Barack Obama Inspirational Speech

Summary

The speaker expresses deep gratitude for receiving an award and reflects on the inspiration drawn from young people and their potential for change. They share a personal story from their college years in 1979, where a meeting with South African activists fighting apartheid transformed their outlook. This experience led the speaker to become involved in social justice, anti-apartheid movements, and eventually a career in politics. The message encourages the audience to channel their energy towards addressing injustice, both in the U.S. and globally, and to embrace their power to make a difference.

Takeaways

• 🙏 The speaker expresses deep gratitude for receiving the award and acknowledges those who made it possible.
• 🔥 The speaker is inspired by young people and their potential for making impactful changes in the world.
• 📖 He shares a personal story about his youth, when he wasn't very focused or serious about his studies and future.
• 🇿🇦 A pivotal moment in his life was meeting young South African activists from the ANC, which sparked his involvement in social justice.
• 💪 This experience taught him that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things when driven by a sense of justice.
• ✊ His involvement in the anti-apartheid movement in college helped shape his future as an advocate for social change.
• 🛤️ The speaker traces his political career back to his college activism, which eventually led to his roles as a community organizer, civil rights attorney, and U.S. Senator.
• 👣 He reflects on Nelson Mandela’s release from prison as a symbol of the many people who contributed to South Africa’s fight for freedom.
• 🌍 The speaker emphasizes that injustice persists globally, and urges young people to channel their talents and energy toward making positive change.
• 🚀 He believes that we are at a moment in history with a strong hunger for change, and encourages the next generation to step up and drive that change.

Q & A

What is the primary emotion expressed by the speaker in the introduction of the speech?

The speaker expresses gratitude for receiving the award and acknowledges the extraordinary company they are in.

Who does the speaker credit as a source of inspiration?

The speaker is inspired by young people who are representative of change, as well as Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who is mentioned as one of their heroes.

What is the personal story shared by the speaker from their youth?

The speaker shares a story about being a freshman at Occidental College in 1979 and attending a meeting with two young men from South Africa representing the ANC. This experience deeply impacted the speaker's sense of social justice and inspired them to become active in the anti-apartheid movement.

How did the speaker describe their teenage years?

The speaker describes their teenage years as somewhat rocky, mentioning that their father was not home, and they were growing up with their grandparents. They also admit to occasionally getting into trouble and not being serious about their studies, calling themselves a 'good time Charlie.'

What was the significance of the meeting with the young men from South Africa?

The meeting was significant because it showed the speaker that ordinary people can do extraordinary things when given the opportunity. It also sparked the speaker's interest in social justice and activism, eventually leading to their involvement in the anti-apartheid movement.

How did the speaker's activism evolve after this meeting?

The speaker became active in the anti-apartheid movement on campuses, first at Occidental College and then at Columbia University, despite resistance from the administration. This activism eventually led them into community organizing, civil rights work, and ultimately a political career.

What historical event does the speaker recall as a powerful moment of change?

The speaker recalls Nelson Mandela walking out of prison as a seminal moment in history, symbolizing the culmination of the long struggle for freedom in South Africa, which they had been a part of through activism.

How does the speaker connect their early activism to their current political career?

The speaker traces their political career back to their activism, explaining that their involvement in social justice movements as a student led to becoming a community organizer, civil rights attorney, and eventually a U.S. Senator and presidential candidate.

What message does the speaker want to convey to the audience, particularly young people?

The speaker wants to convey that young people have enormous potential and responsibility to create change. They encourage the audience to channel their energy and imagination into addressing social injustices and contributing to a better future.

What global issues does the speaker highlight as ongoing struggles for justice?

The speaker highlights ongoing struggles for justice in places like Darfur and the Middle East, as well as in underrepresented communities in the United States, where people face quiet desperation and hopelessness.

Outlines

00:00

🎉 Grateful for the Award and Inspired by Youth

In this opening, the speaker expresses deep gratitude for receiving an award and acknowledges the extraordinary individuals with whom they share this honor. They are particularly inspired by young people who represent hope and change. The speaker recalls their early years and experiences growing up, facing challenges such as an absent father and trouble during their teenage years. They describe how a chance encounter with South African activists in 1979, who spoke about the struggle against apartheid, had a profound impact on them. This moment opened the speaker’s eyes to the power of ordinary people to bring about extraordinary change. They reflect on their involvement in the anti-apartheid movement, despite initial resistance from institutions like Occidental College and Columbia University to divest from apartheid-era South Africa. The speaker also recounts the influence of global movements in shaping their own journey into activism and politics.

05:00

🚀 From Activism to U.S. Senator and Beyond

The speaker continues by tracing their political journey, starting from being a civil rights attorney, entering state politics, and ultimately standing as a U.S. Senator and candidate for president. They emphasize that the message behind receiving this award is about the potential that the audience—particularly young people—has for creating meaningful change. The speaker acknowledges that injustice still exists, both within the United States and globally, citing regions like Darfur and the Middle East. They express hope that the next generation will channel their energy, talent, and imagination into continuing the fight for justice. The speaker believes that the world is ready for change and is waiting for young leaders to rise to the challenge. They end by encouraging the audience to see the award not just as recognition, but as a spark to fuel their future endeavors.

Keywords

💡Inspiration

Inspiration refers to the process of being mentally stimulated to act or feel a certain way, particularly creatively or morally. In the speech, the speaker mentions being inspired by young people and the struggles of others fighting for justice, which ultimately shaped the direction of his own life. This word underscores the power of motivation in driving change and personal growth.

💡Apartheid

Apartheid was a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination in South Africa that lasted until the early 1990s. The speaker recalls being influenced by South African activists fighting against apartheid when they visited his college, which opened his eyes to global injustice. Apartheid represents a core example of injustice that the speaker and others sought to fight against.

💡Justice

Justice, in the context of this speech, refers to fairness and moral righteousness, particularly in social, political, and legal aspects. The speaker emphasizes the importance of fighting for justice, both in historical contexts like apartheid and in ongoing struggles worldwide. Justice is a central theme as the speaker highlights the role of ordinary people in working toward a just society.

💡Ordinary People

Ordinary people are those without special status, power, or public roles, yet they have the potential to create extraordinary change. The speaker reflects on how everyday individuals, like the South African activists he met, played significant roles in fighting for justice. The concept emphasizes that impactful change does not require high positions or formal leadership.

💡Change

Change refers to the process of making things different, particularly in societal or political structures. The speaker encourages young people to be agents of change, noting that they have the potential to push for progress in areas like justice and equality. This word captures the call to action present throughout the speech, urging people to move history in a positive direction.

💡Struggle

Struggle refers to the efforts and difficulties faced by individuals or groups fighting against oppressive systems or circumstances. In the speech, the speaker describes the sacrifices made by South African activists in their fight against apartheid. This highlights the ongoing efforts required to overcome significant challenges and bring about social and political reforms.

💡Community Organizer

A community organizer works to coordinate and mobilize groups of people to achieve common goals, often in the context of social justice and activism. The speaker himself became a community organizer as a result of his involvement in anti-apartheid efforts, marking a significant turning point in his life. This role is important in fostering collective action toward societal improvement.

💡Young People

Young people are highlighted in the speech as the future agents of change and leadership. The speaker stresses that youth have the energy, imagination, and potential to challenge injustice and drive societal progress. By sharing his personal story from his college years, he connects with the idea that young people are crucial to pushing forward transformative movements.

💡Sacrifice

Sacrifice refers to giving up something valuable, often for the sake of a greater cause. The speaker discusses the sacrifices made by South African activists who faced imprisonment, torture, and other hardships in their fight against apartheid. Sacrifice is a key element of activism and is portrayed as necessary in the pursuit of justice and change.

💡History

History in this context refers to the significant events and movements that shape the world over time, particularly struggles for justice and liberation. The speaker reflects on historical moments, such as Nelson Mandela's release from prison, as pivotal events influenced by collective actions. He encourages the audience to be mindful of how they can contribute to the ongoing progress of history.

Highlights

Expresses deep gratitude for receiving the award and acknowledges the extraordinary company of those involved.

Highlights the inspiration from young people who are making an impact and representing positive change.

Shares a personal story about his rocky youth and how his experiences shaped his character and outlook.

Recalls a pivotal moment in 1979 when he met representatives of the ANC from South Africa, sparking his interest in fighting injustice.

Emphasizes how ordinary people can do extraordinary things when given the opportunity to channel their energy toward justice.

Details his involvement in the anti-apartheid movement during his college years, though he acknowledges the resistance encountered on campuses.

Mentions the global impact of movements like anti-apartheid and how the efforts of many individuals contributed to Nelson Mandela's eventual release.

Explains how his activism in college led to his career as a community organizer, civil rights attorney, state legislator, and eventually U.S. Senator.

Encourages the audience to recognize their potential to drive change, both in the U.S. and globally.

Identifies ongoing injustices in the U.S. and around the world, mentioning places like Darfur and the Middle East where people face hopelessness.

Challenges young people to channel their talent, energy, and imagination into advancing history and moving society toward positive change.

Expresses confidence that the audience has the power to take up this challenge and transform the world.

Reflects on the current moment in history, where there is a hunger for change and a desire to break free from the ordinary and trivial.

Urges recipients of the award to use this recognition as motivation to continue making a difference in the world.

Closes with a message of hope, emphasizing that the world is ready for change and is waiting for the audience to lead it forward.

Transcripts

thank you very much thank you so much well

I am I'm so grateful a to be

a recipient this award to be keeping such extraordinary company

I first evolved wanna thank

olive you were involved in making this possible

but the main thing that I want to do here is to just say I'm inspired

by young people who are representative because I think that's the purpose

ultimately this foundation and I want to tell just a brief story because

archbishop 22 is here one of my heroes

and let you know where I was when I was about your age

I'm really dating myself now although I'm

also betting their expression because a

back in nineteen 79

I was a freshman in college

at Occidental College and California and

I had had a somewhat rocky youth and and

teenage years my father was not home I

was growing up partly with my grandparents in high school

I got in trouble occasionally was what my mother called a good time Charlie

a meaning I wasn't really serious in terms of my

studies in terms my work had some awareness of the world around me

had some sense of injustice in on fairness

but it wasn't finally home that was well developed

and I remember in 1979 arriving as a freshman and doing what

freshman do your trying to figure out what courses

are in tryna changes study habits and try and identify about food in the

cafeteria what it is

%uh and a

we were visited on campus by a couple love gentleman from South Africa who

were represented as the ANC

in 1979 1980 and

they spoke about their efforts to overcome apartheid

and for up

an hour myself in a group of students

listened to these young men who were not

much older than we were describe the

extraordinary struggles they were going through the sacrifices that were being

made

people who it were in during jail and torture and beatings

because they had a sense that somehow

some way a justice would prevail and

that brief meeting I think in some ways changed my life

because why did told me first of all was that ordinary people can do

extraordinary things when they're given an opportunity

we sometimes think that our leaders have to be

have fancy degrees are well educated or some public office somewhere

these young men had not none of those things

about what they possessed was a

anger over injustice that they were able to channel in a constructive positive

way

and I thought to myself that

Bay gave me some sense the direction that my life

might go and so I became active

in the anti-apartheid movement on campuses and I'm

not sure we were particularly effective as I recall Occidental College

continued to refuse to divest despite the various protests that we organize

the students I transferred to Columbia

there was similar resistance on Columbia's campus but over time I like

to think that

I was part love that mosaic bat

apply pressure and ultimately helped

those in South Africa achieve the extraordinary liberation

that I would witness almost ten years later

night as a as a loss to

and I remember the image Nelson Mandela walking out of prison and

understanding that a seminal moment in history had occurred

and that mandela's long march towards freedom

was not his alone but was part

love thousands the footsteps love millions of footsteps of people

around the world and i trace back

me getting involved in politics to that mall

because I as a consequence is that organizing on a college campus I became

a community organizer as a consequence welcome your organizer a

after going back to law school became a civil rights attorney

as consequence a being a civil rights attorney I

entered the state legislature and I now stand before you as a

United States Senator and as a candidate for president

and so the primary message I guess I am

in receiving this award is that

all love you represent

enormous potential enormous possibility for change

because we all know that injustice still exists just

exists here in the United States in every

for neighborhood and every inner city and every rural community

all across the country there is quiet desperation

young people's lives are filled with

sadness and desperation anarchy and chaos

and obviously all around the world we see

those same symptoms hopelessness

made manifest in places like Darfur

places like the Middle East

in places that too often forgotten about another written about until the flare-up

in

tragedy so I hope that all %uh view

who are on the brink of doing extraordinary things

decide the channel that talent in that energy

and that imagination to figuring out how do you

move the process along for better history

you know how do you put your shoulder against the wheelman move that boulder

up the hill

and I'm absolutely confident that if I love you take up the challenge

the world is waiting for you ready to be changed

because I think we live in this moment in history right now where

better the hunger for change the hunger for something new

the desire to break out above the

ordinary the self-interested the pedi the trivial

is is everywhere and

the waiting for you and so I hope for that as you see the recipients of this

award

you recognize that

it's actually more VA towards a

give you a little spark and drive you

im the wonderful directions that I hope your lights take

in the years to come so thank you very much