The scary speech

Wow! that was a scary speech President Obama gave to the students.  Scary, in that I think he has my house bugged.  Apart from the personal stories, my children hear that speech almost daily.  I need to thank him though, I have been meaning to record myself. Now, I do not need to, I can play his.  I can now alternate between my speeches and his.

I, quite simply cannot understand the uproar.  What was wrong about anything that was said?  
Honestly, the President of the United States addressing students was something of sorts I hoped for when I decided to send my sixth grader to public school.  I watched the speech with my other children whom I still homeschool.  But, for my 11 year old I wanted her during these years to observe this historic time in a public setting.  I wanted her to have additional memories of significant moments that will imprint her.

I remember growing up in Jamaica and the Prime Minister at the time visited our school.  The country was going through a period of uncertainty.  My family supported the Prime Minister's party and election at the time, but he later made statements that made them and a number of people uneasy.  Even though many parents at the school did not agree his politics, his visit was still welcomed.  This was after all the Prime Minister making an appearance.  I still carry that memory of his visit.  Perhaps it was not life-changing for me, but a nice memory still. 

Children appreciate when people of importance take an interest in them.  For the rest of their lives, the children present at Wakefield High School will remember that Pres. Obama visited their school.  The children who were not denied the opportunity to hear him deliver his statement will also remember him as showing an interest in education.  When he spoke of his own experiences growing up, I am certain many related to him.  Imagine being told that even though you face adversity now, you can still go on to be anything you want, by someone who has lived it.

After the speech, my five year old said to me " President Obama asks for help when he needs help."