Obama says George Floyd protests are fueled by 'decades of unequal treatment' in 'wake-up call' to class of 2020
Former President Barack Obama has said that the nationwide protests following the death of George Floyd are fueled by "decades worth of anguish and frustration over unequal treatment and a failure to perform police practices." Obama and his wife, former first lady Michelle, delivered commencement speeches on Sunday, May 7, during YouTube's 'Dear Class of 2020' virtual ceremony.
The former first couple joined a star-studded lineup, including Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, BTS and Tom Brady to offer motivational messages to uplift fresh graduates. "Graduation is a big achievement under any circumstances, yours comes as the world is turned upside down by a pandemic and by a country that has been swept up by protests," Obama began in his speech. "I can barely imagine how head-spinning these last few months have been for you. None of this is how any of you imagined finishing your final spring at school."
The 44th president said that the Covid-19 pandemic had shed light on a number of issues entrenched in American society. "In a lot of ways, the pandemic just brought into focus problems that have been growing for a very long time," he continued. "Whether it’s widening economic inequality, the lack of basic health care for millions of people, the continuing scourge of bigotry and sexism, or the division or dysfunction that plagued our political system."
"As scary and uncertain these times may be, they are also a wake-up call. And they’re an incredible opportunity for your generation," the former president added. "The point is, don't let the lack of a big crowded ceremony take anything away from what your graduation signifies. Go ahead and bask in the glory of your achievement."
Several megastars were part of Sunday's lineup to congratulate and celebrate graduating college and high school seniors remotely, including Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish and Jennifer Lopez. They were also joined by Hollywood stars such as Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson as well as music greats such as Alicia Keys, Justin Timberlake and Katy Perry to give out inspiring welcome messages while also acknowledging the unique moment the world had found itself in.
Meanwhile, Michelle Obama told the Class of 2020 that she "struggled to find the right words to say" to them in the wake of recent events that have gained public attention. "What's happening right now is the direct result of decades of undressed prejudice and inequality," she said, while referring to the "rumbling of the age-old fault lines that our country was built on: the lines of race and power that are now once again so nakedly exposed for all of us to grapple with."
"For too many people in this country, no matter how much they work, there are structural barriers working against them that just make the road longer and rockier, and sometimes it’s almost impossible to move upward at all," she continued. Michelle also gave the graduates some "lessons for how to move forward in these tumultuous times" such as "life will always be uncertain," "treating people right will never fail you," and "share your voice with the rest of the world – your voice matters." The former first couple also appeared later for a lighthearted congratulatory message.