Barack Obama Encourages Howard U. Grads to Change America: Essay Sample

Introduction

President Barack Obama was addressing grandaunts at the Howard University the class of 2016. Howard University had a history of having the majority of the students being African Americans; he encouraged the grandaunts to change America through civic action and compromise (President Obama). President Obama began by highlighting the changes that have occurred over the years from the time he graduated from the university. He argued that America had transformed to become a better country than it was before where conflicts that existed back then between different races had died away. More African American students are graduating today; hence, they should use their privileges to transform society for better.

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His election was a reflection of the changes that had occurred in America, bearing in mind that he is African American a minority group in America. His election indicated the changes that had occurred over the years where people were comfortable living as one society regardless of their race or social class in the society (President Obama). President Obama encouraged the graduates that they too can become great people in the society, citing an example that the university produced the first black Supreme Court justice who won a Nobel peace prize. The Supreme Court justice had set a precedent that every dream can be achieved. However, the president acknowledged that there are still gaps that exist between different races in America, especially between whites and blacks. The gaps exist in employment, gender pay, and educational attainment.

President Obama told the grandaunts that they would experience challenges more than any other generation in trying to make changes that they want to see in society (President Obama). The challenges will require commitment and handwork to overcome. The graduates are more positioned to succeed because they are equipped with the skills that they need to make the necessary changes in society. The president argued that he was happy with the progress made in the society by leader and activists demanding for the society to be transformed for the better. The graduates should enter society with the motivation and desire to transform society from the inequality and racism that exist in society.

Obama told the graduates that America needs structural change and that they are the people to change society, the graduates are privileged to be among the educated people in the society(President Obama). There are still many people who do not have the opportunity to get a university education. The students should open their eyes and see the opportunities that exist in society. The world has changed in a manner that graduates face challenges in securing employment than it was after Obama graduates, employment competition has become global.

The graduates need to take note of the progress done over the years and learn from the mistakes done by the predecessors. They have overcome many challenges while changes society and making the changes that the people enjoy today (President Obama). The predecessors marched and toiled in suffering, including the parents that made it possible for the students to complete their studies. The graduates were also congratulated for the efforts they had made in ensuring that they passed their examinations to be able to graduate. Obama told the graduates that the journey of their career had just begun; therefore, they should be ready for the challenges that they are going to face including in securing job opportunities.

President Obama challenged the graduates to acknowledge the achievements made by people who wanted a better society where all people would have equal opportunities and be treated equally regardless of where they come from (President Obama). America can proceed greatly if all people live as one society and justice be given to all people. Obama told them that they should choose to bring change in areas that they will be working. If all the people play their roles, then the shorter time would be taken to make America for all the people. The challenges make people think different and make people recognize the importance of freedom, justice, and equality.

The factors that can help the graduates includes being confident of their heritage. They need to love their cultures and where they come from to be able to recognize the changes that they need to advocate for. The other factor is embracing their uniqueness, beauty, and valid version of their race. Their race should not determine how other people in society treat them. Injustice and unfairness should not be done to anyone because all people are equal. The other factor includes going through life with strategy and passion for changing. The strategy will give them options to use in hard and challenging situations. Voting is among the strategies that they can use to bring the changes that they want to see.

President Obama said that change requires wisdom to be achieved; people that want change must have righteous anger and organization to make the change lasting. The change also requires to be in law so that future generations can have a point of reference when someone wants to deny them their rights. The students were encouraged not to sit and see congress making laws that don't reflect the desires and wishes of the American people. The people represent them; hence they should make laws that bring positive change to the people. Democracy is one of the factors that has helped in transforming America by allowing people to make changes by electing leaders that they wish. The election of President Obama was an indication of the maturity of American politics.

Democracy allows people to settle their disputes by enabling the parties an opportunity to share ideas and agree on the way forward. Democracy helps in eliminating violence and simple majority rule, people have an opportunity to share their grievances, and their views get heard (President Obama). People can disagree peacefully, and their views get listened to. Obama encouraged the students to have confidence in activities that they engage in, including airing their views whenever they disagree with the opinions of other people. Obama also emphasized the importance of compromise and listening to people that one disagrees with. Compromise reduces the tension that might exist between two people with conflicting ideas.

Conclusion

In conclusion, President Obamas' speech at Howard University graduating class of 2016 that they are the people to bring change that America needs through action. History will judge them depending on the changes that they will bring to America. Obama argued that the graduates should embrace the positive change that America has experienced over the years by doing the right thing to play their role in making America great.

Works Cited

The Obama White House. President Obama Delivers The Commencement Address At Howard University. 2016. Web. 26 Sept. 2019.