The energy at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia was as high as the vaulted gymnasium ceiling when President Barack Obama entered the room just after noon on September 8—the first day of school. 

President Obama took to the podium as thunderous cheers erupted from the Wakefield students, all of them eager to hear his much anticipated speech on education.  “How’s everybody doing today?” Obama began congenially, showing his usual charisma when speaking before a crowd.

Controversy surrounds Obama's speech

President Obama’s address, which was televised in schools across the country, was laced with controversy in the days that preceded it.  Critics of the speech objected to Obama’s plan to speak directly to the students of America, worrying that the talk would contain political themes. The speech was released a day early to allow parents, teachers and administrators to evaluate whether it was appropriate to be shown during the school day.  Some schools decided not to show it during school in response to parents protesting the viewing.

The speech itself was anything but political, but rather a motivational talk from President Obama straight to the students of America.  After all the controversy and criticism of Obama’s address, the result was a well-crafted presentation with a valuable lesson:  that America’s youths need to put their best effort forward in academics in order to carry on the proud legacy of their country into the future.

President Obama established his purpose from the beginning of his talk, saying, “I’m here because I want to talk with you about your education, and what’s expected of all of you in this new school year.” 

He made it clear that the speech was about expectations, and he also imparted a critical message:  the future of the nation hinges on America’s youth, and it is crucial for them to reach their full potential by trying their hardest to succeed.

An important message for youth

This message is without doubt important.  With all of the distractions in young Americans’ lives, it is easy for them to lose sight of the fact that they are, indeed, the next generation of American thinkers, workers and leaders. 

“Students who sat where you sit 75 years ago…overcame a Depression and won a world war; who fought for civil rights and put a man on the moon,” Obama said, alluding to the fact that America’s pioneers, great minds who led the U.S. to become the prosperous nation it is, had to be educated just as this new generation does. 

These words were a reminder that this generation, just as all generations that have preceded it, has the capability to accomplish incredible things.  And it is a message that undoubtedly will inspire many students.

Who better to deliver such a message than President Barack Obama, a man who fought all kinds of adversity as a student?  A man who woke up at 4:30 in the morning while living in Indonesia to learn special lessons from his mother when she could not afford to send him to school with other American children.  A man who grew up without a father, whose single mother struggled to pay the bills.  A man who admits, “I wasn’t always as focused as I should have been…and my life could have easily taken a turn for the worse.”  The fact that he overcame all the hardships to attend Harvard Law and become President of the United States gives him credibility in delivering this particular message.

President Obama's personal story gives him credibility

After all the controversy and argument, it’s important for us not to lose sight of the facts.  President Obama’s speech appropriately steered clear of any political talk, instead imparting a critical message to students:  no matter what obstacles they face, they have a responsibility to try their best at school so that they, too, can accomplish great things in their adult lives. 

The message shows remarkable foresight from Obama, who has carefully taken time from attending to other pressing issues like health care reform and the war in Afghanistan to spend time with the future, America’s young people.  His own personal story, an inspiring tale of rising above adversity, gives him a credibility that makes him the right man to give such a message. 

Then the question is not whether the students who viewed the speech would be negatively affected.  It’s more a question of why such an important message was denied to some young Americans because of political conflict.  Maybe such partisan bickering can be solved by our generation.