PHILADELPHIA — President Barack Obama, in a message Tuesday to America’s students, urged them to ignore bullies and treat one another with kindness and respect, saying part of the beauty of life “lies in its diversity.”
Obama acknowledged that school is tough and that it can be made even tougher by the presence of classroom bullies who make fun of students and try to make those who are different from them feel bad. He said students should ignore the bullies and celebrate the differences among one another.
“What I want all of you, if you do take away one thing from my speech, I want you to take away the notion that life is precious, and part of what makes it so wonderful is its diversity,” Obama said from a Philadelphia school during his second back-to-school address.
Obama urged students to stay in school, study hard and take responsibility for their education. He said the nation’s ability to compete globally in the 21st century depends on an educated workforce.
