A Thank you to America’s Educators: What We Loved About Michelle Obama’s Farewell Speech
On January 6th, during a White House gathering to honor exemplary high school counselors nationwide, Michelle Obama gave her final speech as first lady. Her speech exemplified many of the values of Oakland Natives Give Back.
At ONGB, we think academic achievement is worthy of the same attention and rewards as other kinds of achievement.
We loved Obama’s discussion of the national “Reach Higher” initiative, which she started to shape young people’s notion of what it means to be a successful:
“If we’re always shining the spotlight on professional athletes or recording artists or Hollywood celebrities…why would we ever think kids would see college as a priority?”
One part of the initiative involved turning “College Signing Day” into a national event that would celebrate kids going to college for academic achievements to the same extent that football and basketball players are celebrated when choosing college and university teams.
We support diverse, inclusive public schools.
Obama also affirmed the value of diversity in America’s next generation:
“For all the young people… know that this country belongs to you — to all of you, from every background and walk of life…You see, our glorious diversity — our diversities of faiths and colors and creeds — that is not a threat to who we are, it makes us who we are. So the young people here and the young people out there: Do not ever let anyone make you feel like you don’t matter, or like you don’t have a place in our American story — because you do.”
We believe in the central role that education plays in civic engagement and democracy.
Obama described education as a prerequisite for empowered, engaged citizenship:
“Right now, you need to be preparing yourself to add your voice to our national conversation. You need to prepare yourself to be informed and engaged as a citizen, to serve and to lead, to stand up for our proud American values and to honor them in your daily lives. And that means getting the best education possible so you can think critically, so you can express yourself clearly.”
In this presidential inauguration week, we encourage all members of the Oakland, CA community to think about the value of public education and what our community can do to protect it.
For more information about Oakland Natives Give Back, please visit: www.oaklandnatives.org
