Obama’s soul stirring farewell speech leaves Americans misty-eyed
CHICAGO: “Yes, we did. Yes, we can,” was how President Barack Obama on Wednesday bade goodbye to Americans in an emotional speech, warning them of the threats to democracy from growing racism, inequality and discrimination, in an oblique reference to Donald Trump's rise to power.
Refashioning his winning 2008 campaign mantra for 2017, Obama while addressing nearly 20,000 supporters in his hometown here asked them to hold fast to their optimism and to look within for leadership.
“I am asking you to believe not in my ability to bring about change, but in yours,” 55-yearold Obama said.
“I am asking you to hold fast to that faith written into our founding documents: ...Yes, we can,” he said in the prime time address that lasted 55 minutes. “Yes, we did. Yes, we can”. He cautioned Americans about threats to democracy, saying “Democracy can buckle when we give in to fear. So just as we, as citizens, must remain vigilant against external aggression, we must guard against a weakening of the values that make us who we are.”
The outgoing President lamented that despite his historic election as the nation's first black president in 2008, “race remains a potent and often divisive force in our society.”
“After my election, there was a talk of a post-racial America. Such a vision, however well-intended, was never realistic,” he acknowledged.
Obama's presidency will come to an end on January 20 when Republican Trump would be sworn in as US' 45th President. He promised a peaceful transfer of power to Trump.
Without mentioning Trump, he used his speech to offer an implicit rebuttal to many of the contentious themes like the temporary ban on Muslim immigration that characterised the 2016 presidential campaign.
Obama said he rejects discrimination against Muslim Americans, and drew cheers for saying they are “just as patriotic as we are”.
“... I've worked to put the fight against terrorism on a firm legal footing. That's why we've ended torture, worked to close Gitmo and reform our laws governing surveillance to protect privacy and civil liberties. That's why I reject discrimination against Muslim-americans,” Obama said.
“That's why we cannot withdraw from global fights – to expand democracy and human rights, women's rights, and LGBT rights – no matter how imperfect our efforts, no matter how expedient ignoring such values may seem,” he said.
Obama warned his countrymen that American democracy is threatened whenever they take it for granted.
“All of us, regardless of party, should throw ourselves into the task of rebuilding our democratic institutions. When voting rates are some of the lowest among advanced democracies, we should make it easier, not harder, to vote,” he said.
CHICAGO: An emotional President Barack Obama used his farewell speech to the nation to thank his wife Michelle for sacrificing her personal life for his political dreams, calling her his “best friend” and a “role model” for the new generation.
“Michelle for the past twenty-five years, you’ve been not only my wife and mother of my children, but my best friend,” Obama said in front of thousands of his supporters with the First Lady sitting in the front row along with her youngest daughter Malia and her mother in their hometown.
The 52-year-old First Lady received standing ovation as Obama thanked her. “You took on a role you didn’t ask for and made it your own with grace and grit and style and good humour. You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody,” Obama said while pausing to wipe his eyes with a tissue and regain composure.
“And a new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model. You ve made me proud. You’ve made the country proud,” said the 55-year-old outgoing US President about his life partner for 25 years. He also thanked his daughters Sasha and Malia.
“Malia and Sasha, under the strangest of circumstances, you have become two amazing young women, smart and beautiful, but more importantly, kind and thoughtful and full of passion,” he said.
“You wore the burden of years in the spotlight so easily. Of all that I’ve done in my life, I’m most proud to be your dad,” Obama said. Malia was seen frequently trying to stop tears flowing down her cheeks.
Interestingly, while Michelle and her daughter Malia were there to hear Obama’s emotional farewell speech, his youngest daughter Sasha was not present as her school reportedly did not allow her to attend the event as she had an examination on the next day. Later, Michelle shared a touching family photo. In perhaps one of the earliest photographs of their family during Obama’s first presidential campaign, the black and white photograph features Malia and Sasha in white outfits while sitting on their parents’ laps.
“So proud of POTUS (President of the United States) and all that we’ve accomplished together,” Michelle wrote in the caption. “What an incredible journey filled with remarkable people. I love you Barack.” In his 55-minute farewell speech, Obama also thanked Vice President Joe Biden.
“To Joe Biden, the scrappy kid from Scranton who became Delaware s favourite son: you were the first choice I made as a nominee, and the best. Not just because you have been a great Vice President, but because in the bargain, I gained a brother,” Obama said.
Thanking his staff, Obama said for eight years he has drawn from their energy and tried to reflect back what they displayed every day: heart, and character and idealism.