Obama Speaks at the 100th Anniversary of the NAACP

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President Obama addresses the NAACP.

For the first time since his election, President Obama has addressed a predominately African-American audience.  He spoke last night in New York City at the 100th convention of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), which is a powerful civil rights organization in the United States.

Obama acknowledged that he himself has benefited from the work of the NAACP, but admitted that there are still obstacles for the African-American community to overcome. 

He had a specific message for the parents in the audience, urging them to take a more active role in the lives of their children.  Conversely, he asked young people to aspire to goals other than becoming basketball stars and rappers.   Speaking about young African-Americans he said,

“I want them aspiring to be scientists and engineers, doctors and teachers, not just ballers and rappers,” Obama said. “I want them aspiring to be a Supreme Court justice. I want them aspiring to be president of the United States.”

That statement earned Obama a standing ovation from the NAACP crowd.
  
What do you think of his message to parents and students?

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About Tanya Brothen

Tanya Brothen is a blogging enthusiast who began writing for the web on a whim. Now it’s her job.||She recently received a Master’s Degree in International Affairs and works as a New Media Officer for the State Department. Tanya not only writes for By the People, but also acts as the blog’s organizer, keeping everyone on topic and on time. To demonstrate her understanding of democracy, she holds regular blog team meetings and usually listens to what the others have to say.

57 thoughts on “Obama Speaks at the 100th Anniversary of the NAACP”

  1. Obama has hit the nail on the head. The blacks in America should aspire to greater heights

  2. BLACKS , WERE NOT GIVEN PROPER ORIENTATION AND MERGINALISED, THE ONLY WAY THEY CAN BE RECOGNISED ARE THROUGH THOSE THINGS. NOW THEY ARE RECOGNISED, SO THEY HAVE TO GO FOR THE BEST JUST AS THEIR BROTHER OBAMA SAID.

  3. I agree with the President whole heartedly. He is not the first person to say these things. Yet I must say that I work with my children to show them images of people who have had this kind of success in their lives so they can know what is possible for them.

  5. My dear

    powerful man of World

    the president of U S

    i request you take necessary action for srilankan Tamilans peace of life

    the human bourn one time in world

    thats what we want peaseful life

    not only srilankan tamilans all mankind livethings in world

    thank you sir

    regards

    sadhesan

  6. Youth in a society is the repository of idealism. If inspired to select a proper role model, a young person could stand transformed for a mediocre nonentity to a dynamo of zeal and dedication.

    If Obama is serious about passing on the baton to the next generation he must make such sessions more frequent. Also, he needs to set up in place a mechanism to encourage a two way dialogue with those who so seek.

  8. A great day for NAACP as well as for US. Just as Obama’ elction as President has glorified US democracy, despite the
    monstrous mayhem whcih he inherited, his appeals to the black community would
    upgrade the quality of such citizens. This would hit at discrimination and further marginalize the extremist loonies across the board. If Obama’ call is heeded by the black community, it would make US stronger alongwith its democracy.

  9. In Puerto Rico the American Psychiatric and Psychological Association have basically taken over the VA and are being allowed to use outlook to their free will. In outlook they are freely advertising and asking other psychiatrists to support the idea to have the President of the United States let them take over money and management of the SanJUan VA and start a pilot universal health plan covering the island of Puerto Rico and their veterans so that it can be incorporated later into the States.

    The data they are using to show the President their capacity to do that is taken from their application of performance measurements of the Stategic Plan for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, a program that has resulted in a large increase of veterans suicide rate in the United States.

    We know that the suicide rates in Puerto Rico is not being trully measured and if low are due to the older programs still use that both APA’s want to replace.

    We believe they are not really thinking about the veterans best interest but private interest is their first.

    Because they are promoting visits to psychiatrist taking place for only 15 minutes every 4 months we also believe there are pharmaceutical companies’ interests involved.

  10. Is the french translation of the remarks of president OBAMA will be soon online ?

    Thanks

  11. I thought that there is a discrimination against human by human only in India. But it seems the white people that we admires about their colour and the style of course their inteligent too have the discrimination?. I am shame of their attitude. In India we have laws aginst discrimination of caste but there is no in use

  12. I pleased with Obama’s comments but he should assist those blacks by empowering them.

  13. I love You and support You with all my heart Mr. President Barack Obama

  14. I am an amerian citizen living abroad. I find itis extremely important to know that facts before making statements, for example the recent incident in Honduras. The O.A.S. (Organiztion of American “States) recently led by Mr. Hugo Chavez, is NOT an ALLY of the U.S. , it is acting more like a steping stone to further cultivate it’s hate to the U.S. That book, Chavez gave Mr. Obama at the OAS summit is ridiculous. When will Mr. Obama wake up and see what is really happenng in the world. Best of luck Mr. Obama, and please don’t be so naive when it comes to defending our nation. (The greatest benefactor to the whole world). When do any of these countries ever say thank you?

  15. Dear Mr. President OBAMA. I respect your personality as a world leader reflected by the strength of your statements with deep insight in human life. Your message to the parents and children of African-Americans is equally important to the same of African-Africans. Every African-African wishes better and better life every next morning. BUT these are WISHES!! We surely need to, not only be helped, but also, and most importantly, be taught HOW we can work on our own to aspiring to higher levels of our modern life during this age of Science and Technology.

  16. That is the way, my loved president ! That is the way!

  17. The media, video clips show that life is easy and money is waiting for you.

    For one NBA star, how many are left behind?

    We need to practice what we preach.

  18. The message should have been read by most of the up-coming youth who need this as a solu food to their academic lives each day of their lives.We need to develope our skills as all round people who will help the world in the years to come .Personally the message was an encouraging one .THANKS TO OBAMA MY ROLE MODEL IN TERMS OF FAITH AND HIS CAREER A LAWYER.

  19. It’s nowadays obvious that the will lead to power, so this is very interesting that all so said blocked should will to move forward.

  20. President Obama has echoed what many have said before him. He is a leader who understands what, family, education and parental guidance and support mean long term to the youth of America and people around the world. The social and economic plight of average Americans is a bi-product of failing parental guidance, lack of focus on the basic elements of success in life and misplaced values. There are many parents in America who provide and support there children, but fare to many who struggle there whole lives only to pass that same hope of “A better Day” on to there children. My vote for President Obama would have been misplaced had he said nothing. His task is a great one, the Road is long and never ending, but to say or do nothing means failure to all that hesitate.
    Respectfully,
    J.K.Infield

  21. President Obama’s speech is very instructive.
    It simply means that it’s high time African-Americans shook off all the vestiges of inferiority complex and see possibilities beyond mere entertainment and sports.

  22. “a galvanizing speech of “MR PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA!” I can’t stop listening it on “you tube”.
    Which crossed road, which beautiful victory … a great thought for FREDERIC DOUGLAS, BOOKER T WASHINGTON, WEB Dubois TOUSSAINT LOUVERTURE, MARTIN LUTHER KING, ROSA PARKS and all those who fought for our freedom and our rights as citizens thank you to them.

  23. As a Vietnamese,I also love the message of President Brack Obama, it’s not only good for the young in America and Africa, but also for all the young in the World.They should concentrate most of their interests on preparing for their better life in the future.

  24. obama have just demonstrated to the world what makes him great leader his message is not only for the black Americans but also to African leaders and there Youths indeed he is my model i so much love and all Americans

  25. i think Obama simply means that Black Americans are not associated with a particular job, they can be what ever they wish to be.so they should not blame anyone if they fail.and am glad he asked them to quit criminal acts wish only help to defile their image.i think this statement is instructive.

  26. Prez Obama’s speech to NAACP was not only impressive but self motivating and inspiring. Let all take a cue from him and other African-American activists of blesssed memory.

  27. Very impressive and self motivating speech to NAACP. May God bless prez Obama and the entire black race.

  28. I watched that clip on tv-about the ncc–i think its totally beautiful the President Obama can encourage and relate to the needs of the African Americans–its good aspiration-i just think they should have equal opportunities as White Americans(sorry I am not familiar what else to call the whites in America–here we call them Muzungu-still dont know what that means?)-what i mean is a few may not all get into professionalism–as I watched Donald trumps program -apprentice i realized there are some with no education backgrounds who can be amazing business men–or even chefs–its talent and skill?that makes them uniquily fit into the economy of things–soo go go on President Obama I believe you have made me open my eyes to all options as i look at your point of view!

  30. Ability to motivate others comes easily to a gifted leader. But a leader of the masses has to present a model of an inspired soul. For the key to human behavior is in emulation.

    Obama should, on the lines of peace corps volunteers, organise a new corps of cultural oracles to fan out across world’s islands of feudalism and fundamentalism. Let them as torch bearers of enlightenment become the catalysts of cultural churning in lands where ignorance rules.

    When forces of renaissance gather pace the dark clouds of ignorance, prejudice and exploitation, the stuff that terrorism is made of, wither away, allowing the long subdued people to bask in the sunlight of emancipation.

  31. President Obama could be seen as a leader who is ever willing to raise the hopes of the hopeless people that has given up hopes, due to certain prevailing circumstances that surrounds them in their society, such as discrimnation, unequality… Infact, he could be seen as A messiah to the hopeless because of his genuine way of encouraging others not just the blacks in U.S but all the hopeless people across the globe.

  32. Obama, You have smart minds, thanks for supporting Black Americans and educating them. God has a reason of making you a USA president, We all need people like to stablelise the world. The struggle continues……

  34. SUCH INSPIRATIONAL AND MOTIVATIONAL SPEECHES HAVE BEEN MADE TIME AND AGAIN BY MOST BLACK ACTIVISTS BEFORE. BUT THE DIFFERENCE THIS TIME IS THAT THEY ARE COMING FROM A BLACKMAN WHO HAS ATTAINED THE ULTIMATE: THE PRESIDENT OF THE GREATEST NATION IN THE WORLD. THAT MAKES THE MESSAGE MORE PENETRATING AND POWERFUL. HOWEVER IT MUST NOT END THERE; OPPORTUNITIES MUST BE CREATED FOR THE MARGINALISED. ‘YES, WE CAN!’ THANK YOU SIR, OUR GREAT INSPIRER, PRESIDENT B. H. OBAMA.

  35. Finally, a President who truly gets it. What an amazing inspiration he is for today’s youth. His engaging speech really drives home the point that these kids can strive for and actually attain something more than the status quo. I am incredibly grateful that my children have the privilege to live in this great time of change.

  36. At last obama has articulated one of my long held ideas. Rap from what started out as an inspirational music form from the last poets through gil scott heron and on to spearhead etc,became hijacked by gansta rap. Regettably it is this form of the music that many youths in this country chose to pick up on,with it,s talk of respect and disrespect and constant misogany we now have in part a generation of violent gansta speaking children of all races in this country.
    Obama is right our children must aspire to more,and to this effect the obama,s are the ultimate role models.
    I also feel that huge store can be put in showing chidren little known aspects of their history,go beyond civil rights,beyhond slavery[although critically important] show then yoruba sculptures,benin bronzes ,sculptures from the nok culture of the niger delta. This applys to children from all nations and creeds. There are obviously more pressing problems but in major cities museums should work hard to get children through their doors.Never underestimate the power of art don,t forget the taliban blowing up the giant buddahs and sacking Kabul museum !

  37. I think this message is very inspiring for the colored youths whose goals have been for years to be great rappers, ballers or other super stars.
    Parents have a key to play on their children at a tender age, encourageing them to aspire to be scientists, engeneers, doctors, law & policy makers of the country depite the challenges of race, discrimination & xenophobia. He has made it; he has attained that goal. Others can too.
    What an incredible message!!!

  39. I would like to know why Obama cannot show all his records and mainly his BIRTH CERTIFICATE like all the other presidents have done in the past. All that is being given is his LIVE BIRTH CERTIFICATE and nothing else. Any one can get things over the internet and use as copies.
    Just show the records and BIRTH CERTIFICATE and be done with it………

  41. About the time you became President, I was Campaigning to take over a disused Community Centre to reopen for the use of the whole Community.
    …When I was told I sounded like you.
    Well I found out today what that means.
    I’m a small acorn compared to you, and I have planted many seeds in my Town, ‘PENGE’ SE20, London,which is about a mile square, in an effort to introduce change.
    I’m still Campaigning and would love to take up correspondence with you.
    Any reference to my Campaign and me can be found by Googling my name. I’m in the Top Ten.
    I hope this meets with your kind and considerate approval, and genuinely look forward to your response, as a fellow human being. Lenny Top Banana

  42. Спасибо за статью оказалась очень полезной.

  48. What benefit is there to toasting bread instead of just eating it untoasted? If there is no benefit, how much electric energy is wasted on toasting in the U.S. of A., do you think?

  51. It’s nowadays obvious, that the will lead to power, so this is very interesting that all so said blocked, should will to move forward.

  52. Hi Leopold, I did a quick search online but did not find a French translation of Obama’s NAACP speech.

    Does anyone else know if such a translation exists? If so, please post the link here!

    Tanya

  54. Hi Eurédice,

    Thank you for sharing the advice about google translate.

    Tanya

  55. hello Tanya,

    may be you you can help me to find the entire speech written on internet?