Message to the Future Generation

On September 8, President Obama made a National Address to students in Arlington, VA at Wakefield High School. The address is for students all over the world to make sure they know the importance of education.


In his speech, Obama stressed the importance of students’ responsibilities. In the past, Obama harangued the responsibilities of teachers, parents, and government officials. Obama explained, “I’ve talked about the teachers’ responsibility of aspiring students and teaching them to learn, of the parents’ responsibility of making sure you stay on track, get your homework done, and don’t spend all your time in front of the TV, and of the government’s responsibility of setting high standards, supporting faculty, and turning around schools that aren’t working. None of this will matter, unless the student fulfills their responsibility.”

President Obama’s speech was very inspiring because he brought children into a part of this country. All presidents in the past have made a national address, but it never intrigued students because it never applied to them. Now that something is finally about them, students are encouraged to make a difference.

However, some citizens began uproar about this speech. They feared Obama wanted to press a partisan political agenda into the ideas of young students. Some parents believe Obama was brainwashing the students and felt he was trying to mold impressionable minds to think like him. If this were the case, why is that a bad thing? Obama encourages students to do well in school and never give up on themselves. With these qualities, the future generation can turn this country around into a fair and save place.

Obama never pushes one certain idea throughout his speech. Instead, he inspires students to get involved and figure out who they are. Obama enlightens the future generation and says, “Everyone has something special about them, something to offer. Education provides the opportunity to figure out what that something special is.”

Not only are parents enraged, but also some faculty chose not to show his speech to their students. They believed it was too controversial and if the students really wanted to watch it, they could view it on their own time.

Professor Callahan at the University of Tampa thinks this is absurd. Callahan is in the Speech Department and discussed this issue with her class. Although she encouraged her students to put out their opinion, Callahan laughed, “It’s ridiculous that people thought he was trying to brainwash kids!”

A student at the University of Tampa, Emily Walsh, also agreed that it is unreasonable to think Obama’s speech is inappropriate. Walsh stated, “Everything Obama said is just common sense. He’s telling kids to do well in school, go to class...how is that brainwashing?”

Our future generation holds the country’s fate in their hands. It is important children are aware of this responsibility and Obama took action to make sure they understand. Obama relates to the children by admitting he was not a perfect student, but switched his attitude around to become who he is now.

Although this speech will continue to be a controversy, young individuals have to look at it in their own prospective. Parents and faculty members should not sway the opinions of chlidren. As Obama said to close his speech, “There is no excuse for not trying. You write your own destiny. Do your part too and don’t give up on yourself.” Nothing could be more inspiring.