“We’ve shown the capacity to change,” President Barrack Obama said in his Farewell Address on January 10, 2017 in his hometown Chicago, Illinois.
The crowd cheered, gave a standing ovation and chanted, “One more year!”
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We are the change.
“Change only happens when ordinary people get involved and get engaged,” he said.
Although the work of democracy has been difficult, Obama highlighted many achievements during his eight years as president. The best part of his speech is that he did not say “I” while talking about these achievements. He used “we” and “you.”
“We did it, you did it.” As if we did all the work in making this country a better place than it was before.
“You were the change,” Obama said.
Obama covered everything from terrorism to poverty, income inequality, climate change, racism and more. He mentioned that if we do not create opportunities for all people, then division will sharpen. During his time as president, poverty has decreased. Although homelessness is still an issue in America, there are some changes.
“Hearts must change,” he said. However, it doesn’t just change overnight. It “takes generations to change.”
With that being said, it’s important to pay attention and listen to everything around us. It is a roles as American citizens.
The Constitution
The U.S. Constitution played a big role in his speech. He said our country cannot be defeated “unless we betray our Constitution and what we stand for.”
It is vital to accept our responsibility of citizenship, because the Constitution is merely a parchment with words. “It doesn’t have the power, (but) we the people should make it happen. We share the same proud title: citizens,” he said toward the end of his speech.
“It needs you. Not just during the election. Not just because of your own narrowed interest. We need you for a lifetime.” It's important to remember that our actions matter no matter what place and time. Help others, make a change and improve lives.
"Making life better."
When he spoke about his healthcare plans, Obama received a standing ovation.
Nevertheless, in this attempt of making lives better for the future, millions of Americans were immediately stripped away of healthcare benefits a few days later on January 12, 2017. Not only did the Republican Party take away their health care, but also a part of their lives.
This is how rapid Republican leaders are working on making a “change” in the opposite direction before President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated. Although the Republican leaders along with Trump promise to offer a better healthcare plan, it is still ambiguous as to what they will do with this said development.
To the middle and higher income groups, the Affordable Care Act is unfavorable, but to many, it is a blessing of making lives better and easier. Making lives better was President Obama’s goal, so he provided people with affordable healthcare. He said in his speech that the real progress made is not enough to ensure the betterment of economy. Nevertheless, after making some lives better, it was not his plan to completely reverse the health care law. It still was one of the biggest changes he made during his presidency.
“Show up. Dive in. Stay at it.”
It’s only a matter of seeing and waiting for what is in store for our future with a new administration. No matter what happens, we need to stay optimistic, just how President Obama was when the audience booed at the mere mention of Trump’s presidency.
“Sometimes you’ll win. Sometimes you’ll lose. The process may disappoint you,” Obama said before ending his speech.
"Change is not something to fear, but something to face," he added on.
And his final order as the Commander-in-Chief is to believe. We must believe in change and in ourselves, as citizens of the United States of America.
