Barack Obama's Inspirational Speech with Subtitles || One of the best English speeches ever 2023

Summary

The speaker shares personal stories of overcoming challenges, emphasizing the importance of education for future success. They encourage students to set goals, persevere through failures, and contribute positively to society, highlighting that education is key to solving America's challenges and building a better future.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Family Background: The speaker lived in Indonesia for a few years and received extra lessons from their mother due to financial constraints.
• 👩‍👦 Single Parent Struggles: Raised by a single mother who worked hard to provide an American education and faced financial difficulties.
• 💪 Overcoming Adversity: Despite challenges, the speaker received second chances and pursued higher education, becoming successful.
• 👩‍🎓 Michelle Obama's Story: Similar background with hardworking parents who valued education, leading her to attend the best schools.
• 🎓 Importance of Education: Emphasizes the necessity of education for future success in any career path, such as doctors, teachers, and public servants.
• 🇺🇸 National Future: Education is crucial not only for individual success but also for the future of the country, addressing challenges like disease, energy, and poverty.
• 🧠 Developing Skills: Encourages students to develop their talents and skills in various subjects to solve complex problems and innovate.
• 🚫 No Excuses: Stresses that life circumstances should not be excuses for neglecting education, bad attitudes, or dropping out.
• 📚 Commitment: Urges students to set goals for their education, work hard, and commit to continuous improvement despite failures.
• 👥 Asking for Help: Highlights the importance of seeking help from trusted adults and never giving up on oneself, as persistence is key to success.

Q & A

Where did the speaker live during their childhood?

The speaker lived in Indonesia for a few years during their childhood.

Why couldn't the speaker attend the school where other American kids went?

The speaker's mother didn't have the money to send them to the school where other American kids went.

What did the speaker's mother do to ensure they received an American education?

The speaker's mother decided to teach them extra lessons herself, from Monday through Friday.

At what time of the day did the speaker's mother teach them?

The speaker's mother taught them at 4:30 in the morning.

What did the speaker's mother say when the speaker complained about the early morning lessons?

The speaker's mother would say, 'This is no picnic for me either, buster.'

What was the speaker's father's role in their life?

The speaker's father left the family when the speaker was two years old, and the speaker was raised by a single mom.

What challenges did the speaker face growing up?

The speaker faced challenges such as missing having a father, feeling lonely, not fitting in, and getting into more trouble than they should have.

How did the speaker's life change after getting a chance to go to college and law school?

The speaker was able to follow their dreams after getting a chance to go to college and law school.

What is the background of the speaker's wife, Michelle Obama?

Michelle Obama's parents did not go to college and they didn't have a lot of money, but they worked hard so she could go to the best schools in the country.

What is the main message the speaker wants to convey to the students?

The main message is that education is crucial for achieving one's dreams and contributing to the future of the country.

What does the speaker suggest students do to succeed in school and life?

The speaker suggests setting goals for education, working hard, not being afraid to ask for help, and not giving up on oneself or the country.

How does the speaker describe the importance of education in solving the country's problems?

The speaker emphasizes that education is essential for developing the knowledge, problem-solving skills, creativity, and critical thinking needed to address major challenges such as disease, poverty, environmental issues, and economic growth.

What advice does the speaker give about dealing with failures?

The speaker advises that failures should be seen as learning opportunities rather than defining moments, and that persistence and hard work are key to success.

What is the speaker's view on the role of teachers and other adults in students' lives?

The speaker believes that teachers and other trusted adults play a crucial role in helping students stay on track and achieve their educational goals.

Outlines

00:00

📚 The Importance of Education and Overcoming Challenges

The speaker reflects on their childhood in Indonesia and the sacrifices made by their single mother to ensure they received an American education. Despite financial struggles and the absence of a father, the speaker emphasizes the significance of education and the opportunities it provides. They also acknowledge the challenges faced by students, such as adjusting to school and dealing with personal issues, but stress that these should not be excuses for neglecting education. The speaker encourages students to recognize the potential they have to contribute to society and to take their education seriously as it is crucial for their future and the nation's.

05:01

🌟 Writing Your Own Destiny and Embracing Hard Work

This paragraph focuses on the idea that individuals can shape their own futures and are not bound by their current circumstances. The speaker calls on students to set educational goals and work diligently to achieve them, whether it's completing homework, participating in extracurricular activities, or standing up against bullying. The speaker dispels the myth that success comes easily and highlights the importance of perseverance and learning from failures. Examples of successful individuals who faced rejection and setbacks, such as JK Rowling and Michael Jordan, are used to illustrate the point. The speaker encourages students to seek help when needed and to commit to their goals, emphasizing that giving up on oneself equates to giving up on one's country.

10:03

🚀 Expectations and Encouragement for a Bright Future

In the final paragraph, the speaker expresses their commitment to improving educational resources and facilities, urging students to take their education seriously. The speaker sets high expectations for students, hoping they will put forth their best efforts and achieve great things. They remind students that their actions not only affect themselves but also their families, country, and future generations. The speaker concludes by imploring students to make everyone proud and to contribute positively to the nation's future, reflecting on the historical achievements of past students and inspiring the current generation to continue this legacy.

Keywords

💡Education

Education refers to the process of acquiring knowledge, skills, values, and habits that prepares individuals for future roles as members of society. In the video, the importance of education is emphasized as a foundation for personal and national success. The speaker mentions that education is crucial for meeting the future challenges of the country, such as curing diseases, developing new technologies, and fighting social issues.

💡Second Chances

Second Chances is a concept that highlights the opportunity to try again or to overcome past mistakes. The speaker reflects on his own life, mentioning that he was fortunate to receive second chances that allowed him to attend college and pursue his dreams. This concept is used to inspire viewers to understand that setbacks do not define them and they can still achieve success.

💡Struggle

Struggle in this context refers to the challenges and difficulties one faces in life, particularly in terms of financial hardship or personal adversity. The speaker talks about his mother's struggle to provide an American education and his own struggles growing up without a father. These struggles are used to illustrate the resilience and determination needed to overcome obstacles.

💡Responsibility

Responsibility is the state of being accountable for one's actions and decisions. The video emphasizes the responsibility students have towards their own education and future. The speaker encourages students to take their education seriously and not to use their circumstances as an excuse for not trying.

💡Opportunity

Opportunity refers to a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something. The speaker talks about the opportunities he had to go to college and law school, which were crucial for his success. The concept is used to inspire students to seize the opportunities available to them through education.

💡Failure

Failure is the lack of success in achieving a goal or purpose. The video discusses failure as a learning experience rather than a permanent state. Examples given include J.K. Rowling's rejections and Michael Jordan's losses, emphasizing that failure can lead to success through perseverance and learning.

💡Success

Success is the accomplishment of an aim or purpose. The speaker defines success as something that requires hard work and dedication, not something that comes easily or through luck. Success is portrayed as a result of overcoming failures and learning from them.

💡Destiny

Destiny is the events that will necessarily happen to someone in the future or the future itself as predetermined by fate. The video challenges the idea of a predetermined destiny, encouraging viewers to take control of their own futures through their actions and decisions.

💡Goals

Goals are the specific objectives that one aims to achieve. The speaker encourages students to set their own educational goals and work towards them. Examples of goals mentioned include doing all homework, paying attention in class, and getting involved in extracurricular activities.

💡Hard Work

Hard Work refers to the effort and dedication put into achieving a task or goal. The video emphasizes that hard work is essential for success, and it is through hard work that individuals can overcome challenges and achieve their goals. The speaker uses examples of successful people who have worked hard to achieve their success.

💡Community

Community refers to a group of people living in the same place or having particular characteristics in common. The speaker mentions getting involved in the community as a way to set and achieve goals, suggesting that community involvement can be a part of one's educational and personal development.

Highlights

The speaker's mother taught him extra lessons at 4:30 in the morning due to financial constraints.

The speaker acknowledges the challenges of being raised by a single mother and the absence of a father figure.

Despite personal struggles and second chances, the speaker emphasizes the importance of education in achieving dreams.

Michelle Obama's story is shared as an example of hard work and determination leading to success.

The potential for students to become great writers, innovators, or leaders is highlighted.

The necessity of education for various careers is underscored, including doctors, teachers, and police officers.

The speaker argues that education is crucial for meeting the nation's future challenges, such as curing diseases and developing new technologies.

Students are encouraged to develop their talents and skills to help solve the country's most difficult problems.

The speaker warns against using personal circumstances as an excuse for neglecting schoolwork or dropping out.

The importance of setting and meeting educational goals is emphasized, with examples of simple goals provided.

Involvement in extracurricular activities and community service is suggested as a way to contribute and develop character.

The speaker shares stories of successful individuals who faced and overcame failures, such as JK Rowling and Michael Jordan.

The value of persistence and learning from failure is discussed, with a call to not let failures define oneself.

Asking for help is portrayed as a sign of strength, not weakness, and is encouraged for students to learn and grow.

The speaker calls on students to commit to their goals and work hard, despite the challenges they may face.

The potential impact of students' contributions on the future of the country is highlighted, with a call to action for students to think about their legacy.

The speaker concludes by urging students to not let themselves, their families, or their country down, and to strive for excellence in their education.

Transcripts

when I was young my family lived

overseas I lived in Indonesia for a few

years and my mother she didn't have the

money to send me where all the American

kids went to school but she thought it

was important for me to keep up with an

American education so she decided to

teach me extra lessons herself

Monday through Friday

but because she had to go to work the

only time she could do it was at 4 30 in

the morning

but whenever I'd complained my mother

would just give me one of those looks

and she'd say this is no picnic for me

either buster

so I know that some of you are still

adjusting to being back at school but

I'm here today because I have something

important to discuss with you

my father left my family when I was two

years old

and I was raised by a single mom who had

to work and who struggled at times to

pay the bills and wasn't always able to

give us the things that other kids had

there were times when I missed having a

father in my life

there were times when I was lonely and I

felt like I didn't fit in

so I wasn't always as focused as I

should have been on school and I did

some things that I'm not proud of and I

got in more trouble than I should have

and my life

could have easily taken a turn for the

worst

but I was I was lucky

I got a lot of Second Chances and I had

the opportunity to go to college in law

school and follow my dreams

my wife our First Lady Michelle Obama

she has a similar story neither of her

parents had gone to college and they

didn't have a lot of money

but they worked hard and she worked hard

so that she could go to the best schools

in this country

[Music]

it's in your life

will give you the support that you need

maybe someone in your family has lost

their job and there's not enough money

to go around

[Music]

neighborhood where you don't feel safe

or have friends who are pressuring you

to do things you know aren't right maybe

you could be a great writer maybe even

good enough to write a book or articles

in a newspaper but you might not know it

until you write that English paper

uh that English class paper that's

assigned to you

maybe you could be an innovator or an

inventor maybe even good enough to come

up with the next iPhone or the new

medicine or vaccine but you might not

know it until you do your project for

your science class

maybe you could be a mayor or a senator

or a Supreme Court Justice

but you might not know that until you

join student government or the debate

team

and no matter what you want to do with

your life I guarantee that you'll need

an education to do it

you want to be a doctor or a teacher or

a police officer

you want to be a nurse or an architect a

lawyer or a member of our military

you're going to need a good education

for every single one of those careers

you cannot drop out of school and just

drop into a good job

you've got to train for it and work for

it and learn for it

and this isn't just important for your

own life and your own future

what you make of your education will

decide nothing less than the future of

this country

the future of America depends on you

what you're learning in school today

will determine whether we as a nation

can meet our greatest challenges in the

future

you'll need the knowledge and problem

solving skills you learn in science and

math to cure diseases like cancer and

AIDS and to develop new Energy

Technologies and protect our environment

you'll need the insights and critical

thinking skills you gain in history and

social studies to fight poverty and

homelessness crime and discrimination

and make our nation more fair and more

free

you'll need the creativity and Ingenuity

you develop in all your classes to build

new companies they'll create new jobs

and boost our economy

we need every single one of you to

develop your talents and your skills and

your intellect so you can help us old

folks solve our most difficult problems

if you don't do that

if you quit on school

you're not just quitting on yourself

you're quitting on your country

I know it's not always easy to do well

in school

I know a lot of you have challenges in

your lives right now

they can make it hard to focus on your

schoolwork

I get it I know what it's like

but at the end of the day

the circumstances of your life

what you look like where you come from

how much money you have what you've got

going on at home

none of that is an excuse for neglecting

your homework or having a bad attitude

in school

that's no excuse for talking back to

your teacher or cutting class or

dropping out of school there is no

excuse

for not trying

where you are right now doesn't have to

determine where you'll end up

no one's written your destiny for you

because here in America you write your

own destiny you make your own future

that's what young people like you are

doing every day all across America

that's why today I'm calling on each of

you to set your own goals for your

education and do everything you can to

meet them

your goal can be something as simple as

doing all your homework

paying attention in class or spending

some time each day

reading a book

maybe you'll decide to get involved in

an extracurricular activity or volunteer

in your community

maybe you'll decide to stand up for kids

who are being teased or bullied because

of who they are or how they look

because you believe like I do that all

young people deserve a safe environment

to study and learn

maybe you'll decide to take better care

of yourself so you could be more ready

to learn

but whatever you resolve to do I want

you to commit to it

I want you to really work at it

I know that sometimes you get that sense

from TV that you can be rich and

successful without any hard work

that your ticket to success is through

rapping or basketball or being a reality

TV star

chances are you're not going to be any

of those things

the truth is being successful is hard

you want love every subject that you

study

you won't click with every teacher that

you have

not every homework assignment will seem

completely relevant to your life right

at this minute

and you won't necessarily succeed at

everything the first time you try

that's okay

some of the most successful people in

the world are the ones who've had the

most failures

JK Rawlings

who wrote Harry Potter

her first Harry Potter book was rejected

12 times before it was finally published

Michael Jordan was cut from his high

school basketball team

he lost hundreds of games and missed

thousands of shots during his career but

he once said I have failed over and over

and over again in my life and that's why

I succeed

these people succeeded because they

understood that you can't let your

failures Define you you have to let your

failures teach you

you have to let them show you what to do

differently the next time

so if you get into trouble

that doesn't mean you're a troublemaker

it means you need to try harder to act

right

if you get a bad grade that doesn't mean

you're stupid it just means you need to

spend more time studying

no one's born being good at all things

you become good at things through hard

work

you're not a varsity athlete the first

time you play a new sport you don't hit

every note the first time you sing a

song you've got to practice the same

principle applies to your schoolwork

you might have to do a math problem a

few times before you get it right you

might have to read something a few times

before you understand it you definitely

have to do a few drafts of a paper

before it's good enough to hand in

don't be afraid to ask questions

don't be afraid to ask for help when you

need it I do that every day

asking for help isn't a sign of weakness

it's a sign of strength because it shows

you have the courage to admit when you

don't know something and that then

allows you to learn something new

so find an adult that you trust a parent

a grandparent or a teacher a coach or a

counselor and ask them to help you stay

on track to meet your goals

and even when you're struggling even

when you're discouraged

feel like other people have given up on

you

don't ever give up on yourself

because when you give up on yourself

you give up on your country

the story of America isn't about people

who quit when things got tough

it's about people who kept going who

tried harder who loved their country too

much to do anything less than their best

story of students who sat where you sit

250 years ago and went on to wage a

revolution and they founded this nation

young people

students who sat where you sit 75 years

ago who overcame a depression and won a

World War

who fought for civil rights and put a

man on the moon

students who sat where you sit 20 years

ago who founded Google and Twitter and

Facebook and changed the way we

communicate with each other

so today I want to ask all of you

what's your contribution going to be

what problems are you going to solve

what discoveries will you make

[Music]

what will a president who comes here in

20 or 50 or 100 years say about what all

of you did for this country

now your families your teachers and I

are doing everything we can to make sure

you have the education you need to

answer these questions

I'm working hard to fix up your

classrooms and get you the books and the

equipment and the computers you need to

learn foreign

all of you to get serious this year

I expect you to put your best effort

into everything you do

I expect great things from each of you

[Music]

so don't let us down

don't let your family down or your

country down most of all don't let

yourself down

make us all proud

[Music]