A More Perfect Union
March 19th, 2008 | by Dave Cramer | Published in Culture, Featured | 2 Comments
Sen. Barack Obama gave this speech yesterday, March 18th, in Philadelphia. This was supposed to be a speech on race, meant to address comments recently made by his former pastor in Chicago, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, and also to address the politics of race in this election. Race has been a dividing point in this country for centuries, even this election has provided some fuel for the fire, with inflammatory comments made by Geraldine Ferraro, and others. But Obama does with the issue of race what no politician has done (at least not in my opinion). He addresses it unequivocally, and speaks to the American people as if they were adults, with a say in their lives, and with responsibility to take action. He expects us not only to vote, but to stand behind our vote with actions that align with our hearts. He does something that we see Jesus do in the Scriptures, he turns the expected around and gives new insight. “You have heard it said… but I say to you.” We hear Jesus say those words time and again in the New Testament. In a way, Obama is saying that “Race has been a divisive issue for our country since the beginning, but I say that it can be our unifier. The time has come for us to address it, and get started on the path to unity.”
Here is the link for the whole speech, which is absolutely worth reading.
Sen. Barack Obama “A More Perfect Union”
Here is the YouTube video if you would rather watch and listen to him give the speech. It’s just under 40 minutes, so it takes a little time, but it is worth it.
Enjoy.
March 20th, 2008 at 6:16 am (#)
A truly amazing oratory on racism. I have so many thoughts on what I heard and of the whole situation but I’m still in awe of the honesty that this man brings while on the campaign trail. Not the usual stuff.
Thanks, Dave, for the post.
March 20th, 2008 at 2:20 pm (#)
The best class I’ve taken so far in my return to college is the multi-cultural ed class I took last Spring. It really ended up being an “anti-racist” education course and it was FABULOUS. Absolutely FABULOUS. The Professor was (well, is) a mid-60’s-ish African American man who had simply the BEST way of teaching and sharing with us. Being the mom of mixed-race daughters gives me perhaps a little deeper insight into the issue of racism - being a student of his gave me even more. It was the BEST class. I actually thought of emailing him and asking for his thoughts on Obama’s speech. I cried through the whole thing…there’s a surprise I know - but I was just so moved, so impressed, and so hopeful. I think that was it - Obama has renewed my sense of hope for a future worthy of my daughters’ souls.
Thank you, Dave. Thank you, Barack. Thank you, Jesus. It is about time…..