", While Barack Obama was running for reelection in 2012, wife Michelle was taking to the campaign trails right along with him, speaking in the way only she can. Michelle Obama DNC Speech 2012 Complete: 'How Hard You Work' More Important Than Income Michelle’s 2012 DNC speech positioned her as a First Lady on a mission. But enough of you know me by now. "I … This is who we still are: compassionate, resilient, decent people whose fortunes are bound up with one another. Maybe they were fed up. But let’s be clear: Going high does not mean putting on a smile and saying nice things when confronted by viciousness and cruelty. We degrade ourselves. Former first lady Michelle Obama made her first major campaign speech at the end of the first night of the virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention Monday.. He was a terrific vice president. In one of the states that determined the outcome, the winning margin averaged out to just two votes per precinct — two votes. So to honor the first lady and her family, I've pulled together this list of Mrs. Obama's finest speeches she's given during her time as first lady. Below is the text of former First Lady Michelle Obama’s speech, delivered Monday, on the first day of the 2020 Democratic National Convention: Good evening, everyone. You know how much I care about all of our children. Prepare to be inspired (and maybe grab a box of tissues): The passing of Maya Angelou was a heartache felt around the nation, as the famed poet and activist had brought to much hope to so many. We’ve got to request our mail-in ballots right now, tonight, and send them back immediately and follow-up to make sure they’re received. Now, I understand that my message won’t be heard by some people. They see an entitlement that says only certain people belong here, that greed is good, and winning is everything because as long as you come out on top, it doesn’t matter what happens to everyone else. They see people shouting in grocery stores, unwilling to wear a mask to keep us all safe. He cannot meet this moment. At the 2012 DNC, the first lady brought many to tears with tales of the couple's early life together, in a rusted-out car, and their short-lived date nights. Mrs. Obama spoke at the memorial, and though she was mourning, was still able to leave us all in awe with some sag advice. So what do we do now? And he’d be the first to tell you that. But there is no perfect candidate, no perfect president. Michelle Obama’s speech in full from the 2020 Democratic National Convention ‘When my husband left office with Joe Biden at his side, we had a … By Katie Reilly January 6, 2017 1:31 PM EST Michelle Obama gave her final remarks as First Lady on Friday, choking up as she urged young Americans to remain hopeful and engaged in … Good evening, everyone. He will make smart plans and manage a good team. Because right now, folks who know they cannot win fair and square at the ballot box are doing everything they can to stop us from voting. … Find all the books, read about the author, and more. As I’ve said before, being president doesn’t change who you are; it reveals who you are. And when he was vice president, he lost his beloved son. Because whenever we look to this White House for some leadership or consolation or any semblance of steadiness, what we get instead is chaos, division, and a total and utter lack of empathy. See search results for this author. Too many have lost their health care; too many are struggling to take care of basic necessities like food and rent; too many communities have been left in the lurch to grapple with whether and how to open our schools safely. Well, Michelle Obama was not one to let this slide, as she delivered a powerful speech criticizing Trump's language and treatment towards women. We live in a nation that is deeply divided, and I am a Black woman speaking at the Democratic Convention. Michelle Obama: Good evening, everyone. The ability to walk in someone else’s shoes; the recognition that someone else’s experience has value, too. This is not who we want to be. But I am here tonight because I love this country with all my heart, and it pains me to see so many people hurting. He wants all of our kids to be able to go to a movie or a math class without being afraid of getting shot. Grieving daughter blasts Trump's coronavirus response in DNC speech, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. If we have any hope of ending this chaos, we have got to vote for Joe Biden like our lives depend on it. AFP via Getty Images Michelle Obama’s speech on the opening night of the Democratic National Convention has been widely praised. And who we choose as our president in this election will determine whether or not we honor that struggle and chip away at that injustice and keep alive the very possibility of finishing that work. Most of us practice this without a second thought. Even in a room surrounded by privileged, well-educated, powerful women, Mrs. Obama never forgets those who have less or fewer opportunities than their peers. Full text: Michelle Obama's speech to Democratic convention 'I know that regardless of our race, age, religion or politics, when we close out the … And when the horrors of systemic racism shook our country and our consciences, millions of Americans of every age, every background rose up to march for each other, crying out for justice and progress. You know I hate politics. Look, we have already sacrificed so much this year. At her last commencement address as first lady, Mrs. Obama also took the opportunity to lay into Trump... just a little bit. ", In what is perhaps her most well-known speech to date, the first lady spoke urgently and passionately of her love of her daughters, the morals guiding her and President Obama through their time in D.C., and the kind of leader this country needs. ", We all painfully remember PussyGate. Whatever the reason, in the end, those choices sent someone to the Oval Office who lost the national popular vote by nearly 3,000,000 votes. And like so many of you, Barack and I have tried our best to instill in our girls a strong moral foundation to carry forward the values that our parents and grandparents poured into us. It’s … And let me once again tell you this: The job is hard. "All of us driven by a simple belief that the world as it is just won't do — that we have an obligation to fight for the world as it should be," Mrs. Obama said, during her address at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, prior to her husband's election to the White House. We reach out because, “There, but for the grace of God, go I.” It is not a hard concept to grasp. We have got to grab our comfortable shoes, put on our masks, pack a brown bag dinner and maybe breakfast too, because we’ve got to be willing to stand in line all night if we have to. "In America, we don't give in to our fears, we don't build up walls to keep people out because we know that our greatness has always depended on contributions from people who were born elsewhere. And he will govern as someone who’s lived a life that the rest of us can recognize. "We're in this together," she said, speaking of her Let Girls Learn project. I know Joe. They’re sending people out to intimidate voters, and they’re lying about the security of our ballots. And he listens. And that’s not just disappointing; it’s downright infuriating, because I know the goodness and the grace that is out there in households and neighborhoods all across this nation. There’s a lot of pain in it, too, a lot of struggle and injustice and work left to do. "You don't have to wait until you've mad it big time," she said to the students about reaching out to other young girls. Michelle Obama: Speeches on Life, Love, and American Values Paperback – February 5, 2012 by Michelle Obama (Author) › Visit Amazon's Michelle Obama Page. He wants all our kids to grow up with leaders who won’t just serve themselves and their wealthy peers but will provide a safety net for people facing hard times. Michelle Obama kicked off her “Dear Class of 2020” graduation speech with a list of uncomfortable questions and truths. Transcript: Michelle Obama's Convention Speech Transcript of first lady Michelle Obama's speech at the Democratic National Convention. "I can't stop thinking about this," she said, during a campaign trail speech in October last year. They see people calling the police on folks minding their own business just because of the color of their skin. And going high means unlocking the shackles of lies and mistrust with the only thing that can truly set us free: the cold hard truth. "Remember how it felt to be sitting in a classroom, knowing full well, we were smarter than the boys," she joked. Even when you’re anxious, you’re delivering those packages, stocking those shelves, and doing all that essential work so that all of us can keep moving forward. :Check your status or register online now, 'Enough is enough':Grieving daughter blasts Trump's coronavirus response in DNC speech. Words of wisdom from our flawless FLOTUS. And through you, I have seen this country’s promise. Michelle Obama delivered a scathing rebuke of Donald Trump and his presidency during her keynote address to close out the first night of the 2020 … Are you an author? And I know that regardless of our race, age, religion or politics, when we close out the noise and the fear and truly open our hearts, we know that what’s going on in this country is just not right. "All of you," she said to the young black women in the audience, "are the heirs of that blood, sweat, sacrifice and love. Michelle Obama has made her feminist beliefs known, in no uncertain terms. I am one of a handful of people living today who have seen firsthand the immense weight and awesome power of the presidency. They can summon our better angels or awaken our worst instincts. Former first lady Michelle Obama delivered the keynote speech for the first night of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, highlighting former Vice President Joe … But this is not the time to withhold our votes in protest or play games with candidates who have no chance of winning. By Proma Khosl a. And it is well past time for our leaders to once again reflect our truth. There’s a reason why … Of course, in light of the election, this speech becomes more tear-inducing than it originally was, but it is still a battle cry, a fight song, as Mrs. Obama utters her famous "when they go low, we go high! He has had more than enough time to prove that he can do the job, but he is clearly in over his head. Empathy: That’s something I’ve been thinking a lot about lately. We’ve got to vote early, in person if we can. Donald Trump is the wrong president for our country. Obama spoke of the inequality girls and women across the world face, and the importance of fighting back. "I know Joe. ", Again, while not all of the first lady's speeches are as loud and exciting as others, they are never any less important. Michelle Obama's DNC speech was recorded before Biden picked Harris as running mate, source says Ex-DNC interim chair Brazile: 'I am disappointed that … Graduates this is how you can finish the work that the generations before you have started, by staying open and hopeful, even in the tough times. From left: Former President Barack Obama giving a 2016 commencement speech at Howard University and former First Lady Michelle Obama delivering a 2010 commencement speech at … Maybe the barriers felt too steep. Joe Biden wants all of our kids, no matter what they look like, to be able to walk out the door without worrying about being harassed or arrested or killed. It means scraping and clawing our way to that mountain top. ", In the height of the presidential campaign this past election cycle, Mrs. Obama took some time out to give a commencement address at CCNY in June, and didn't fail to also deliver honesty, inspiration, and sass. He will tell the truth and trust science. And he’s got plans to make all of that happen. Believe me, I get that. Over the past four years, a lot of people have asked me, “When others are going so low, does going high still really work?” My answer: Going high is the only thing that works, because when we go low, when we use those same tactics of degrading and dehumanizing others, we just become part of the ugly noise that’s drowning out everything else. "We are each wonderfully made, intricately woven, and put on this earth for a purpose far greater than we could ever imagine," she said. And if we want a chance to pursue any of these goals, any of these most basic requirements for a functioning society, we have to vote for Joe Biden in numbers that cannot be ignored. "These girls are our girls. CNN fawned over Michelle Obama's Democratic National Convention speech while overlooking a misleading claim that even the Associated Press felt compelled to fact-check. They’re purging voter rolls. Michelle Obama has been showing girls and women everywhere that their goals are important, their dreams achievable, and their presence wanted, all while being smart, kind, determined, and basically just a badass herself at the same time. So, it is up to us to add our voices and our votes to the course of history, echoing heroes like John Lewis who said, “When you see something that is not right, you must say something. We were respected around the world, rallying our allies to confront climate change. There’s a lot of beauty in that story. Going high means taking the harder path. Having a powerful, strong, passionate female role model is something every little girl needs, and for the past eight years, girls around the world have been blessed with one of history's best female role models as she stood and fought proudly next to her husband while he led the free world. Our young people are desperately fighting to pursue their dreams. And his ability to learn and grow—we find in that the kind of humility and maturity that so many of us yearn for right now. What’s our strategy? These tactics are not new. The full transcript of Michelle Obama's powerful New Hampshire speech This article is more than 3 years old The first lady delivered an impassioned speech in … Internationally, we’ve turned our back, not just on agreements forged by my husband, but on alliances championed by presidents like Reagan and Eisenhower. Joe knows what it’s like to struggle, which is why he gives his personal phone number to kids overcoming a stutter of their own. It’s what we teach our children. Sadly, this is the America that is on display for the next generation. And our leaders had worked hand-in-hand with scientists to help prevent an Ebola outbreak from becoming a global pandemic. All rights reserved. And they see what happens when that lack of empathy is ginned up into outright disdain. He is a profoundly decent man, guided by faith. What will you make of that inheritance?". We degrade the very causes for which we fight. When my husband left office with Joe Biden at his side, we had a record-breaking stretch of job creation. Joe Biden wants all of our kids to go to a good school, see a doctor when they’re sick, live on a healthy planet. If we see someone suffering or struggling, we don’t stand in judgment. The first lady has also become well-known for her ardent speeches, many of which center on ideals and morals that mean the most to her, and picking ten of Michelle Obama's best speeches from over the years wasn't easy, to say the least. You must do something.” That is the truest form of empathy: not just feeling, but doing; not just for ourselves or our kids, but for everyone, for all our kids. And if we want to keep the possibility of progress alive in our time, if we want to be able to look our children in the eye after this election, we have got to reassert our place in American history. He is a profoundly decent man guided by faith. Donald Trump is the wrong president for … Going high means standing fierce against hatred while remembering that we are one nation under God, and if we want to survive, we’ve got to find a way to live together and work together across our differences. More than 150,000 people have died, and our economy is in shambles because of a virus that this president downplayed for too long. It was powerful in its simplicity and her words spoke for themselves: When She Made Everyone Cry At Maya Angelou's Memorial, When She Empowered Us All With Her International Women's Day Speech, Her Mic-Drop-Worthy 2016 Democratic National Convention Speech, Her Moving & Honest Speech At The 2012 DNC, When She Got Real On Hillary Clinton's Campaign Trail, Her Speech At Fortune's Most Powerful Women Summit, Mrs. Obama's Poignant Speech To Schoolgirls At Oxford, When She Got Honest About Confidence & Self-Respect, Her Powerful Commencement Address At The City College Of New York, Her Eloquent Address At The Young African Women Leaders Forum.