Filed under: News, Interviews, Politics, President Obama, Race and Civil Rights
Hopefully, the right-wing hysteria that followed President Barack Obama's back-to-school speech to students last year will die down to a trickle this year as the president prepares to give a similar address.
The White House said the speech will take place Sept. 14 but hasn't announced where.
In one of the first brush fires of the Obama presidency, some parents and conservatives complained that the president planned to use his speech for political purposes.
The worries were unfounded, as Obama stayed away from politics and delivered a message of working hard and not settling for second best at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Va.
Obama would be wise to do the same this September, but I wonder if he will be able to help himself in light of the political battles that he has endured in the past year, as well as those that lie ahead.
Will the president hold his tongue with this golden opportunity to address the controversial Park 51 Islamic center and mosque proposal at Ground Zero?
Obama waded into the issue in support of the project, which has been roundly criticized by a majority of New Yorkers. He quickly back tracked a day later and called Park 51 "a local issue," after he drew criticism from Republicans and within his own party.
Will Obama restrain himself from discussing the bruising political battle ahead on immigration reform?
Both of these subjects touch on issues of religious freedom and equity that Obama believes in passionately, and I'm sure he could artfully impart some interesting lessons that would be worthwhile for the students.
But it will probably be best for all concerned if Obama leaves the politics at the White House and brings the inspiration to school. Why give the haters more ammunition to attack?
Watch Obama give his first school address here: