On Saturday May 1, 2010, President Barack Obama gave the Spring commencement address at the University of Michigan, speaking about the importance of maintaining a “basic level of civility in our public discourse,” and calling upon graduates to preserve democracy by being participatory citizens.
Despite the rainy weather, students, parents, and spectators began flocking to Michigan Stadium long before its start at 11 AM. After remarks from two graduating seniors, Provost Teresa Sullivan, U-M President Mary Sue Coleman, Governor Jennifer Granholm, and several other faculty, President Obama addressed the enthusiastic crowd, saying, “It is great to be here in the Big House, and may I say ‘Go Blue!’”
The President said that it was nice to get out of Washington for a little while, though he joked that, “it sure is nice living above the store; can’t beat the commute.”
After explaining that upon taking office, he decided that he would read ten letters each night, to remind himself of the reasons why he ran in the first place, he revealed that “Some call me an idiot, which is how you know I’m getting a good sample.“ Throughout his speech the President openly discussed the fact that there is a generous proportion of the population who does not like him or agree with him.
Though he continued to project his message of hope and change, he was not unrealistically optimistic. “When you leave here today, you will search for work in an economy that is still emerging from the worst crisis since the Great Depression,” he said. “You live in a century where the speed with which jobs and industries move across the globe is forcing America to compete like never before. You will raise your children at a time when threats like terrorism and climate change aren’t confined within the borders of any one country. And as our world grows smaller and more connected, you will live and work with more people who don’t look like you or think like you or come from where you do.”
He continued by underscoring the necessity of people listening to each other and preserving civility and respect, despite differences. He warned of the dangers of “throwing around phrases like ’socialist’ and ‘Soviet-style takeover;’ ‘fascist’ and ‘right-wing nut,’” terms that are detrimental to the perception of the country.
He went on to explain that that the current anger and frustrations with partisan politics are
nothing new to our country, explaining that the debate about the role and size of government has been a part of our history since its founding days, but saying that this doesn’t have to escalate to violence or hatred.
“You can disagree with a certain policy without demonizing the person who espouses it. You can question someone’s views and their judgment without questioning their motives or their patriotism,” asserted the President.
He suggested that graduates open their eyes to ideas other than their own. “If you’re someone who only reads the editorial page of The New York Times, try glancing at the page of The Wall Street Journal once in awhile,” suggested the president. “If you’re a fan of Glenn Beck or Rush Limbaugh, try reading a few columns on the Huffington Post website. It may make your blood boil; your mind may not often be changed. But the practice of listening to opposing views is essential for effective citizenship.”
He then discussed the importance of having a government that can “keep pace with the times,” defending the actions of his own administration.
“When the markets crashed during The Depression,…our government put in place a set of rules and safeguards to make sure that such a crisis never happened again…And because our markets and financial systems have evolved since then, we’re now putting in place new rules to safeguard and protect the American people,” said the president.
After receiving a long round of applause, he addressed the crowd with a professorial tone. “This notion, class, hasn’t always been partisan. It was the first Republican president, Abraham Lincoln, who said the role of government is to do for the people what they cannot do better for themselves.”
The president concluded by relaying another key ingredient to a functioning Democracy: participation, and clarified what this word means to him. “Participation in public life doesn’t mean that you all have to run for public office…But it does mean that you should pay attention and contribute in any way that you can. Stay informed. Write letters, or make phone calls on behalf of an issue you care about…[C]ontinue the tradition so many of you started here at Michigan and find a way to serve your community and your country.”
President Obama was the third sitting president to give a U-M commencement address. The much-anticipated event drew the president’s largest crowd since his inauguration, with a crowd of almost 90,000 people.
President Obama Urges Grads to Preserve Democracy
Published: Saturday, May 1, 2010
Updated: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 11:05
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