Miami historian, Arva Parks claimed, “I wish President Obama would stop trying to convince those who will not be convinced and just get on with it.” Other Americans still feel the president needs to reel them in. President Obama’s speech on education certainly did test some parents limits. An elementary school in Greenlawn, New York called Thomas J. Lahey received numerous phone calls on the subject. Some parents did not want to expose their children to watching him lecture on the signifigance of education.
However, not all parents reacted in that manner. A more liberal, mother, Gabrielle Lyn D’Alemberte said, “I think it is very important for not only my child, but other children to understand how important education really is. My daughter always mocks me because I always repeat the words, grades, grades, grades, but it does not hurt her to hear from our president how far great grades can take you in this life.” Another parent, Katie Abascal has two children and was very moved by his speech. She even found the speech inspiring for her. The mother said, “My favorite part was him saying that your future is in your hands, no one elses. I think that applies to everyone, not just students.”
Obama started his speech out very humble and comforting. He tried to get on a more personal level with students by mentioning how they probably wish they were still in bed. He also understands students are still getting into the swing of things. He notes that every single person has a special talent and it is up them to figure out what it is. Not only is Obama trying to fix schools by getting better textbooks and computers but he pushes the fact that none of that will matter unless students take responsibility for him or her self. He says, ”...at the end the day we can have the ....most supportive parent... best schools in the world...none of it will make a difference unless all of you full fill your responsibilities...”
He strongly emphasizes that every job needs training and learning that results out of a good education. He admitted that being successful is hard and reminds students not many people are going to be a reality t.v. star or famous athlete. Obama’s tone changes a little more dramatically when he says that if students quit school, they are quitting on their country. He said, “America is depending on us.” The president really tried to lay it in students that they are the future and they will be making discoveries and challenging technology.
Obama tries to relate to students troubles when he talks about his lonely school days and Michelle’s family’s money problems. He really drills it into students that there is no excuse for not trying in school because everyone has problems and weaknesses. Obama also brings up the fact that it is ok and perfectly human for people to fail sometimes. He says, “You can’t let your failures define you,you have to let your failures teach you.” He wants students to keep trying as hard as they can and to never give up.
The president is also concerned with student’s health. Somewhere in the speech he tells students to wash their hands too and he does not want people going to school when they are sick. He closes his speech summarizing how America is counting on children to focus on their education. Obama wants students to have a healthy, happy school year. He wants future leaders, future inventors, future teachers to take advantage of education and not back down.
-Alex Guerra
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