The emotions between the races could never be pure; even love was tarnished by the desire to find in the other some element that was missing in ourse… - Barack Obama

The emotions between the races could never be pure; even love was tarnished by the desire to find in the other some element that was missing in ourselves.

And, finally, our nations are strongest when we empower our young people –- because ultimately, you're the one who has to break down these old stereotypes and these old barriers, these old ways of thinking. Prejudices and stereotypes and assumptions -- those are what happens to old minds like mine. I'm getting gray hair now. I was more youthful when I first started this office. And that’s why young people are so important in these efforts.

If you you're in the United States, sometimes you can feel lazy and think we're so big we don't have to really know anything about other people.

Only you can make sure the democracy you inherit is as good as we know it can be. But it requires your dedicated, informed, and engaged citizenship. This citizenship is a harder, higher road to take. But it leads to a better place. It is how we built this country – together. It is the question President Kennedy posed to the nation at his inauguration; the dream that Dr. King invoked. It does not promise easy success or immediate progress. But it has led to success, and it has led to progress. That brings me to the second thing I ask of you – I ask you to persevere.