Obama Speaks To America’s Youth Today

President and FLOTUS

by Lamar Tyler | on September 8th, 2009 | 9 comments

Barack Obama

Today marks the day that President Obama will give his highly publicized speech on education to America’s school children. Our school district will not be showing it due to “technical difficulties” (yeah right) and across the US some conservatives and some nut jobs are in an uproar because they believe Obama will be using his platform to indoctrinate America’s youth. He’ll be saying things like this:

But at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, and the best schools in the world – and none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities. Unless you show up to those schools; pay attention to those teachers; listen to your parents, grandparents and other adults; and put in the hard work it takes to succeed.

And that’s what I want to focus on today: the responsibility each of you has for your education. I want to start with the responsibility you have to yourself.

Every single one of you has something you’re good at. Every single one of you has something to offer. And you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is. That’s the opportunity an education can provide.

Wow, I see where the fear comes from, after hearing this speech it may even make your child want to do something crazy like…… homework! You can view the entire speech here. There is really no political rhetoric in the entire speech. No secret messages about health care and the public option. Actually, the speech given by Reagan in 88 during my school years was 100% more political than this back to school speech.

BMWK, are the people that oppose this really concerned about their children being turned into socialists or are they just against a black man talking to their kids? Now that the speech is public will the racists far right change up their stance or admit that they were wrong?

About the author

Lamar and Ronnie Tyler are the creators of the award-winning blog BlackandMarriedWithKids.com . They also are behind the Amazon.com bestselling DVDs Happily Ever After: A Positive Image of Black Marriage, You Saved Me and Men Ain’t Boys that explores manhood in the African American community. The Tylers are also the proud parents of four children.

MissJay

They won’t admit they were wrong. That would make too much sense lol.
http://harriet-canshesaythat.com Harriet

I don’t believe this about every conservative republican…I hold to a few conservative beliefs myself. But it’s pretty despicable that a few racists in high place would jump on this bandwagon of “indoctrination.” This is just the kind of “indoctrination” our children need (and adults, for that matter).

However for those who believe the vitriolic foolishness of these folks making the republican party look so bad, all I can say is that Van Jones was right (about the 1:00 mark):

Embedded video from CNN Video
http://harriet-canshesaythat.com Harriet

sorry…try this video:

http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.element/js/2.0/video/evp/module.js?loc=dom&vid=/video/politics/2009/09/04/snow.van.jones.controversy.cnn
http://www.wisdomswork.com DonielleMichele

Until President Obama’s skin color changes, there will ALWAYS be a “problem” with what he says, how he says it, what he does and how he does it!! PERIOD!!
Smooth

The other party just need to “get over it” and remember Rodney King’s words’ Can’t we just all get alone”….
http://www.mrkingjames.blogspot.com King James

Cute @ doing homework.

I’m cool with his speech. I still do feel that some folks wake up in the morning looking for a way to be offended.
http://www.urbanfrugalchic.com Khristal

I agree with DonielleMichele, there always has and always will be a problem, for as long as we are on this earth! Uggghhhhhhh! Sucks but its reality.
http://theyoungmommylife.com Tara

People need to respect President Obama. Period. He is PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA. Not BARACK OBAMA. Not OBAMA. He is the President of the United States and people need to act like they know!
Rob

The issue I think most people are having has absolutely NOTHING to do with “racism” nor anything of the sort. The concern people are having is that the viewing was made private and that parents of the children were not permitted to know what it was about. That is a breach of trust. We cannot trust ANYBODY who undermines parental authority, including the President. The government is “by the people and for the people”. The government has no right whatsoever to involve American children in something so exclusive and private that even their own parents are not allowed to be involved. This is why folks are making allusions to the Hitler Youth Brigades…..