to.

Sorry Obama has been such a disappointment to you. To me, no. He is not a perfect man, there are things I disagree with. I know people wanted things to happen faster, yet change takes time and can not be done in eight years especially when you have a majority in the house blocking his every move.

Thank you so much cwydro for the KNR~

[cwydro]

16. You're right about the girls.

They're certainly growing into beautiful, intelligent young women.

[ucrdem]

14. K'n'R

[lovemydog]

15. I love her message here.

Be the person who runs toward the fire and helps put it out.

Not the person who starts a fire and runs away from it.

(My own paraphrasing, lol. She says it much more eloquently.)

[napkinz]

17. K&R!