(photo source)
Every human being can make proper use of his God-given powers. This is why we have launched the 'Race to Top' project, so that we can give due credit to disadvantaged educational institutions like Booker T for their success. Today I have the opportunity to come and stand in front of you just like that, but it is not. Today, I have the opportunity to stand with you as President of the United States, because of my education. When I was only two years old, my father left us. At that time my helpless mother was in an inhuman situation with me and my sister. But one thing my mother, my grandparents never gave me a break. That is study. They always followed me. I had no way of making any excuses. My teachers also used to follow me to study. Luckily for me, they never stopped asking me to study. This is exactly what happened to my wife Michelle. His parents always followed him to study.
Let me say one thing, for the success of the country, some of you do not have to do well, the development of the country will be possible only if all of you are well educated. Through education you will find solutions to all kinds of problems. I remember when we were kids we were always asking our teachers, what is the use of learning these 'algebras'? Yes, that's right you can now become known as a Lord of the Rings. But by doing these numbers, all the tangles of your brain are actually being untied. By solving these mathematical problems, you are learning to solve all kinds of situations with different information, problems with cold head reasoning. I tell math teachers, you tell your students, the president says, everyone has to learn math well.
You all have your own story. Many have suffered a lot. The South Memphis area has always been underdeveloped. The people here have got everything by raising their hands, it has never happened. You got what you asked for, but it never happened. But there is no reason to suffer. Rather it is a matter of pride. Because, all that you have achieved, all the goals you have achieved, all the success you have achieved, all the dreams you have realized, are all your own, absolutely your own achievement, the fruit of your own hard work. These are not the fruits of anyone's grace.