Criticising the “disturbing and hateful” poll rhetoric, First Lady Michelle Obama has asserted that America is a “nation of immigrants” and diversity will always be its greatest strength.
Speaking during the Nowruz celebration at White House, the First Lady urged Americans to cherish the talent and energy and the beautiful traditions and cultures that come with the heritage of Nowruz.
She criticised the hateful rhetoric that has been going on regarding immigrants during the poll season and hailed diversity as the greatest source of strength and pride for the United States.
An excerpt from her speech:
We think America is strongest when we recognize our many traditions when we celebrate our diversity, and when we lift each other up. Right now, when we’re hearing so much disturbing and hateful rhetoric, it is so important to remember that our diversity has been and will always be our greatest source of strength and pride here in the United States. We are a nation of immigrants and we should cherish the talent and energy and the beautiful traditions and cultures that come with that heritage, not just today but every day. I’m proud that here at the White House, we host special events to mark the holidays but we celebrate St Patrick’s Day, Diwali, Cinco de Mayo. And with your help, today, we’re celebrating Nowruz, which is one of our newest White House traditions.
Nowruz is a traditional Iranian festival of spring and considered as the beginning of the New Year among Iranians.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)