A message that embraces all Americans

An excerpt from Senator Barack Obama's powerful speech "A More Perfect Union" this afternoon at Constitution Center in Philadelphia:

"In the end, then, what is called for is nothing more and nothing less, than what all the world’s great religions demand – that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. Let us be our brother’s keeper, Scripture tells us. Let us be our sister’s keeper. Let us find that common stake we all have in one another and let our politics reflect that spirit as well.

"For we have a choice in this country. We can accept a politics that breeds division and conflict and cynicism. We can tackle race only as spectacle – as we did in the OJ trial – or in the wake of tragedy, as we did in the aftermath of Katrina - or as fodder for the nightly news. We can play Reverend Wright’s sermons on every channel, every day and talk about them from now until the election and make the only question in this campaign whether or not the American people think that I somehow believe or sympathize with his most offensive words. We can pounce on some gaffe by a Hillary supporter as evidence that she’s playing the race card, or we can speculate on whether white men will all flock to John McCain in the general election regardless of his policies.

"We can do that. But if we do, I can tell you that in the next election, we’ll be talking about some other distraction. And then another one. And then another one. And nothing will change.

"That is one option. Or, at this moment, in this election, we can come together and say, “Not this time.” This time we want to talk about the crumbling schools that are stealing the future of black children and white children and Asian children and Hispanic children and Native American children. This time we want to reject the cynicism that tells us that these kids can’t learn; that those kids who don’t look like us are somebody else’s problem. The children of America are not those kids, they are our kids and we will not let them fall behind in a 21st century economy. Not this time.

"This time we want to talk about how the lines in the emergency room are filled with whites and blacks and Hispanics who do not have health care; who don’t have the power on their own to overcome the special interests in Washington, but who can take them on if we do it together.

"This time we want to talk about the shuttered mills that once provided a decent life for men and women of every race and the homes for sale that once belonged to Americans from every religion, every region, every walk of life. This time we want to talk about the fact that the real problem is not that someone who doesn’t look like you might take your job; it’s that the corporation you work for will ship it overseas for nothing more than a profit.

"This time we want to talk about the men and women of every color and creed who serve together and fight together and bleed together under the same proud flag. We want to talk about how to bring them home from a war that never should have been authorized and never should have been waged, and we want to talk about how we’ll show our patriotism by caring for them and their families and giving them the benefits they have earned.

"I would not be running for President if I didn’t believe with all my heart that this is what the vast majority of Americans want for this country. This union may never be perfect, but generation after generation has shown that it can always be perfected. And today, whenever I find myself feeling doubtful or cynical about this possibility, what gives me the most hope is the next generation – the young people whose attitudes and beliefs and openness to change have already made history in this election."

Read the full text of Sen. Obama's speech and watch the video here.

Comments

[susanna]

I was driving in my car, listening to this speech. When I arrived at my destination, I didn't want to get out of the car and miss a word. This speech MOVED ME.

[pepektheassassin]

Didn't somebody once say, "What you DO speaks so loud I cannot hear what you say." Obama gave $20,000 to the church over the last several years. And had his picture taken with his arm around the Reverend (and I use than term loosely), both of the smiling. He and his wife were married by this man, and their children were baptised by him. Not know that he is a loose cannon? There is no way that could happen. I feel betrayed. ...I dunno. I dunno.

[jeanie]

I'm so very proud of my friend Sarah, who is a freshman at Trinity College in D.C. She was arrested yesterday as she protested the war at the IRS headquarters! Her dad is a colleague of mine, and I've grown up with this "little girl" since she was born and selling girl scout cookies at the station. She was in our Kevin's graduating class, so I've followed her in lots of ways throughout the years -- as a band member, in the play, and as a knitter! She was even in the background of a photo on the BBC site (they were taking the woman in front of her, who was wearing a read coat. She was sitting cuffed (I think) in front of two policemen!

Sarah said they kept her phone and wallet to send to homeland security. This makes me mad and makes me laugh. I would have never thought my little personal brownie scout would be on the homeland security list! You go, girl!

[berriehead]

HE scares me, they all do. The latest developments into his past are revolting to me. 20 years in a church that spews hatred & he never heard any of it? Watching his friend/ pastor preach from his pulpit reminded me of Adolph Hitler film reels ...Yes His speeches suck you in, he talks of things that are near and dear to me and a lot of my fellow Americans and good God I want so badly to believe what he says completely, but.... NOT at this time.

[JanePoe (aka Deborah)]

I'm so proud of him - he's grace under fire. JP/deb

[sharon]

I just listened to the speech and would encourage everyone who hasn't, to do so, rather than assume the analysis of pundits and news anchors is correct. It's been a VERY long time since I have heard a politician speak with such intelligence and honesty.

How refreshing it will be to not have to turn the television off in total revulsion and embarrassment when the President of the United States speaks.

[tangobaby]

Thank you, Tara, for posting this. I just hope that this one time, the behind-the-scenes machinations and the media don't ruin the best candidate we have who wants to truly challenge us to be better people and a better nation.

[Jeanie]

It was a stunning speech. Eloquent, thoughtful. Just stunning. Thanks for posting this.

[annieelf]

After hearing him, my thoughts are that this is what the country needs; this "something" that is so unlike what we have had in the past. I see the possibility of healing now; of really putting the past behind us and making us better.

[pepektheassassin]

And I wonder WHY Obama sat in a church where these diatribes were going on and didn't just get up in disgust and LEAVE? This old man spewing HATE is not a man of God. And Obama's past association with him is more disturbing to me than the ex-governor of NY's association with some pricy prostitute.

Mitt Romney looks better and better.

[Kimberly Ann]

It really was a wonderful speech, but I too find his comparison of Rev. Wright to his grandmother to be a bit of a stretch. Rev. Wright has said and done thing that truly are beyond understanding and I can't imagine why Mr. Obama chose to stay in his company all these years. I have supported him and still do but I am troubled by this development.

[pepektheassassin]

Oh, Tara, I have been a real Obama supporter--I loved him for his optimism, his vitality, his message-- but I am really disappointed by the company he keeps. This "old Uncle" who he compares to his "white grandmother" is disturbing. While his loving grandmother may have said some things he found hurtful, she did not accompany Louis Ferrakhan to meet M Qaddaifi (sp?), or say God Damn America or any of those other racial slurrs against whites. It is a bad comparison. I think Rev Wright is reprehensible, and Obama could not possibly have attended his church for 20 years and not heard any of this stuff.(Unless he was, as Jay Leno said last night, sleeping in church). It disturbs me that Obama is "friends" with this "old Uncle" who tells black people that white scientists invented the AIDS virus to kill off the black race and other such stupid statements. The speech was wonderful. Obama has charisma and is fantastic with words. But I am really disappointed, and I suspect many others are as well.

[Di Overton]

This is a very powerful speech and believe me when I say that over here in the UK we are feeling the effects of the Bush administration now. Blair, the lap dog, followed Bush's lead and left us to pay the price.
What we need over here now is another Barak Obama but just where he or she is hiding we do not know.

[Carol]

When Barack Obama spoke, I got to hear someone finally speak to us as adults about our own history - the good and the bad. He is calling on us to work together; elevate our thinking and seek to change, not repeat, the mistakes of the past. This man believes in the fundamental truths that our country was founded on, how refreshing. I hope we all get a chance to see what this man is capable of. I love to remind myself that each and every day, I am watching history in the making and I believe Barack will be a significant player as time unfolds before us. I do have great hope.

[robyn]

Thank you Tara, I had to leave for work a few minutes into obama's fabulous speech, so nice to read it. Hope you are well. : )

[My Melange]

A great speech!! We were moved to tears. He is, remains and always will be our one and only candidate for President!!! I just hope that others can see what we see and hear..and get past the media spin. Can't wait to read his books :)

[rochambeau]

Thank you Tara for posting the this! My mom and I watched earlier.

Sending light
xox
Constance

[Becky]

Thank you Tara for posting this. He continues to inspire! I hope folks are listening.

I sure enjoyed the brocante pictures! You're so kind to share!
Take care!
Becky

[awareness]

They just replayed the speech on the CBC radio while I was making dinner....absolutely compelling.

[deirdre]

I saw the speech during the morning news and absorbed every word. I really believe this man speaks for all of us. And he's such a graceful speaker.

[parisbreakfast]

I'm reading his book: Memories for my father
TERRIFIC!

[Michaele]

This man stops me in my tracks every time I hear him speak- when I finally get control of the television while the toddler naps, as I walk through the airport and the news is on...as I'm driving down the road and I hear a commercial...even as I got ready for breakfast with friends when I traveled out of state last month. He's not perfect, no one is, but for the first time...ever...a presidential candidate is *speaking to ME.*

Thanks for posting this!

[Gillian]

Oops! I've carried my Irish theme over to today by mistake...I meant Obama, not O'Bama!!! The first Black Irish president. LOL!

[Gillian]

What wonderful words. I hope the future of the U.S. is chosen well in November. I really like Barack O'Bama.
I don't really know who I'd vote for, but Democratic would be the party for me I think this time around if I did vote.
I hope you guys get someone intelligent and not self serving.
xoxo

[jzr]

YES, YES, YES! Let us go forward!!

[Tammy]

Amen to that! "Not this time" is how I've been feeling.

XXOO

Thinking of you!