US President Barack Obama began his farewell address amid deafening chants of “four more years.” The President in his departure speech, warned against everything from anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim, anti-women, anti-gay, pro-Russian to pro-rich sentiments that President-elect Donald Trump has publicly backed. Obama took up the stage in Chicago as the crowds roared “four more years, four more years.”
The president tried to calm the emotional crowd of people who had come to see a man who at last avenged 9/11 attack, made gay marriage lawful and ensured healthcare for all citizen of the most powerful country. However, he failed to silence the crowd who wanted nothing but him ruling the state for at least another four-year.
“You can tell I’m a lame duck, because no one is following my instructions,” Obama said jokingly as he started his speech. He continued with a big “thank you” to all Americans who gave him an opportunity to serve as US President.
Obama right through his address looked calm and composed and joked about many things. But, as he thanked his wife Michelle, his two daughters and vice president Joe Biden, tear was seen falling down from his eyes.
He emphasized in the speech that the US democracy is what it is because of its inclusiveness apart from its pledge of equality of economic opportunity for all, despite race, religion, gender or sexual identity. The message looked quite clear as Americans head into four years rule of Trump who publicly maligned women, the weak, immigrants and the poor.
“In ten days, the world will witness a hallmark of our democracy,” Obama said. The reference was understandable as America voted Trump to power.
“Going forward, we must uphold laws against discrimination – in hiring, in housing, in education and the criminal justice system… we, as citizens, must remain vigilant against external aggression, we must guard against a weakening of the values that make us who we are. That’s why I reject discrimination against Muslim Americans. That’s why we cannot withdraw from global fights – to expand democracy, and human rights, women’s rights, and LGBT rights – no matter how imperfect our efforts, no matter how expedient ignoring such values may seem,” said Obama.
The US President also emphasized on the significance of economic and social equality for everyone. “But we’re not where we need to be. All of us have more work to do. After all, if every economic issue is framed as a struggle between a hard-working white middle class and undeserving minorities, then workers of all shades will be left fighting for scraps while the wealthy withdraw further into their private enclaves. If we decline to invest in the children of immigrants, just because they don’t look like us, we diminish the prospects of our own children – because those brown kids will represent a larger share of America’s workforce,” Obama said.
The president also talked about foreign policy and how foreign powers can also be a threat to US democratic system. “So let’s be vigilant, but not afraid. ISIL will try to kill innocent people. But they cannot defeat America unless we betray our Constitution and our principles in the fight. Rivals like Russia or China cannot match our influence around the world – unless we give up what we stand for, and turn ourselves into just another big country that bullies smaller neighbors,” Obama said.
Obama concluded his speech by repeating his 2008 campaign slogan, although with a twist. “Yes We Can. Yes We Did. Yes We Can.”
