By Essence Dennis |Staff Writer|
President Barack Obama failed to address the disgusting actions that have occurred within certain police forces during his State of the Union speech. He also rarely discussed women’s rights, and the deplorable acts happening in Nigeria caused by Boko Haram.
Obama’s speech on Tuesday Jan. 20 did, however, discuss his plans on human genome advancement, keeping gatekeepers away from our internet (net neutrality), and climate change.
“I would have like to have heard him speak more on how he is going to better the environment besides hounding Native American coal miners in Virginia about their coal mining when they don’t have a choice, due to the employment scarcity on all reservations,” said Mark Ortiz.
During the end of his speech, Obama discussed issues that have occurred in Ferguson as well as New York.
“…We can understand a father who fears his son can’t walk home without being harassed. Surely we can understand the wife who won’t rest until the police officer she married walks through the front door at the end of his shift,” stated Obama.
He simply mentioned that “we have different takes on [it],” said Obama.
In my opinion, it seems as though Obama skimmed over the subject by not going into depth about the issues the public wanted to hear about.
“With Obama’s new immigration law more immigrants are able to get a driver’s license and legal papers which is good for taxing and keeping track of people we have here in this country,” said Daniel Olmos.
Olmos agrees with certain laws that are helping taxes as well as those trying to gain fair treatment in this country.
Another important topic Obama seemed to have missed was his brief response on same-sex marriage, where he defended free speech and rights for all people.
“We advocate for…people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. We do these things not only because they’re right, but because they make us safer,” said Obama.
That was it. He lumped important and diverse groups including ‘Muslims, political prisoners, religious minorities, etc’ and did not have to much to say about each group as individuals.
“I liked what was touched on in the speech, specifically women and helping the middle class, but I would rather him have implement more of these topics throughout his speech,” said Carolyn Solar.
I agree, Obama should have discussed women’s rights regarding birth control, and abortion.
Women deserve to take all aspects of their life in their own hands and although Obama fully supports this issue, he should have spoken on how he is going to change the minds of Republicans that now have control over the Senate.
You’ve heard his speech, viewed his transcript. What are your hopes on the future, CSUSB?
While Obama touched on some important points, I do not believe it was enough to entirely discuss the changes that need to be made.
If we’re going to get serious about enacting changes within our country, then all issues must be addressed, not just a few.
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