On Tuesday night, America heard the soothing Voice of Hope for the last time. After eight years of serving as President of the United States of America, Barack Obama delivered his final speech as president in Chicago. Here are some quotes from his most talked about issues and his top five moments:

Race Relations

“After my election there was talk of a post-racial America, and such a vision, however well intended, was never realistic. Race remains a potent and often divisive force in our society.”

Obama raised a very important point in the beginning of his speech; a black president cannot destroy racial tension.  He acknowledged that he could sense some improvement over the years but that much more work was needed to bridge the racial gap. In a simple, yet powerful allusion, Obama took a creative approach to how people should begin to look at different races and perspectives.

“[If] our democracy is to work the way it should in this increasingly diverse nation, then each one of us needs to try to heed the advice of a great character in American fiction, Atticus Finch, 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.’”

Branching off of the idea of considering things from a different perspective, he connected it to many different scenarios that Americans face.

“For blacks and other minority groups, that means tying our own very real struggles for justice to the challenges that a lot of people in this country face. Not only the refugee or the immigrant or the rural poor or the transgender American, but also the middle-aged white guy who from the outside may seem like he’s got all the advantages, but has seen his world upended by economic, and cultural, and technological change.”

“For white Americans, it means acknowledging that the effects of slavery and Jim Crow didn’t suddenly vanish in the ’60s; that when minority groups voice discontent, they’re not just engaging in reverse racism or practicing political correctness; when they wage peaceful protest, they’re not demanding special treatment, but the equal treatment that our founders promised.”

Stemming off of his Atticus Finch quote, Obama addressed all sides of racial tension by stressing the fact that all groups should consider the different perspectives that shape America.

Facts and Climate Change

“And increasingly 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.”

With the media of today being as polarizing as it is, Obama commented on the fact that many Americans only watch and only read news that they agree with. With the rise of “fake news” on social media, this message is even more significant. Sometimes even when people hear facts, they convince themselves that they are not true.

People’s inability to accept facts because they are not what they agree with is a scary reality that transcends into other issues as well, such as climate change. Obama condemns people who do not consider the facts when forming opinions on climate change because he believes it weakens our nation’s spirit.

“[To] simply deny [climate change] not only betrays future generations; it betrays the essential spirit of this country, the essential spirit of innovation and practical problem-solving that guided our founders.”

This jab at denying climate change is most definitely a jab at Donald Trump who not only denies climate change, but also is notoriously known for denying facts in general.

The Constitution

“[Let’s] be vigilant, but not afraid. ISIL will try to kill innocent people, but they cannot defeat America unless we betray our Constitution and our principles in the fight.”

Obama reminded America that in the fight against ISIL, America must stay true to its core principles in order to be a powerful nation. Since our nation is being targeted because of our basic values, the best thing we can do is embrace them. While many of our values are stated in the Constitution, Obama shared his view on our nation’s founding papers.

“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.”

Obama furthered this message through the idea of citizenship, or our duty to participate in government, as a key factor in the success of our nation in the coming years. He encouraged people to get involved in order to truly live what our Constitution demands.

Memorable Moments

5. Obama calls out Internet trolls

“If you’re tired of arguing with strangers on the Internet, try talking with one of them in real life.”

4. Obama tells America to go “do something about it”

“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.”

3. Obama chokes up after addressing First Lady

“Michelle…Michelle LaVaughn Robinson of the South Side…for the past 25 years you have not only been my wife and mother of my children, you have been my best friend.”

2. Obama champions the youth

“Let me tell you, this generation coming up — unselfish, altruistic, creative, patriotic — I’ve seen you in every corner of the country. You believe in a fair, and just, and inclusive America; you know that constant change has been America’s hallmark, that it’s not something to fear, but something to embrace, you are willing to carry this hard work of democracy forward. You’ll soon outnumber any of us, and I believe as a result the future is in good hands.”

1. Obama concludes with the heart of his campaign

“I do have one final ask of you as your president — the same thing I asked when you took a chance on me eight years ago.

I am asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about change — but in yours. Yes, we can. Yes, we did. Yes, we can.”