Discussion: READ: Full Text Of President Obama's Remarks At Selma

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Discussion for article #234063

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Lord, this was a gorgeous speech, gorgeously delivered. And to see John Lewis introduce him, in that place, was overwhelming. Find the video if you missed it.

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That was the best speech I’ve ever heard.

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What is our excuse today for not [F’] voting?

There I corrected it for you.

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Another one for the ages. Thank you, Mr. President.

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This left me speechless. Wow.

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There are rare, rare occasions where you can hear a speech for the first time and just tell that it will be immortal.
Kennedy’s inauguration,
King’s I have a dream.

I think this may someday be amongst them.

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This was most certainly an inspirational speech. It made you feel good about our country despite its flaws. It made you see that it wasn’t the works of politicians but common folks, of the oppressed who brought change and greatness to our country. It was a tribute of those who marched for change and a tribute of those who are to come. A very good speech Mr. President.

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President Obama’s speeches always have an effect on me.

Not just because he is able to distill the larger, and often obscured, historic moment out of the day-to-day churn that the news cycle celebrates.

Not just that he is able to identify We the People in those forgotten, marginalized citizens who fought, without fanfare and trumpets, for their American birthright of freedom, justice and dignity.

Not just because he can lead us to a greater understanding of our common purpose and history by relating novel insights into timeworn episodes of our dimly-recollected shared past.

Not just his poetic way with language.

It also is his cadence, his insistent rhythm that urges us on, almost as a drill sergeant has on his troops.

We march, for our struggle continues.

We march, as our destiny leads us forward and will not permit retreat.

It’s the sound of footsteps, an uncertain million-legged humanity finding its pace and rhythm and going from fitful lurch to purposeful stride.

It’s the sound of hope, and passion, and the strength of a people of vision.

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Yes, I am certain MLK would have been a cheerleader for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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So beautifully said. Thank you.

I found myself crying through so much of his speech … for all the ups and downs in our country’s history, progress and challenges … failings and hopes and dreams.

The pettiness of our current politics made me too cynical recently. This speech injected a renewed faith in this country and reminded me how much I love it.

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You and me both, jinx.

And when I hear Obama’s heartfelt testimony of what it truly means to love America, what it really means to say America is exceptional, my faith is renewed as well.

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I haven’t yet seen a video of this speech. Reading it just now, though, I sure could hear it.

Masterful. If people read or see this and still say this man doesn’t love this country, they just can’t hear.

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Mr. President,

I admire your abilities and never question your motives. But I don’t share the same convictions about how much as changed. I guess it must be because my standards are a bit higher. I am a direct descendant of enslaved Africans, and grew up during Jim Crow. I watched on TV the events that unfolded that day 50 years ago on the Edmund Pettis bridge. One of my college classmates is a sister to one of those little girls killed in Birmingham. AL.

What our people have gone through, in this country, and have achieved, is a drop in the bucket to what is due. And make no mistake, the attitudes that still exist, are not going anywhere anytime soon until as Oprah says, they die off.

The mere thought that protections that were needed and are still needed to maintain the right to vote, speaks volumes about where we are as a nation. And ask yourself this question. If things have really changed that much, then why is it not one of those white assed MFs couldn’t extend themselves to show up? But they have no problem concocting a way to disrespect you with that dog and pony show in Congress the other day.

I will respectfully agree to disagree with you, Sir.

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Here’s the video from whitehouse.gov

http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/civil-rights/selma

edit for optional link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVAZp1j0tKc

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Obama: “We honor those who walked so we could run. We must run so our children soar.”

George W. Bush: “Want some wood? Heh heh.”

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This classic is the Gettysburg Address, long form.

Compare from the 1863 Lincoln address: “…in a larger sense, we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.”

And the president’s speech:
“We gather here to celebrate them. We gather here to honor the courage of ordinary Americans willing to endure billy clubs and the chastening rod; tear gas and the trampling hoof; men and women who despite the gush of blood and splintered bone would stay true to their North Star and keep marching toward justice…Because the single most powerful word in our democracy is the word ‘We.’ We the people. We shall overcome. Yes we can. It is owned by no one. It belongs to everyone.”

If you are not moved by this speech you are either not hearing it or a racist.

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Don’t forget “Now watch this drive”, golf club in hand while our soldiers were dying in an unnecessary war overseas.

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Gotta agree. As much as the Philly speech on race was beautiful, moving, and masterful, this one was somehow even better. I definitely got all teary eyed.

It’s funny. I grew up hearing that exact same cadence in black churches. I never thought of it as a rallying of the troops, but I think you’re onto something.

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I think things have changed a great deal, it’s just that things haven’t changed nearly as fast as they should have and not nearly enough has been done. The problem is that we have millions of people in this country who view their greatest accomplishment in life as having been born white. Taking that away from them leaves them with nothing, no excuse for their failures, no one to blame for their mistakes. Accepting that being white is no accomplishment on their part means they have to face the fact that despite being born with that one great advantage, they still didn’t accomplish jack shit. For too many, that’s an impossible pill to swallow.

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