every confidence they out of it you’re gonna succeed at some point but you’ll
gonna succeed at some point but you’ll
gonna succeed at some point but you’ll go through some failures there is no
go through some failures there is no
go through some failures there is no excuse for not trying worry less about
excuse for not trying worry less about
excuse for not trying worry less about what you want to be and worry more about
what you want to be and worry more about
what you want to be and worry more about what you want to do they chose to take
what you want to do they chose to take
what you want to do they chose to take responsibility for their lives for their
responsibility for their lives for their
responsibility for their lives for their education and set goals for themselves
education and set goals for themselves
education and set goals for themselves the idea that if you’re willing to work
the idea that if you’re willing to work
the idea that if you’re willing to work hard it doesn’t matter who you are or
hard it doesn’t matter who you are or
hard it doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from Michele LaVon
where you come from Michele LaVon
where you come from Michele LaVon Robinson girl of this all said what’s
Robinson girl of this all said what’s
Robinson girl of this all said what’s that believed nation it’s Evan my one
that believed nation it’s Evan my one
that believed nation it’s Evan my one word is believe and I believe that you
word is believe and I believe that you
word is believe and I believe that you have the ability to do something special
have the ability to do something special
have the ability to do something special that can change the planet so to help
that can change the planet so to help
that can change the planet so to help you on your journey today we’re going to
you on your journey today we’re going to
you on your journey today we’re going to learn from the 44th President of the
learn from the 44th President of the
learn from the 44th President of the United States Barack Obama and my take
United States Barack Obama and my take
United States Barack Obama and my take on his top ten rose to success vol 2
on his top ten rose to success vol 2
on his top ten rose to success vol 2 rule number 2 is my personal favorite
rule number 2 is my personal favorite
rule number 2 is my personal favorite and I’d love to know which one you guys
and I’d love to know which one you guys
and I’d love to know which one you guys like the best
like the best
like the best [Music]
with respect to failure it’s terrible
with respect to failure it’s terrible but but but necessary if you if you are
but but but necessary if you if you are
but but but necessary if you if you are going to try something hard if you’re
going to try something hard if you’re
going to try something hard if you’re putting yourself out there in some way
putting yourself out there in some way
putting yourself out there in some way there are going to be times where you
there are going to be times where you
there are going to be times where you screw up or you don’t succeed or there
screw up or you don’t succeed or there
screw up or you don’t succeed or there are times where you do everything right
are times where you do everything right
are times where you do everything right and you still don’t succeed but that’s
and you still don’t succeed but that’s
and you still don’t succeed but that’s not just true of politics or running a
not just true of politics or running a
not just true of politics or running a non-for-profit that’s true some of you
non-for-profit that’s true some of you
non-for-profit that’s true some of you talked about being entrepreneurial if
talked about being entrepreneurial if
talked about being entrepreneurial if you’re starting a clothing line that’s
you’re starting a clothing line that’s
you’re starting a clothing line that’s that’s a cutthroat business so yeah I’m
that’s a cutthroat business so yeah I’m
that’s a cutthroat business so yeah I’m sure you yeah I have every confidence a
sure you yeah I have every confidence a
sure you yeah I have every confidence a out of it you’re gonna succeed at some
out of it you’re gonna succeed at some
out of it you’re gonna succeed at some point but you’ll go through some
point but you’ll go through some
point but you’ll go through some failures you know and and I think that
failures you know and and I think that
failures you know and and I think that the most important thing and this is a
the most important thing and this is a
the most important thing and this is a little bit of a cliche but sometimes
little bit of a cliche but sometimes
little bit of a cliche but sometimes clichés are true is to learn from those
clichés are true is to learn from those
clichés are true is to learn from those failures and to have a sense of
failures and to have a sense of
failures and to have a sense of resilience and be able to examine what
resilience and be able to examine what
resilience and be able to examine what is it that I did not succeed at why
is it that I did not succeed at why
is it that I did not succeed at why didn’t I succeed and what do I need to
didn’t I succeed and what do I need to
didn’t I succeed and what do I need to do better if you’re focused on giving of
do better if you’re focused on giving of
do better if you’re focused on giving of yourself to accomplish something then
yourself to accomplish something then
yourself to accomplish something then even when you fail at a particular
even when you fail at a particular
even when you fail at a particular objective you’re still succeeding in
objective you’re still succeeding in
objective you’re still succeeding in learning about how you can accomplish
learning about how you can accomplish
learning about how you can accomplish those goals maybe someone in your family
those goals maybe someone in your family
those goals maybe someone in your family has lost their job and there’s not
has lost their job and there’s not
has lost their job and there’s not enough money to go around maybe you live
enough money to go around maybe you live
enough money to go around maybe you live in a neighborhood where you don’t feel
in a neighborhood where you don’t feel
in a neighborhood where you don’t feel safe or have friends were pressuring you
safe or have friends were pressuring you
safe or have friends were pressuring you to do things you know aren’t right there
to do things you know aren’t right there
to do things you know aren’t right there is no excuse for not trying where you
is no excuse for not trying where you
is no excuse for not trying where you are right now doesn’t have to determine
are right now doesn’t have to determine
are right now doesn’t have to determine where you’ll end up no one’s written
where you’ll end up no one’s written
where you’ll end up no one’s written your destiny for you because here in
your destiny for you because here in
your destiny for you because here in America you write your own destiny you
America you write your own destiny you
America you write your own destiny you make your own future dr. King once said
make your own future dr. King once said
make your own future dr. King once said before we reach the magenta
before we reach the magenta
before we reach the magenta pictures of the promised land there is a
pictures of the promised land there is a
pictures of the promised land there is a frustrating and bewildering at
frustrating and bewildering at
frustrating and bewildering at wilderness ahead we must still face
wilderness ahead we must still face
wilderness ahead we must still face prodigious hilltops of opposition and
prodigious hilltops of opposition and
prodigious hilltops of opposition and gigantic mountains of resistance but
gigantic mountains of resistance but
gigantic mountains of resistance but with patient and firm determination we
with patient and firm determination we
with patient and firm determination we will press on so I don’t know about you
will press on so I don’t know about you
will press on so I don’t know about you CBC but the future rewards those who
CBC but the future rewards those who
CBC but the future rewards those who press on with patient and firm
press on with patient and firm
press on with patient and firm determination I’m going to press on for
determination I’m going to press on for
determination I’m going to press on for jobs I’m going to press on for equality
jobs I’m going to press on for equality
jobs I’m going to press on for equality I’m going to press on for the sake of
I’m going to press on for the sake of
I’m going to press on for the sake of our children I’m going to press on for
our children I’m going to press on for
our children I’m going to press on for the sake of all those families who are
the sake of all those families who are
the sake of all those families who are struggling right now I don’t have time
struggling right now I don’t have time
struggling right now I don’t have time to feel sorry for myself I don’t have
to feel sorry for myself I don’t have
to feel sorry for myself I don’t have time to complain I’m gonna press on I
time to complain I’m gonna press on I
time to complain I’m gonna press on I expect all of you to March with me and
expect all of you to March with me and
expect all of you to March with me and press own take off your bedroom slippers
press own take off your bedroom slippers
press own take off your bedroom slippers put on your marching shoes shake it off
put on your marching shoes shake it off
put on your marching shoes shake it off stop complaining stop grumbling stop
stop complaining stop grumbling stop
stop complaining stop grumbling stop crying we are going to press on we’ve
crying we are going to press on we’ve
crying we are going to press on we’ve got work to do whether we have seen
got work to do whether we have seen
got work to do whether we have seen eye-to-eye
eye-to-eye
eye-to-eye or really agreed at all my conversations
or really agreed at all my conversations
or really agreed at all my conversations with you the American people in living
with you the American people in living
with you the American people in living rooms and in schools that farms on
rooms and in schools that farms on
rooms and in schools that farms on factory floors diners and on distant
factory floors diners and on distant
factory floors diners and on distant military outposts those conversations
military outposts those conversations
military outposts those conversations are what have kept me honest and kept me
are what have kept me honest and kept me
are what have kept me honest and kept me inspired and kept me going and every day
inspired and kept me going and every day
inspired and kept me going and every day I have learned from you you made me a
I have learned from you you made me a
I have learned from you you made me a better president and you made me a
better president and you made me a
better president and you made me a better man the sole time in my political
better man the sole time in my political
better man the sole time in my political career where I think I ran more just
career where I think I ran more just
career where I think I ran more just because it was the next thing rather
because it was the next thing rather
because it was the next thing rather than running because I had a good theory
than running because I had a good theory
than running because I had a good theory of what it is that I wanted to do and
of what it is that I wanted to do and
of what it is that I wanted to do and this is a mistake I think a lot of folks
this is a mistake I think a lot of folks
this is a mistake I think a lot of folks who get into politics make and so when I
who get into politics make and so when I
who get into politics make and so when I see white house aren’t interns or I talk
see white house aren’t interns or I talk
see white house aren’t interns or I talk to young people I always tell them
to young people I always tell them
to young people I always tell them worried less about what you want to be
worried less about what you want to be
worried less about what you want to be and worried more about what you want to
and worried more about what you want to
and worried more about what you want to do because when you
what when when you’re more concerned
what when when you’re more concerned with I want to be a congressman or I
with I want to be a congressman or I
with I want to be a congressman or I want to be a senator or I want to be
want to be a senator or I want to be
want to be a senator or I want to be rich then you know some people may
rich then you know some people may
rich then you know some people may succeed in chasing that that goal but
succeed in chasing that that goal but
succeed in chasing that that goal but when they get there they don’t know what
when they get there they don’t know what
when they get there they don’t know what to do with it and if they don’t get
to do with it and if they don’t get
to do with it and if they don’t get there they don’t have anything to show
there they don’t have anything to show
there they don’t have anything to show for it but if you’re worrying about I
for it but if you’re worrying about I
for it but if you’re worrying about I want to improve education in low-income
want to improve education in low-income
want to improve education in low-income neighborhoods or I want to deal with
neighborhoods or I want to deal with
neighborhoods or I want to deal with climate change and help save the planet
climate change and help save the planet
climate change and help save the planet all right then whatever you’re doing in
all right then whatever you’re doing in
all right then whatever you’re doing in pursuit of that goal
pursuit of that goal
pursuit of that goal in and of itself is going to be
in and of itself is going to be
in and of itself is going to be worthwhile and it’s going to teach you
worthwhile and it’s going to teach you
worthwhile and it’s going to teach you things and it’s going to put you in a
things and it’s going to put you in a
things and it’s going to put you in a position to have an impact and then if
position to have an impact and then if
position to have an impact and then if it turns out as a result that you also
it turns out as a result that you also
it turns out as a result that you also end up being successful in in in
end up being successful in in in
end up being successful in in in politics or whatever thing you’re
politics or whatever thing you’re
politics or whatever thing you’re pursuing then so much the better
pursuing then so much the better
pursuing then so much the better that the most successful business people
that the most successful business people
that the most successful business people that I know Bill Gates didn’t start off
that I know Bill Gates didn’t start off
that I know Bill Gates didn’t start off saying I want to be the richest man in
saying I want to be the richest man in
saying I want to be the richest man in the world
the world
the world he started off saying to himself I
he started off saying to himself I
he started off saying to himself I really think these computers are cool
really think these computers are cool
really think these computers are cool and I want to write cool software that’s
and I want to write cool software that’s
and I want to write cool software that’s what he wanted to do worked out well for
what he wanted to do worked out well for
what he wanted to do worked out well for young people like Jasmine Perez from
young people like Jasmine Perez from
young people like Jasmine Perez from Romo Texas jasmine didn’t speak English
Romo Texas jasmine didn’t speak English
Romo Texas jasmine didn’t speak English when she first started school neither of
when she first started school neither of
when she first started school neither of her parents had gone to college but she
her parents had gone to college but she
her parents had gone to college but she worked hard earned good grades and got a
worked hard earned good grades and got a
worked hard earned good grades and got a scholarship to Brown University as now
scholarship to Brown University as now
scholarship to Brown University as now in graduate school studying public
in graduate school studying public
in graduate school studying public health on her way to becoming doctor
health on her way to becoming doctor
health on her way to becoming doctor Jasmine Perez I’m thinking about and
Jasmine Perez I’m thinking about and
Jasmine Perez I’m thinking about and Donny Schultz from Los Altos California
Donny Schultz from Los Altos California
Donny Schultz from Los Altos California who’s fought brain cancer since he was
who’s fought brain cancer since he was
who’s fought brain cancer since he was three he’s had to endure all sorts of
three he’s had to endure all sorts of
three he’s had to endure all sorts of treatments and surgeries one of which
treatments and surgeries one of which
treatments and surgeries one of which affected his memory so it took him much
affected his memory so it took him much
affected his memory so it took him much longer one
longer one
longer one some extra hours to do his score but he
some extra hours to do his score but he
some extra hours to do his score but he never fell behind he’s headed to college
never fell behind he’s headed to college
never fell behind he’s headed to college this fall and then there’s Chantel Steve
this fall and then there’s Chantel Steve
this fall and then there’s Chantel Steve from my hometown of Chicago Illinois
from my hometown of Chicago Illinois
from my hometown of Chicago Illinois even when bouncing from foster home to
even when bouncing from foster home to
even when bouncing from foster home to foster home in the toughest
foster home in the toughest
foster home in the toughest neighborhoods in the city she managed to
neighborhoods in the city she managed to
neighborhoods in the city she managed to get a job at a local health care center
get a job at a local health care center
get a job at a local health care center start a program to keep young people out
start a program to keep young people out
start a program to keep young people out of gangs and she’s on track to graduate
of gangs and she’s on track to graduate
of gangs and she’s on track to graduate high school with honors and go on to
high school with honors and go on to
high school with honors and go on to college and Jasmine and Dhoni and
college and Jasmine and Dhoni and
college and Jasmine and Dhoni and Chantal aren’t any different from any of
Chantal aren’t any different from any of
Chantal aren’t any different from any of you they face challenges in their lives
you they face challenges in their lives
you they face challenges in their lives just like you do in some cases they’ve
just like you do in some cases they’ve
just like you do in some cases they’ve got it a lot worse off than many of you
got it a lot worse off than many of you
got it a lot worse off than many of you but they refuse to give up they chose to
but they refuse to give up they chose to
but they refuse to give up they chose to take responsibility for their lives for
take responsibility for their lives for
take responsibility for their lives for their education and set goals for
their education and set goals for
their education and set goals for themselves and even when you’re
themselves and even when you’re
themselves and even when you’re struggling even when you’re discouraged
struggling even when you’re discouraged
struggling even when you’re discouraged and you feel like other people have
and you feel like other people have
and you feel like other people have given up on you don’t ever give up on
given up on you don’t ever give up on
given up on you don’t ever give up on yourself and I remember in 1979 arriving
yourself and I remember in 1979 arriving
yourself and I remember in 1979 arriving as a freshman and doing what freshmen do
as a freshman and doing what freshmen do
as a freshman and doing what freshmen do you know trying to figure out what
you know trying to figure out what
you know trying to figure out what courses are and trying to change your
courses are and trying to change your
courses are and trying to change your study habits and trying to identify that
study habits and trying to identify that
study habits and trying to identify that food in the cafeteria what it is and we
food in the cafeteria what it is and we
food in the cafeteria what it is and we were visited on campus by a couple of
were visited on campus by a couple of
were visited on campus by a couple of gentlemen from South Africa who were
gentlemen from South Africa who were
gentlemen from South Africa who were representatives the ANC in 1979-1980 and
representatives the ANC in 1979-1980 and
representatives the ANC in 1979-1980 and they spoke about their efforts to
they spoke about their efforts to
they spoke about their efforts to overcome apartheid and for about an hour
overcome apartheid and for about an hour
overcome apartheid and for about an hour myself and a group of students listened
myself and a group of students listened
myself and a group of students listened to these young men who were not much
to these young men who were not much
to these young men who were not much older than we were describe the
older than we were describe the
older than we were describe the extraordinary struggles they were going
extraordinary struggles they were going
extraordinary struggles they were going through the sacrifices that were being
through the sacrifices that were being
through the sacrifices that were being made people who were enduring jail and
made people who were enduring jail and
made people who were enduring jail and torture and beatings because they had a
torture and beatings because they had a
torture and beatings because they had a sense that somehow someway a justice
sense that somehow someway a justice
sense that somehow someway a justice would prevail and
would prevail and
would prevail and that that brief meeting I think in some
that that brief meeting I think in some
that that brief meeting I think in some ways changed my life because what it
ways changed my life because what it
ways changed my life because what it told me first of all was that ordinary
told me first of all was that ordinary
told me first of all was that ordinary people can do extraordinary things when
people can do extraordinary things when
people can do extraordinary things when they’re given an opportunity we
they’re given an opportunity we
they’re given an opportunity we sometimes think that our leaders have to
sometimes think that our leaders have to
sometimes think that our leaders have to be have fancy degrees or well educated
be have fancy degrees or well educated
be have fancy degrees or well educated or some public office somewhere these
or some public office somewhere these
or some public office somewhere these young men had not none of those things
young men had not none of those things
young men had not none of those things but what they possessed was a anger over
but what they possessed was a anger over
but what they possessed was a anger over injustice that they were able to channel
injustice that they were able to channel
injustice that they were able to channel in a constructive positive way and I
in a constructive positive way and I
in a constructive positive way and I thought to myself that they gave me some
thought to myself that they gave me some
thought to myself that they gave me some sense of the direction that my life
sense of the direction that my life
sense of the direction that my life might go and so I became active in the
might go and so I became active in the
might go and so I became active in the anti-apartheid movement on campuses and
anti-apartheid movement on campuses and
anti-apartheid movement on campuses and I’m not sure we were particularly
I’m not sure we were particularly
I’m not sure we were particularly effective as I recall Occidental College
effective as I recall Occidental College
effective as I recall Occidental College continued to refuse to divest despite
continued to refuse to divest despite
continued to refuse to divest despite the various protests that we organized
the various protests that we organized
the various protests that we organized the students I transferred to Columbia
the students I transferred to Columbia
the students I transferred to Columbia and there were similar resistance on
and there were similar resistance on
and there were similar resistance on Columbia’s campus but over time I like
Columbia’s campus but over time I like
Columbia’s campus but over time I like to think that I was part of that mosaic
to think that I was part of that mosaic
to think that I was part of that mosaic that applied pressure and ultimately
that applied pressure and ultimately
that applied pressure and ultimately helped those in South Africa achieve the
helped those in South Africa achieve the
helped those in South Africa achieve the extraordinary liberation that I would
extraordinary liberation that I would
extraordinary liberation that I would witness almost 10 years later at night
witness almost 10 years later at night
witness almost 10 years later at night as a as a law student and I remember the
as a as a law student and I remember the
as a as a law student and I remember the image of Nelson Mandela walking out of
image of Nelson Mandela walking out of
image of Nelson Mandela walking out of prison and understanding that a seminal
prison and understanding that a seminal
prison and understanding that a seminal moment in history had occurred and that
moment in history had occurred and that
moment in history had occurred and that Mandela’s long march towards freedom was
Mandela’s long march towards freedom was
Mandela’s long march towards freedom was not his alone but was part of thousands
not his alone but was part of thousands
not his alone but was part of thousands of footsteps of millions of footsteps of
of footsteps of millions of footsteps of
of footsteps of millions of footsteps of people all around the world and I traced
people all around the world and I traced
people all around the world and I traced back me getting involved in politics to
back me getting involved in politics to
back me getting involved in politics to that moment because I as a consequence
that moment because I as a consequence
that moment because I as a consequence of that organizing on a college campus I
of that organizing on a college campus I
of that organizing on a college campus I became a community organizer as a
became a community organizer as a
became a community organizer as a consequence of a community organizer I
consequence of a community organizer I
consequence of a community organizer I after going back to law school became a
after going back to law school became a
after going back to law school became a civil rights attorney as a consequence
civil rights attorney as a consequence
civil rights attorney as a consequence of being a civil rights attorney I
of being a civil rights attorney I
of being a civil rights attorney I entered the state legislature and I now
entered the state legislature and I now
entered the state legislature and I now stand before you as a United States
stand before you as a United States
stand before you as a United States Senator and as a candidate for president
Senator and as a candidate for president
Senator and as a candidate for president and so the primary message I guess I
and so the primary message I guess I
and so the primary message I guess I have
have
have in receiving this award is that all of
in receiving this award is that all of
in receiving this award is that all of you represent enormous potential and
you represent enormous potential and
you represent enormous potential and enormous possibility for change because
enormous possibility for change because
enormous possibility for change because we all know that injustice still exists
we all know that injustice still exists
we all know that injustice still exists it exists it exists here in the United
it exists it exists here in the United
it exists it exists here in the United States in every poor neighborhood and in
States in every poor neighborhood and in
States in every poor neighborhood and in every inner city and every rural
every inner city and every rural
every inner city and every rural community all across the country there
community all across the country there
community all across the country there is quiet desperation
is quiet desperation
is quiet desperation young people’s lives are filled with
young people’s lives are filled with
young people’s lives are filled with sadness and desperation and anarchy and
sadness and desperation and anarchy and
sadness and desperation and anarchy and chaos and obviously all around the world
chaos and obviously all around the world
chaos and obviously all around the world we see those same symptoms of
we see those same symptoms of
we see those same symptoms of hopelessness made manifest in places
hopelessness made manifest in places
hopelessness made manifest in places like Darfur places like the Middle East
like Darfur places like the Middle East
like Darfur places like the Middle East in places that too often are forgotten
in places that too often are forgotten
in places that too often are forgotten about and not written about until they
about and not written about until they
about and not written about until they flare up in tragedy so I hope that all
flare up in tragedy so I hope that all
flare up in tragedy so I hope that all of you who are on the brink of doing
of you who are on the brink of doing
of you who are on the brink of doing extraordinary things have decided to
extraordinary things have decided to
extraordinary things have decided to channel that talent and that energy and
channel that talent and that energy and
channel that talent and that energy and that imagination to figuring out how do
that imagination to figuring out how do
that imagination to figuring out how do you move the process along for a better
you move the process along for a better
you move the process along for a better history you know how do you put your
history you know how do you put your
history you know how do you put your shoulder against the wheel and move that
shoulder against the wheel and move that
shoulder against the wheel and move that boulder up the hill and I’m absolutely
boulder up the hill and I’m absolutely
boulder up the hill and I’m absolutely confident that if all of you take up
confident that if all of you take up
confident that if all of you take up that challenge the world is waiting for
that challenge the world is waiting for
that challenge the world is waiting for you ready to be changed because I think
you ready to be changed because I think
you ready to be changed because I think we live in this moment in history right
we live in this moment in history right
we live in this moment in history right now where the the hunger for change the
now where the the hunger for change the
now where the the hunger for change the hunger for something new the desire to
hunger for something new the desire to
hunger for something new the desire to break out of the ordinary
break out of the ordinary
break out of the ordinary the self-interested the petty the
the self-interested the petty the
the self-interested the petty the trivial is is everywhere I believe we
trivial is is everywhere I believe we
trivial is is everywhere I believe we can keep the promise of our founding the
can keep the promise of our founding the
can keep the promise of our founding the idea that if you’re willing to work hard
idea that if you’re willing to work hard
idea that if you’re willing to work hard it doesn’t matter who you are or where
it doesn’t matter who you are or where
it doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from or what you look like
you come from or what you look like
you come from or what you look like you love it doesn’t matter whether
you love it doesn’t matter whether
you love it doesn’t matter whether you’re black or white or Hispanic or
you’re black or white or Hispanic or
you’re black or white or Hispanic or Asian
Asian
Asian [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] a rich or poor able disabled gay or
a rich or poor able disabled gay or
a rich or poor able disabled gay or straight you can make it here
straight you can make it here
straight you can make it here [Applause]
don’t be afraid to ask questions don’t
don’t be afraid to ask questions don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need
be afraid to ask for help when you need
be afraid to ask for help when you need it I do that every day asking for help
it I do that every day asking for help
it I do that every day asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness it’s a sign of
isn’t a sign of weakness it’s a sign of
isn’t a sign of weakness it’s a sign of strength because it shows you have the
strength because it shows you have the
strength because it shows you have the courage to admit when you don’t know
courage to admit when you don’t know
courage to admit when you don’t know something and that then allows you to
something and that then allows you to
something and that then allows you to learn something new Michelle
learn something new Michelle
learn something new Michelle [Applause]
Michelle Mabon Robinson girl of this all
Michelle Mabon Robinson girl of this all said
for the Fed for the past 25 years you
for the Fed for the past 25 years you have not only been my wife and mother of
have not only been my wife and mother of
have not only been my wife and mother of my children you have been my best friend
my children you have been my best friend
my children you have been my best friend [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] you took on a role you didn’t ask for
you took on a role you didn’t ask for
you took on a role you didn’t ask for and you made it your own with grace and
and you made it your own with grace and
and you made it your own with grace and with grit on the style and humor
we made the White House a place that
we made the White House a place that belongs to everybody and a new
belongs to everybody and a new
belongs to everybody and a new generation sets its sights higher
generation sets its sights higher
generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model so
because it has you as a role model so
because it has you as a role model so you have made me proud and you have made
you have made me proud and you have made
you have made me proud and you have made the country proud
the country proud
the country proud [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] Malia and Sasha under the strangest of
Malia and Sasha under the strangest of
Malia and Sasha under the strangest of circumstances you had become two amazing
circumstances you had become two amazing
circumstances you had become two amazing young women you are smart and you are
young women you are smart and you are
young women you are smart and you are beautiful but more importantly you are
beautiful but more importantly you are
beautiful but more importantly you are kind and you are thoughtful and you are
kind and you are thoughtful and you are
kind and you are thoughtful and you are full of passion
[Applause]
[Applause] you’re the burden of years in the
you’re the burden of years in the
you’re the burden of years in the spotlight so easily of all that I have
spotlight so easily of all that I have
spotlight so easily of all that I have done in my life I am most proud to be
done in my life I am most proud to be
done in my life I am most proud to be your dad
your dad
your dad [Applause]
[Music]
[Music] to Joe Biden
to Joe Biden
to Joe Biden [Applause]
you were the first decision I made as a
you were the first decision I made as a nominee and it was the best
nominee and it was the best
nominee and it was the best [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] a great vice-president but because in
a great vice-president but because in
a great vice-president but because in the bargain I gained a brother and we
the bargain I gained a brother and we
the bargain I gained a brother and we love you and Jill like family and your
love you and Jill like family and your
love you and Jill like family and your friendship has been one of the great
friendship has been one of the great
friendship has been one of the great joys of our life
joys of our life
joys of our life [Applause]
thank you guys so much for watching I
thank you guys so much for watching I made this video because you’re ohm a
made this video because you’re ohm a
made this video because you’re ohm a asked me to if there’s someone you’d
asked me to if there’s someone you’d
asked me to if there’s someone you’d like to vote on for the next top 10
like to vote on for the next top 10
like to vote on for the next top 10 check out the link in the description
check out the link in the description
check out the link in the description and go and have your say finally I want
and go and have your say finally I want
and go and have your say finally I want to give a quick shoutout to John D
to give a quick shoutout to John D
to give a quick shoutout to John D Webster John thank you so much for
Webster John thank you so much for
Webster John thank you so much for picking up a cup of my book you’re one
picking up a cup of my book you’re one
picking up a cup of my book you’re one word taking that great picture outside
word taking that great picture outside
word taking that great picture outside the store doing the interview on your
the store doing the interview on your
the store doing the interview on your channel I really appreciate our support
channel I really appreciate our support
channel I really appreciate our support and I’m so glad that you enjoyed the
and I’m so glad that you enjoyed the
and I’m so glad that you enjoyed the book so thank you guys again for
book so thank you guys again for
book so thank you guys again for watching I believe in you I hope you
watching I believe in you I hope you
watching I believe in you I hope you continue to believe in yourself and
continue to believe in yourself and
continue to believe in yourself and whatever your one word is much love I’ll
whatever your one word is much love I’ll
whatever your one word is much love I’ll see you soon
I will tell you this everything else is
I will tell you this everything else is unfulfilled if we fail at family if we
unfulfilled if we fail at family if we
unfulfilled if we fail at family if we fail at that responsibility I know that
fail at that responsibility I know that
fail at that responsibility I know that when I am on my deathbed someday I will
when I am on my deathbed someday I will
when I am on my deathbed someday I will not be thinking about any particular
not be thinking about any particular
not be thinking about any particular legislation I pass I will not be
legislation I pass I will not be
legislation I pass I will not be thinking about a policy I promote it I
thinking about a policy I promote it I
thinking about a policy I promote it I will not be thinking about the speech I
will not be thinking about the speech I
will not be thinking about the speech I gave I will not be thinking about the
gave I will not be thinking about the
gave I will not be thinking about the Nobel Prize I received I will be
Nobel Prize I received I will be
Nobel Prize I received I will be thinking about that walk I took with my
thinking about that walk I took with my
thinking about that walk I took with my daughter’s I’ll be thinking about a lazy
daughter’s I’ll be thinking about a lazy
daughter’s I’ll be thinking about a lazy afternoon with my wife I’ll be thinking
afternoon with my wife I’ll be thinking
afternoon with my wife I’ll be thinking about sitting around the dinner table
about sitting around the dinner table
about sitting around the dinner table and seeing them happy and healthy and
and seeing them happy and healthy and
and seeing them happy and healthy and knowing that they were loved and I’ll be
knowing that they were loved and I’ll be
knowing that they were loved and I’ll be thinking about whether I did right by
thinking about whether I did right by
thinking about whether I did right by all of them so be a good role model set
all of them so be a good role model set
all of them so be a good role model set a good example for that young brother
a good example for that young brother
a good example for that young brother coming up if you know somebody who’s not
coming up if you know somebody who’s not
coming up if you know somebody who’s not on point go back and bring that
on point go back and bring that
on point go back and bring that brother-in-law those who have been left
brother-in-law those who have been left
brother-in-law those who have been left behind who haven’t had the same
behind who haven’t had the same
behind who haven’t had the same opportunities we have they need to hear
opportunities we have they need to hear
opportunities we have they need to hear from you you’ve got to be engaged on the
from you you’ve got to be engaged on the
from you you’ve got to be engaged on the barbershop on the basketball court at
barbershop on the basketball court at
barbershop on the basketball court at church spent time and energy and
church spent time and energy and
church spent time and energy and presence to to give people opportunities
presence to to give people opportunities
presence to to give people opportunities and a chance pull them up expose them
and a chance pull them up expose them
and a chance pull them up expose them support their dreams don’t put them down
support their dreams don’t put them down
support their dreams don’t put them down we’ve got to teach them just like what
we’ve got to teach them just like what
we’ve got to teach them just like what we have to learn what it means to be a
we have to learn what it means to be a
we have to learn what it means to be a man to serve your city like Maynard
man to serve your city like Maynard
man to serve your city like Maynard Jackson to shape the culture like Spike
Jackson to shape the culture like Spike
Jackson to shape the culture like Spike Lee to be like Chester Davenport one of
Lee to be like Chester Davenport one of
Lee to be like Chester Davenport one of the first people to integrate the
the first people to integrate the
the first people to integrate the University of Georgia law school what he
University of Georgia law school what he
University of Georgia law school what he got there nobody would sit next to him
got there nobody would sit next to him
got there nobody would sit next to him in class but Chester didn’t mind later
in class but Chester didn’t mind later
in class but Chester didn’t mind later on he said it was the right thing for me
on he said it was the right thing for me
on he said it was the right thing for me to do someone needed to be the first and
to do someone needed to be the first and
to do someone needed to be the first and today Chester is here celebrating his
today Chester is here celebrating his
today Chester is here celebrating his 50th reunion where’s Chester Davenport
he’s here
he’s here [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] so if you had role models fathers
so if you had role models fathers
so if you had role models fathers brothers like that thank them today and
brothers like that thank them today and
brothers like that thank them today and if you haven’t commit yourself to being
if you haven’t commit yourself to being
if you haven’t commit yourself to being that man for somebody else persevere
that man for somebody else persevere
that man for somebody else persevere nothing worthwhile is easy no one love
nothing worthwhile is easy no one love
nothing worthwhile is easy no one love achievement has avoided failure
achievement has avoided failure
achievement has avoided failure sometimes catastrophic failures but they
sometimes catastrophic failures but they
sometimes catastrophic failures but they keep at it they learn from mistakes they
keep at it they learn from mistakes they
keep at it they learn from mistakes they don’t quit you know when I first arrived
don’t quit you know when I first arrived
don’t quit you know when I first arrived on this campus it was we had little
on this campus it was we had little
on this campus it was we had little money fewer options but it was here that
money fewer options but it was here that
money fewer options but it was here that I tried to find my place in this world I
I tried to find my place in this world I
I tried to find my place in this world I knew I wanted to make a difference but
knew I wanted to make a difference but
knew I wanted to make a difference but it was big how in fact I’d go about it
I I but I wanted to do my part to shape
I I but I wanted to do my part to shape a better world so even as I worked after
a better world so even as I worked after
a better world so even as I worked after graduation a few unfulfilled jobs here
graduation a few unfulfilled jobs here
graduation a few unfulfilled jobs here in New York I will not list them all
in New York I will not list them all
in New York I will not list them all even as I went from motley apartment to
even as I went from motley apartment to
even as I went from motley apartment to motley apartment I reach that now I
motley apartment I reach that now I
motley apartment I reach that now I started to write letters to community
started to write letters to community
started to write letters to community organizations all across the country and
organizations all across the country and
organizations all across the country and one day a small group of churches on the
one day a small group of churches on the
one day a small group of churches on the south side of Chicago answered offering
south side of Chicago answered offering
south side of Chicago answered offering me work with people the neighborhood’s
me work with people the neighborhood’s
me work with people the neighborhood’s hit hard by steel mills that were
hit hard by steel mills that were
hit hard by steel mills that were shutting down and and communities where
shutting down and and communities where
shutting down and and communities where jobs were dying dying away the community
jobs were dying dying away the community
jobs were dying dying away the community had been plagued by gang violence so as
had been plagued by gang violence so as
had been plagued by gang violence so as once I arrived one of the first things
once I arrived one of the first things
once I arrived one of the first things we tried to do was to mobilize a meeting
we tried to do was to mobilize a meeting
we tried to do was to mobilize a meeting with community leaders to deal with
with community leaders to deal with
with community leaders to deal with gangs and then I’d worked for weeks on
gangs and then I’d worked for weeks on
gangs and then I’d worked for weeks on this project we invited the police we
this project we invited the police we
this project we invited the police we made phone calls we went to churches we
made phone calls we went to churches we
made phone calls we went to churches we passed out flyers the night of the
passed out flyers the night of the
passed out flyers the night of the meeting we arranged rows and rows of
meeting we arranged rows and rows of
meeting we arranged rows and rows of chairs and anticipation of this crowd
chairs and anticipation of this crowd
chairs and anticipation of this crowd and we waited and we waited and finally
and we waited and we waited and finally
and we waited and we waited and finally a group of older folks walked into the
a group of older folks walked into the
a group of older folks walked into the hall and they sat down and this little
hall and they sat down and this little
hall and they sat down and this little old lady raised her hand and asked is
old lady raised her hand and asked is
old lady raised her hand and asked is this where the bingo game is
it was a disaster nobody showed up my
it was a disaster nobody showed up my first big community meeting nobody
first big community meeting nobody
first big community meeting nobody showed up
and later the volunteers I worked with
and later the volunteers I worked with told me that’s it we’re quitting they’d
told me that’s it we’re quitting they’d
told me that’s it we’re quitting they’d been doing this for two years even
been doing this for two years even
been doing this for two years even before I had arrived they had nothing to
before I had arrived they had nothing to
before I had arrived they had nothing to show for it and I’ll be honest I felt
show for it and I’ll be honest I felt
show for it and I’ll be honest I felt pretty discouraged as well I didn’t know
pretty discouraged as well I didn’t know
pretty discouraged as well I didn’t know what I was doing I thought about
what I was doing I thought about
what I was doing I thought about quitting and as we were talking I looked
quitting and as we were talking I looked
quitting and as we were talking I looked outside and I saw some young boys
outside and I saw some young boys
outside and I saw some young boys playing in a vacant lot across the
playing in a vacant lot across the
playing in a vacant lot across the street and they were just throwing rocks
street and they were just throwing rocks
street and they were just throwing rocks up at a boarded building I had nothing
up at a boarded building I had nothing
up at a boarded building I had nothing better to do late at night just throwing
better to do late at night just throwing
better to do late at night just throwing rocks I said to the volunteers before
rocks I said to the volunteers before
rocks I said to the volunteers before you quit answer one question what will
you quit answer one question what will
you quit answer one question what will happen to those boys
happen to those boys
happen to those boys if you quit who will fight for them if
if you quit who will fight for them if
if you quit who will fight for them if we don’t who will give them a fair shot
we don’t who will give them a fair shot
we don’t who will give them a fair shot if we leave and one by one the
if we leave and one by one the
if we leave and one by one the volunteers decided not to quit we went
volunteers decided not to quit we went
volunteers decided not to quit we went back to those neighborhoods and we kept
back to those neighborhoods and we kept
back to those neighborhoods and we kept at it we registered new voters and we
at it we registered new voters and we
at it we registered new voters and we set up after-school programs and we
set up after-school programs and we
set up after-school programs and we fought for new jobs helped people live
fought for new jobs helped people live
fought for new jobs helped people live lives with some measure of dignity and
lives with some measure of dignity and
lives with some measure of dignity and we sustained ourselves with those small
we sustained ourselves with those small
we sustained ourselves with those small victories we didn’t set the world on
victories we didn’t set the world on
victories we didn’t set the world on fire some of those communities are still
fire some of those communities are still
fire some of those communities are still very poor there’s still a lot of gangs
very poor there’s still a lot of gangs
very poor there’s still a lot of gangs out there but I believe that it was
out there but I believe that it was
out there but I believe that it was those small victories that helped me win
those small victories that helped me win
those small victories that helped me win the bigger victories of my last three
the bigger victories of my last three
the bigger victories of my last three and a half years as president we should
and a half years as president we should
and a half years as president we should feel good about the progress we’ve made
feel good about the progress we’ve made
feel good about the progress we’ve made understanding that we’ve still got more
understanding that we’ve still got more
understanding that we’ve still got more work to do it’s it’s sort of like you
work to do it’s it’s sort of like you
work to do it’s it’s sort of like you know I’m 54 now so I got to work out
know I’m 54 now so I got to work out
know I’m 54 now so I got to work out harder to stay in shape and and you know
harder to stay in shape and and you know
harder to stay in shape and and you know if I’m feeling good in the gym I want to
if I’m feeling good in the gym I want to
if I’m feeling good in the gym I want to acknowledge that what I’m doing is
acknowledge that what I’m doing is
acknowledge that what I’m doing is working otherwise I’d just go off and
working otherwise I’d just go off and
working otherwise I’d just go off and have a big double bacon cheeseburger or
have a big double bacon cheeseburger or
have a big double bacon cheeseburger or something because I’ll think well this
something because I’ll think well this
something because I’ll think well this isn’t working no if it’s working then we
isn’t working no if it’s working then we
isn’t working no if it’s working then we should be staying on that same path that
should be staying on that same path that
should be staying on that same path that doesn’t mean that I’m where I
doesn’t mean that I’m where I
doesn’t mean that I’m where I necessarily want to be it doesn’t mean
necessarily want to be it doesn’t mean
necessarily want to be it doesn’t mean that I stopped
that I stopped
that I stopped you know doing some hard work to to get
you know doing some hard work to to get
you know doing some hard work to to get where we need to go
”
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