What did President Obama say in his final speech at home?

(Baonghean.vn) - On January 10 local time, Obama returned to his hometown to deliver his farewell speech as US president. The speech focused on hope and change - the themes that helped him win the election.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama arrive in Chicago for his farewell speech. Photo: AP.

“Hello Chicago,” he said. “It's good to be home.”

The crowd's enthusiastic cheers took the president a moment to continue. "We're on live television," Obama quipped.

“You can say I'm a lame duck because no one follows my instructions anymore,” he joked. “Please sit down, everyone.”

“My fellow Americans, Michelle and I have been so grateful for the well-wishes we have received over the past few weeks,” Obama said. “Tonight, it is my turn to say thank you, whether we agree or almost never agree.”

He spoke about the importance of his conversations with everyday Americans: “They keep me honest, they keep me inspired, they keep me going. Every day I learn from you. You make me a better president, you make me a better person.”

The crowd interrupted his speech mid-speech with shouts of “four more years,” to which Obama replied: “I can’t do that!”

Barack Obama delivers his farewell speech in Chicago, Illinois. Photo: Reuters.

Obama recalled moving to Chicago as a young man, then spoke of the beauty of the republic and the Constitution. “It is because of the unity of these rights that people, through the tool of our democracy, can form a more perfect union,” Obama asserted. “That is a radical idea.”

Obama also paid tribute to civil rights and social justice activists, “men and women from Selma to Stonewall.”

“That's what we mean when we say America is great. It's not that we've been perfect from the start, it's that we've shown the ability to change.”

“America is a better place, a stronger place than when we started,” Obama said, listing the achievements of his administration, including same-sex marriage, the Iran deal and the killing of terrorist Osama bin Laden.

The crowd began to react when Obama mentioned President Trump’s inauguration next week. He asked the crowd to stop and noted the importance of “a peaceful transfer of power from one freely elected president to the next.”

“I committed to President-elect Trump that my team would ensure the smoothest possible transition, just as President Bush did to me,” he said. “Because it is up to us to ensure that our government can meet the challenges we still face.”

People line up to see President Barack Obama at his motorcade stop on his way to deliver a speech in Chicago, Illinois. Photo: Reuters.

Obama called for unity in the country, speaking of the power of democracy and unity.

“There have been moments in history that have threatened to fracture that unity. The beginning of this century was one of those moments. A slowing world, rising inequality; demographic change and the specter of terrorism—these forces are testing not just our security and prosperity, but our democracy as well. How we meet the challenges to our democracy will determine our ability to educate our young people, create good jobs and protect our homeland.”

Obama talks about Obamacare

In a week when Republicans are trying to repeal the Affordable Care Act — and President-elect Trump is calling for it to happen as quickly as possible — Obama spoke about health care, noting that the uninsured rate is lower and health care costs are rising at the slowest rate in 50 years.

“If someone can come up with a plan that can demonstrate that it outperforms the improvements we have made to the health care system — covering more people at lower costs — I will publicly support it.”

Obama: Post-racial America “was never a reality”

Obama, America's first black president and the son of Kenyan immigrants, discusses race and immigration.

“After I was elected, there was talk of a post-racial America,” he said. “That vision, while well-intentioned, has never been realized. Because racism remains a powerful and often divisive force in our society. I’ve lived long enough to know that race relations are better than they were 10, 20, or 30 years ago — you can see that not just in the numbers, but in the attitudes of young Americans politically.”

“But we're not there yet. We all have a lot of work to do.”

“If we refuse to invest in immigrant children simply because they don’t look like us, we diminish the prospects of our children and grandchildren — because children of color will make up a disproportionate share of the American workforce,” he said.

After receiving a standing ovation from the thousands of spectators, Obama continued to talk about race and the divisions in the American people. He quoted Atticus Finch from Harper Lee's classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird: "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view, which is to say, live as he did."

Obama pointed to the groups that were often the subject of political discussion during the 2016 election: “For people of color and other minorities, that means tying our struggles for justice to the challenges that so many people in this country face — immigrants, migrants, the rural poor, transgender Americans, and even middle-aged white people who seem to have had all the advantages on the surface, but who have seen their entire world turned upside down by economic, cultural, and technological change.”

Obama talks about climate change

The US president talked about climate change and the actions his administration has taken over the past eight years: reducing dependence on foreign oil, increasing renewable energy, signing the Paris Agreement.

He urged the country not to ignore the science: “Without stronger action, our children and grandchildren will no longer have time to debate the existence of climate change; they will be busy dealing with its impacts: environmental disasters, economic disruptions and waves of climate refugees.”

“We can and should debate the best approach to this problem now. But simply denying the problem not only betrays future generations; it betrays the essential spirit of innovation and practical problem-solving that guided our nation’s founders.”

Obama: Don't discriminate against Muslim Americans

“No foreign terrorist organization has successfully planned and executed an attack on our homeland in the last eight years,” Obama said, though he cited the rise in domestic terrorism, such as the Boston bombing and the San Bernardino massacre.

“I oppose discrimination against Muslim Americans,” Obama added, drawing enthusiastic applause from the audience.

Thanks and goodbye

Also in his speech, Obama thanked each individual. He had just uttered the word “Michelle” when the entire audience exploded and applauded the first lady.

“South Side girl, for the past 25 years you have been not only my wife and mother of my children, but also my best friend. You took on roles you didn’t want and made your mark with grace, courage, style and humor,” he said, wiping away tears with a handkerchief.

He then mentioned his two daughters: “You have become two wonderful young women, smart and beautiful, but most importantly, kind, thoughtful and passionate. You have easily overcome the burden of many years of being the center of attention. Of all the things I have done in my life, I am most proud to be your father.”

Obama also thanked Vice President Joe Biden, calling him “a brother” and “like family.” Thanking his staff, Obama said, “You changed the world.” Many of them quickly wiped away tears.

“I leave this stage tonight even more optimistic about our country’s future than when we started,” the US president added.

“My fellow Americans,” he said in farewell, “it has been an honor to serve you. I will not stop; in fact, I will be there with you, as a citizen, for as long as I live.”

Finally, Obama called on Americans to have faith in the country: “I hope everyone has faith, not in my ability to bring about change, but in your ability.”

Phu Binh

(According to Guardian)