[Cidadania] O discurso de despedida do Obama

Na semana passada, o Presidente Barack Obama fez o seu discurso de despedida. Na eminência da posse do Donald Trump, eu decidi aproveitar e destacar os principais pontos do discurdo do Obama. apesar de, obviamente ser focado na realidade dos EUA, em vários momentos Obama deixou diversas lições de democracia, cidadania e humildade:

"And every day, I have learned from you [the american people]. You made me a better President, and you made me a better man"
"(...) change only happens when ordinary people get involved and they get engaged, and they come together to demand it"
"(...) our progress has been uneven. The work of democracy has always been hard. It's always been contentious. Sometimes it's been bloody. For every two steps forward, it often feels we take one step back. "
"But that potential will only be realized if our democracy works. Only if our politics better reflects the decency of our people. (Applause.) Only if all of us, regardless of party affiliation or particular interests, help restore the sense of common purpose that we so badly need right now." (nota: destaquei esta parte pois destaca um dos problemas que temos no Brasil, na minha opinião: "nossos políticos são reflexo da honestidade do nosso povo")
"(...) democracy does not require uniformity"
"(...) democracy does require a basic sense of solidarity --- the idea that for all our outward differences, we're all in this together; that we rise or fall as one."
"(...) if we don't create opportunity for all people, the disaffection and division that has stalled our progress will only sharpen in years to come."
"[Falando sobre a igualdade] But laws alone won't be enough. Hearts must change. It won't change overnight. Social attitudes oftentimes take generations to change. But if our democracy is to work in this increasingly diverse nation, then each one of us need to try to heed the advice of a great character in American fiction -- Atticus Finch -- (applause) -- who said "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.""
"For too many of us, it's become safer to retreat into our own bubbles, whether in our neighborhoods or on college campuses, or places of worship, or especially our social media feeds, surrounded by people who look like us and share the same political outlook and never challenge our assumptions."
"(...) we become so secure in our bubbles that we start accepting only information, whether it's true or not, that fits our opinions, instead of basing our opinions on the evidence that is out there."
"But politics is a battle of ideas. That's how our democracy was designed. In the course of a healthy debate, we prioritize different goals, and the different means of reaching them."
"When voting rates in America are some of the lowest among advanced democracies, we should be making it easier, not harder, to vote. When trust in our institutions is low, we should reduce the corrosive influence of money in our politics, and insist on the principles of transparency and ethics in public service. When Congress is dysfunctional, we should draw our congressional districts to encourage politicians to cater to common sense and not rigid extremes."
"Our Constitution is a remarkable, beautiful gift. But it's really just a piece of parchment. It has no power on its own. We, the people, give it power. We, the people, give it meaning. With our participation, and with the choices that we make, and the alliances that we forge. Whether or not we stand up for our freedoms. Whether or not we respect and enforce the rule of law. That's up to us."
"So, you see, that's what our democracy demands. It needs you. Not just when there's an election, not just when your own narrow interest is at stake, but over the full span of a lifetime. If you're tired of arguing with strangers on the Internet, try talking with one of them in real life. If something needs fixing, then lace up your shoes and do some organizing. If you're disappointed by your elected officials, grab a clipboard, get some signatures, and run for office yourself. Show up. Dive in. Stay at it."
"I'm asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about change -- but in yours."