10 strong, inspiring quotes from Michelle Obama's speech
Michelle Obama's speech during a campaign rally for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on October 13, in Manchester, New Hampshire was warm, strong and passionate.
The First Lady of the United States (FLOTUS) made it crystal clear that America cannot afford to stay home this November 8 and not vote for Clinton as the next US president. Without even uttering the name "Donald Trump", she called out the Republican candidate for his unabashed "locker room" talk about sexually assaulting women in the video that was released on October 7.
 |
| Republican front-runner for US president Donald Trump. (Photo credit: AP) |
Calling this week as one of stark contrasts, Obama began by talking about celebrating the International Day of the Girl on October 11, which was the last event she hosted as First Lady, with the "Let Girls Learn" initiative. She said it was important that our girls are treated with respect and reminded how valuable and precious they are.
Ten quotes from Michelle Obama's speech:
1. The measure of any society is how it treats its women and girls. She asked the women and girls to reject those who demean or devalue them.
2. Our leaders must have some basic standards of human decency, which is something Donald Trump doesn't seem to understand.
3. Bragging about groping and kissing women can't be dismissed as just another footnote in this 2016 election campaign trail. She added that such hurtful words have been spoken by someone who is running for the next US president - that it has shaken her to the core in the most unimaginable way.
4. No locker room talk. What Trump said just shows how he has treated women throughout his life. Calling his lewd remarks as locker room talk is an insult to all the decent men and boys around the world. "Strong men don't need to put down women to make themselves feel powerful," Obama said.
5. A struggle women stand up to every day: Obama compared Trump to the man who lurks in the dark alley, bodyshaming women. He's that man who stands too close to you, stares long enough to make you feel uncomfortable in your skin.
6. Trump can't be allowed to dictate terms and conditions to the children, especially little girls on how they should look and how they should act.
7. Whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, no matter what party you belong to or support, no woman deserves to be treated in an inhuman way.
8. Obama strongly endorsed Hillary Clinton for the next US president, again. She said Clinton has proved herself in every role performed by her. The FLOTUS also said that she has the experience and exposure - more than Barack (Obama) and Bill Clinton - to lead the US. And yes, she happens to be a woman!
9. Clinton is not a quitter and she has faced challenges head on, both in her professional and personal life. And that's why the Americans needs someone like her as their leader.
10. Unlike their mothers and grandmothers, Obama said, today's American woman has all the power she needs to stop this madness from escalating further. She has knowledge, a voice and yes, a vote too, which she must use wisely.
That Michelle Obama devoted almost 16 minutes of her over 26 minute-speech to lashing out at Trump only shows how she meant business when it came to sending out a message to America and the rest of the world: if Trump becomes the next president "US can't maintain its moral authority in the world... it can't continue to be the beacon of human justice and diginity."
Twitter too expressed solidarity with the FLOTUS after her speech:
this is powerfull and everyone, esp. men, need to hear this. This is nothing to joke about. USA, do the right #vote! https://t.co/8G6vSas3BW
— Chris Liebing Ⓥ (@ChrisLiebing) October 14, 2016
Michelle Obama: Don't You DARE Vote For Trump And Undo Me And My Husband's Work! - Supreme Patriot https://t.co/ovPdiKP14e
— intelligencebar (@intelligencebar) October 14, 2016
I wonder if Michelle Obama has any political aspirations. She's a natural #PresidentialElection https://t.co/3mP8q3doTR
— Unoriginal Podcast (@UnoriginalPod) October 14, 2016
i'm going to miss @FLOTUS so much it hurts https://t.co/bIWWM5jVwp
— Taylor Trudon (@taylortrudon) October 14, 2016
Michelle Obama is a real role model. We will miss her in The White House. @MichelleObama @BarackObama pic.twitter.com/Iw4xo6KpVM
— Kitz Figaro (@KitzFigaro) October 14, 2016
Michelle please don't leave us. Please? @FLOTUS @MichelleObamahttps://t.co/WCqUfMSAUQ
— Jessica Gonzalez (@jessl_gonzalez) October 14, 2016
Hillary seemed overwhelmed:
.@FLOTUS, I'm in awe. Thanks for putting into words what's in so many of our hearts. -H
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) October 13, 2016
She said that Hillary Clinton will be that president for the United States - who motivates countrymen and women alike to achieve their very best.
Obama used that inspiring famous one-line again: "Remember this: when they go low, we go high!"
There's too much at stake for America this year, she emphasised and urged the citizens to "roll up their sleeves and get to work" and vote. For Hillary.