“With a lot of hard work and good education, anything is possible, even becoming President,” says Michelle.
She is the new face of hope and courage. She is the voice of aspiration. She is the latest manifestation of the American dream.
Breathing hope into youngsters with every word she spoke, Michelle Obama delivered her final speech as the First Lady yesterday at the White House.
Michelle was addressing young Americans on the occasion of the 2017 School Counsellor of the Year.
At a time when the entire world is being ripped apart by discrimination and bigotry, Michelle affirmed youngsters that part of the American tradition was to respect diversity. Be it people belonging to different races, creed or religion, be it an immigrant or a poverty-stricken individual, the country belonged to all of them. For ”glorious diversity is not a threat to who we are” but ”it makes us who we are”, she asserted. Therefore, acknowledging religio-cultural differences is not enough; one has to practise one’s values with pride.
“What drives one beyond the hurdles of life is the power of hope–hope that can combat every possible anxiety or fear. And so, Americans should be focused and hopeful,” said Michelle. Every young American should passionately pursue the American Dream. And what can better embody the ‘rags to riches’ theory than the Obamas themselves!
America is the melting pot of cultures and for Michelle, every citizen has the right to possess and celebrate their individuality. Freedom is essential but the strife towards it entails freedom of mind, which can only be achieved through education. Throughout her speech, she harped upon the importance of education as a means of critical thought and expression.
Michelle’s address indeed resonated as the voice of much-needed inspiration for a generation that is witnessing one of the darkest times in the history of civilisation.
“Being your First Lady has been the greatest honour of my life; I hope I’ve made you proud,” signed off the First Lady for the last time, visibly emotional, pledging to stand for the right cause all her life.
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