That is the power of our differences to make us smarter and more creative.?
And that is how all those infusions of new cultures and ideas, generation after generation,
created the matchless alchemy of our melting pot and helped us build the strongest,
most vibrant, most prosperous nation on the planet, right here.?
But unfortunately, graduates, despite the lessons of our history and the truth of your experience
here at City College, some folks out there today seem to have a very different perspective.?
They seem to view our diversity as a threat to be contained rather than as a resource to be tapped.?
They tell us to be afraid of those who are different,
to be suspicious of those with whom we disagree.? They act as if name-calling is an acceptable
substitute for thoughtful debate, as if anger and intolerance should be our default state
rather than the optimism and openness that have always been the engine of our progress.
But, graduates, I can tell you, as First Lady, I have had the privilege of traveling around the
world and visiting dozens of different countries, and I have seen what happens when ideas like these
take hold.? I have seen how leaders who rule by intimidation V- leaders who demonize and
dehumanize entire groups of people V- often do so because they have nothing else to offer.?
And I have seen how places that stifle the voices and dismiss the potential of their
citizens are diminished; how they are less vital, less hopeful, less free.
Graduates, that is not who we are.? That is not what this country stands for.?
No, here in America, we don t let our differences tear us apart.? Not here.?
Because we know that our greatness comes when we appreciate each other s strengths,
when we learn from each other, when we lean on each other.? Because in this country,
it s never been each person for themselves.? No, we re all in this together.? We always have been.