In his farewell address, President Obama reflected on his term’s beginnings and ends and his accomplishments and shortcomings. More than anything, he urged citizens to work toward more solidarity in politics.
Obama spoke in Chicago on Tuesday night in the last speech of his eight-year presidency. President-elect Donald Trump will be inaugurated Jan. 20.
“Democracy does not require uniformity, but democracy does require a basic sense of solidarity,” Obama said. “The idea that for all our outward differences, we’re all in this together, that we rise and fall as one.”
Obama summarized what he said were his administration’s proudest accomplishments, including reversing the 2007 recession, shutting down Iran’s nuclear weapons program, passing his health care law and the legalization of same-sex marriage.
He also outlined what he said he considered some of the United States’ most pervasive threats, such as political cynicism, racial divisions and rapidly occurring climate change, to democracy.
“How we meet these challenges to our democracy will determine our ability to educate our kids, create good jobs and protect our homeland,” Obama said. “In other words, it will determine our future.”
The audience rose up with boos and chants of “Four more years” when Obama referred to Trump’s coming inauguration, but Obama quickly silenced the crowd. He said his administration would aid a smooth transition for Trump’s team and called the inauguration’s peaceful transfer of power a hallmark of democracy.
“For every two steps forward, it often feels we take one step back, but the long sweep of America has been defined by forward motion,” he said.
He spoke in honor of sacrifices of all kinds by United States troops, working families, immigrants, women and scientific pioneers by saying citizens of all kinds could fight against both external aggression and internal divisions.
He thanked his wife, Michelle, and children, Malia and Sasha, for their love, support and achievements in the years before and during his presidency. He thanked Vice President Joe Biden for his work and friendship.
Obama finished his address by expounding again on unity and citizen involvement.
“Our democracy is threatened whenever we take it for granted,” he said. “All of us, regardless of party, should be throwing ourselves into the task of rebuilding our democratic institutions.”
Sarah Gardner
