Eight years ago the 44th American President Barack Obama stepped up to the podium on a chilly January day and delivered his first inaugural address to a receptive crowd below. It was among the by a global audience.
On Jan. 10, 2017 Obama gave his last address, walking in to stadium with U2’s “City of Blinding Lights†blaring in the background.
“Four more years!†chanted the crowd.
Both speeches started with “My fellow Americans†and ended with “Thank you. God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America.†But a lot has changed in eight years and while the speeches shared some commonalities, they also reflected the difference in the state of the country.
FIRST INAUGURAL SPEECH
In his first speech as president, Obama called for a “new era of responsibility†both in terms of accountability of the government as well as the American people themselves.
He stressed upon the ideals of renewal, continuity and national unity.
“On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord,†he said at the beginning of his speech.
“Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America,†he said later on.
Obama mentioned these ideals in his speech to stress the need for shared sacrifice and a new sense of responsibility to answer America's challenges at home and abroad.
America was facing a number of challenges, such as the economic crisis, the lack of health care and terrorism. He did not shy away from mentioning them and vowed to face any and all challenges head on.
“And for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken -- you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you,†he claimed.
He spoke of America’s history and also the future.
“For the world has changed, and we must change with it,†he said, with the hopes of ushering in an era of transformation through science and technology.
And to all the other nations watching he assured them that America was an ally and friend.
“America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace,†he said, also mentioning: “that America is a friend of each nation, and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity.â€
FINAL ADDRESS
His final address was cautious but he remained optimistic. Obama reflected upon his accomplishments, such as marriage equality, resurrecting the U.S. economy and Obamacare. He also thanked his wife, family and staff.
But Obama spent the majority of his speech warning the American people about the threats that face the state of democracy.
“Democracy does not require uniformity,†he began, outlining the main threats to the state of democracy.
“Our democracy won't work without a sense that everyone has economic opportunity,†he said, speaking of the growing inequalities among the American people.
He then spoke about the racial divide. “For race remains a potent and often divisive force in our society,†he said. He urged his fellow citizens to consider things from someone else’s point of view quoting the beloved fictional character Atticus Finch.
“Embrace all not just some,†he said, adding, “Those brown kids will represent a larger share of America’s workforce.â€
He also talked about the problem of “bubbles,†referring to surrounding oneself with only likeminded people.
“This trend represents a third threat to our democracy. Politics is a battle of ideas; in the course of a healthy debate, we'll prioritize different goals, and the different means of reaching them. But without some common baseline of facts; without a willingness to admit new information, and concede that your opponent is making a fair point, and that science and reason matter, we'll keep talking past each other, making common ground and compromise impossible,†he said.
He spoke of fear from terrorism, extremism and intolerance being able to topple democracy. He advised Americans to “be vigilant but not afraid.â€
Finally, he warned Americans not to take their democracy for granted.
“That’s what our democracy demands, it needs you,†he said.
“All of this depends on our participation; on each of us accepting the responsibility of citizenship, regardless of which way the pendulum of power swings.â€
“We are all in this together; that we rise or fall as one.â€
He closed his speech with a request from the American people to believe in themselves and their ability to enact change, bringing it full circle to his campaign slogan as a note of encouragement: “Yes We Can.â€
