First Lady Michelle Obama is currently getting a lot of buzz for her commencement speech at Oberlin College in Ohio. Obama's May 25 address explained that the graduates may not be fully prepared for what is happening outside of the campus.
However, she advised that instead of escaping the "noise," she urged the students to do the opposite and to avoid like-minded people.
"Here at Oberlin, most of the time you're probably surrounded by folks who share your beliefs," the First Lady said. "But out in the real world, there are plenty of people who think very differently than you do, and they hold their opinions just as passionately. So if you want to change their minds, if you want to work with them to move this country forward, you can't just shut them out. You have to persuade them, and you have to compromise with them."
Obama also encouraged the Oberlin graduates to be active in civic life to help change them for the better and to see the world in a different light.
"Today, I want to urge you to actively seek out the most contentious, polarized, gridlocked places you can find," the First Lady said. "Because so often, throughout our history, those have been the places where progress really happens - the places where minds are changed, lives transformed, where our great American story unfolds."
The First Lady has actively promoted volunteerism since 2009. She was responsible for a summer program called 'United We Serve,' which highlighted the importance of civic duty in the lives of Americans.
In addition to being the wife of the 44th President of the United States, Michelle Obama is also a lawyer and civic leader. She is known for being an advocate of physical activity, with the campaign 'Let's Move!' that strives to prevent childhood obesity. Obama also promotes proper nutrition and healthy eating.
