Obama's Speech to the Students

          At Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia, President Obama addressed the students of our nation on Tuesday, September 8, 2009.  In a speech focused on education and the responsibilities of students, Obama called for students to recognize their opportunities and fulfill their responsibilities to both themselves and their nation.

These responsibilities, he believes, are what will determine the future of their individual lives and most importantly the future of our country.  President Obama discussed the duties of students to discover what they are good at and what they may have to offer the world.  Mentioning opportunities such as curing cancer and AIDS, inventing new life changing technology, and combatting problems environmentally, politically, and economically, Obama asked students to get the education that they need and deserve that will further benefit both these individuals and, of course, the nation as a whole.


In an attempt to relate to the students of kindergarten through 12th grade, he told stories of his own personal challenges and how he too disliked waking up early in the morning to attend school and receive extra lessons from his mother.  He also shared stories of everyday Americans who have had struggles in their early lives but have turned it all around and become very successful individuals.  “You make your own future,” said Obama,  stating that it is unacceptable to allow our personal setbacks to get in the way of our dreams.  Obama also stressed that we will need an education in order to reach these personal goals.

          Paired with stories of a few more well known people such as author JK Rowling and basketball star Michael Jordan, Obama conveyed that no matter these struggles that we may face in life, it is solely us that control our own destiny, and we have the opportunities to achieve whatever outcome we desire.
“Every single one of you has something your good at,” proclaimed Obama, giving students hope that they can find something they will excel at in one aspect or another.  Students may not know their potential until they are given the opportunity to find out what it is they can do.  Obama explained this idea by discussing how a student may not know they are an excellent writer until taking an english class, or that they may discover their desire to be an innovator or inventor of new technology by taking a science class.  The idea that we need education in order to realize our strengths and interests is one that Obama strongly supports.


Throughout his speech the President repeated that he wants students to truly commit and work hard through their education.  He stressed the idea that success does not come easy, and he mentioned various times his high expectations from students as of now.

While many students, teachers, parents, and others have seen this speech as being extremely positive and sending a good message, there has been much controversy over the issue.  The White House claims that the speech was simply meant to encourage students to work hard and stay in school, also mentioning that Obama’s speech is not the first of its kind.  Previous Presidents such as Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush have also implemented similar speeches.

         Many people however, feel that Obama is trying to push a socialist attitude onto their children, and they are very unhappy about it.  Whether or not the speech should be shown to students in schools across the nation has become a very heated issue.  Some opposers believe it should not be shown to students in schools, but rather it should be up to students and parents if they want to voluntarily show their kids the speech on their own terms.  They feel the speech is just a way for President Obama to push his political agenda to their impressionable young kids.


Regardless of its true intent, the speech has had a lot of impact across the country.  Not only have grade school students, parents and teachers had something to say about the speech, but college students have even had their share of ideas surrounding the issue.  University of Tampa junior Lauren Rossi, who caught parts of the speech while a roommate was watching it on TV, believes that the speech was intended for exactly what the white house claims it was.  “I thought the President’s speech had a positive message that all students should hear,” said Rossi.  She also found it appalling that people could be opposed to the message conveyed by the speech.  “I don’t think that speech was intended to send any message other than that kids should stay in school and do well,” she said.

          In the coming weeks and months, it is almost inevitable the issues of this speech will continue to circulate around the country, and we will be hearing much more surrounding it.  The backlash will certainly go on as it always does, and we may see changes in ways both positive and negative as a result.  For now, however, the President will go on doing his job as the leader of our country, and he will continue to support and advocate what he believes in.  There will always be supporters and opposers, but that diversity and freedom is simply the basis of America.