Obama\'s Back-To-School Speech Comparative Analysis

Obama's Back-to-School Speech

Comparative Analysis of News Articles on President Barack Obama's "Back-to-School" Speech

President Barack Obama made the headlines early this September as schools across America opened a new academic year. Obama welcomed all students, new and returning ones, by 'talking' to them through his "back-to-school" speech, delivered last September 1 at the Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia.

Obama's school speech revolved around the theme of making education the students' responsibility. The President elaborated on this theme by dividing this key message into three sub-messages, identified as follows: (1) there is a system that can support children's education, but the system is just as effective only if the child is willing to fulfill his/her duty as a student; (2) no matter what the circumstances are in the child's life, this must not be an "excuse for not trying"; and (3) ultimately, success is hard work, but students must understand that "people succeeded because they understand that you can't let your failures define you" (the White House, 2009).

News coverage of Obama's school speech either applauded or criticized this initiative, or both. Articles discussing the president's message to the students thoroughly discussed the issue, with the opposing view saying that the message he gave was not 'appropriate' for the students. Those who approve of Obama's speech, meanwhile, stated that his effort to directly bring the messages of studying hard and being responsible students are laudable because the students or the youth are just as important in helping improve the state of educational system in the U.S. today.

Two (2) news articles are included in the analysis: the first article is from Cable News Network (CNN), discussing the two contrasting views on Obama's speech -- one expressing disapproval of the speech's content, and another view expressing approval of this action by the president, and the second article, from New York Daily News (NY Daily News), expresses a stronger view in supporting Obama's decision to address students directly on his speech about assuming responsibility as students and as their duty to their country.

CNN's article entitled, "Obama urges students to work hard, stay in school," talked about the different views expressed by parents and even politicians after Obama delivered his speech in Virginia last September 1. It presented both positive and negative views on the president's speech, and both parents and school administrators were interviewed on their opinion regarding this controversial speech and event. There were parents and school administrators who considered the speech 'upsetting' and "too political." Among the parents and school administrators who viewed the speech in a positive light, meanwhile, said that the speech has become 'too politicized,' and that Obama's speech was actually 'inspiring' for kids and "very charismatic."

Other minor information was also included in the article. It reported that historically, there were similar initiatives done by former U.S. presidents, stating that Obama's school speech was not an original endeavor, and has actually been done by Presidents George H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan. In addition, the news article also focused its attention on the students' (and public's) reaction on Obama's request to students to draft letters stating "what they can do to help the President." Despite criticism about this request for draft letters from students, the report did not disclose the reasons why Obama's 'methodology' was criticized.