Chicago (Staff Report): Barack Obama gave his presidential farewell speech in Chicago, declaring that we did it and calling on citizens to become politically engaged and uphold the values the country, as his 8 years as president comes to an end.
The president urged citizens to maintain their faith in democracy by participating in it. He said, “Show up, dive in, stay at it. Sometimes you will win, sometimes you will lose.”
He warned American people about divisiveness between Americans of different backgrounds, including people of color, LGBTQ people, immigrants, Muslims and also white Americans who’ve struggled with economic changes. He also quoted Attitcus Finch from Harper Lee’s classic ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, who said “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.”
He also called the idea of a post-racial America, due to his election, “never realistic. Obama said, “For race remains a potent and often divisive force in our society.”
The country’s first black president spoke about the crucial issue of climate change. He also noted the achievements of his administration: no foreign terrorist attack on US soil, more Americans with health insurance, the legislation of same-sex marriage, the killing Osama bin Laden.
Obama only mentioned president-elect Trump by name once, when saying he would ensure a smooth transition of power.
The speech finished with a reference to Obama’s 2008 campaign slogan: “Yes we can. Yes we did. Yes we can.”
