Earlier today [Friday, June 2], Michelle Obama gave her final commencement speech as First Lady at City College of New York, in New York City. She spoke in front of over 3,000 graduates at the ceremony.
Mrs. Obama praised the school’s diversity, and its students’ dedication to their education while also fulfilling other commitments. Mrs. Obama spoke about how America’s longstanding diversity has played a major factor in its development as a country, and how we cannot succumb to the divisive politics of Donald Trump.
"No matter where your journey started, you have all made it here today through…unyielding determination, sacrifice, and hard work" —FLOTUS
— The First Lady (@FLOTUS) June 3, 2016
"In America, we don't let our differences tear us apart. Because we know that our greatness comes when we appreciate each other's strengths"
— The First Lady (@FLOTUS) June 3, 2016
One of the most powerful parts of her speech came when she spoke about immigrants who have overcome so much adversity in their lives, and succeeded because of their hard work. She said:
“It’s the story that I witness every single day. When I wake up in a house that was built by slaves, and I watch my daughters, two Beautiful, black, young women, head off to school, waving good-bye to their father, the President of the United States. The son of a man from Kenya, who came here to America for the same reasons as many of you – to get an education…You are the living, breathing proof that the American dream endures in our time.”
Mrs. Obama also stressed the importance of accessible public education, and how it provides opportunities for Americans to improve their lives, and therefore the communities around them.
You can watch the full speech below.
