A Call for Courage
On August 28, 2013, President Barak Obama gave a speech entitled “The Fiftieth Anniversary of the March on Washington,” which was held at the Lincoln Memorial. In this speech, President Obama called the American people to come back to a place of courage to make change. The day he delivered his speech marked the fiftieth anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speech “I Have a Dream.” President Obama spent time reflecting on Dr. King’s words, but he spent even more time in his speech impressing upon the American people that the drive and desire for change exists in each of us, we simply need to exhibit the courage.
While he noted that many changes have certainly taken place since the 1963 march, which was primarily about the unfair treatment of African-Americans, President Obama pointed out the fact that America still needs change to take place. He referred to the middle class workers, striving to make their way up the ladder, such as the black janitor, the white steel workers or the Native American veteran . Those examples were not necessarily about race, but about opportunity and hard work and courage to push towards new chances. He really was addressing the problem of the economics of our country. The point he wanted to make was that while progress has been made that Dr. King wanted to see unfold in regards to race being less of a dividing factor, our society is still divided by these obstacles of men and women working so hard but limited because of their financial status.
He referred to various examples of people today who work hard to implement change by utilizing the courage to keep pushing forward- such as teachers and mothers and fathers. Those are the middle class citizens, much like the ones who marched with Dr. King, who are the heart of America, preparing to make changes. President Obama implied that those men and women exhibit courage every day and are the ultimate example we should be looking towards for the future of our society implementing changes.
Much like Dr. King’s original speech, President Obama also touched on the basis of our country, found in the Declaration of Independence. He started out by quoting the words found in the document; words that we are meant to live upon as a country in a unified fashion. He reminded those listening that the words written then, the words that Dr. King also used as a reference, were not just words, but an intended way of life for the people of the United States of America. He touched on ideas and examples of how we as a country could come together to live equally, more unified and with a sense of justice and pride. President Obama said that those American who overcome the differences that divide us- like religious differences, social statuses or color of skin- are the ones who will shape the nation for the future to bring about the change. He compared those people to the likes of the ones who marched with Dr. King.
His speech recapped the history of the last 50 years since Dr. King’s speech. He remembered specific people who made sacrifices, but also recognized those whose names we will never know. He challenged the Americans that we could be just like those brave men and women were that day, and we can make a path to change the future of our nation.
President Obama called out the obstacles that get in the way, such as political agendas or financial status. He gave examples of how those problems cloud the vision of what lies in the hearts of the American people, which is the desire to make change occur within all of society- not separately, but together; not against one another, but united, regardless of race or social status or religion. Lastly, President Obama referred to the past march of Dr. King as a pivotal marker in the history of the United States, but presented an inspiring challenge that together, those of us who can rise above the differences (such as religion, race, age, or wealth) can come together and make a change by exhibiting the courage that lies within our souls. He challenged that together, the American people could make a change that could end problems such as poverty, hunger, or political divides, to name a few. The American people were challenged by his words to dig deep for that courage and march on, making a difference, making change.
Works Cited
Obama, Barack. "The Fiftieth Anniversary of the March on Washington." Lincoln Memorial. 28 August 2013. Speech.
On August 28, 2013, President Barak Obama gave a speech entitled “The Fiftieth Anniversary of the March on Washington,” which was held at the Lincoln Memorial. In this speech, President Obama called the American people to come back to a place of courage to make change. The day he delivered his speech marked the fiftieth anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speech “I Have a Dream.” President Obama spent time reflecting on Dr. King’s words, but he spent even more time in his speech impressing upon the American people that the drive and desire for change exists in each of us, we simply need to exhibit the courage.
While he noted that many changes have certainly taken place since the 1963 march, which was primarily about the unfair treatment of African-Americans, President Obama pointed out the fact that America still needs change to take place. He referred to the middle class workers, striving to make their way up the ladder, such as the black janitor, the white steel workers or the Native American veteran . Those examples were not necessarily about race, but about opportunity and hard work and courage to push towards new chances. He really was addressing the problem of the economics of our country. The point he wanted to make was that while progress has been made that Dr. King wanted to see unfold in regards to race being less of a dividing factor, our society is still divided by these obstacles of men and women working so hard but limited because of their financial status.
He referred to various examples of people today who work hard to implement change by utilizing the courage to keep pushing forward- such as teachers and mothers and fathers. Those are the middle class citizens, much like the ones who marched with Dr. King, who are the heart of America, preparing to make changes. President Obama implied that those men and women exhibit courage every day and are the ultimate example we should be looking towards for the future of our society implementing changes.
Much like Dr. King’s original speech, President Obama also touched on the basis of our country, found in the Declaration of Independence. He started out by quoting the words found in the document; words that we are meant to live upon as a country in a unified fashion. He reminded those listening that the words written then, the words that Dr. King also used as a reference, were not just words, but an intended way of life for the people of the United States of America. He touched on ideas and examples of how we as a country could come together to live equally, more unified and with a sense of justice and pride. President Obama said that those American who overcome the differences that divide us- like religious differences, social statuses or color of skin- are the ones who will shape the nation for the future to bring about the change. He compared those people to the likes of the ones who marched with Dr. King.
His speech recapped the history of the last 50 years since Dr. King’s speech. He remembered specific people who made sacrifices, but also recognized those whose names we will never know. He challenged the Americans that we could be just like those brave men and women were that day, and we can make a path to change the future of our nation.
President Obama called out the obstacles that get in the way, such as political agendas or financial status. He gave examples of how those problems cloud the vision of what lies in the hearts of the American people, which is the desire to make change occur within all of society- not separately, but together; not against one another, but united, regardless of race or social status or religion. Lastly, President Obama referred to the past march of Dr. King as a pivotal marker in the history of the United States, but presented an inspiring challenge that together, those of us who can rise above the differences (such as religion, race, age, or wealth) can come together and make a change by exhibiting the courage that lies within our souls. He challenged that together, the American people could make a change that could end problems such as poverty, hunger, or political divides, to name a few. The American people were challenged by his words to dig deep for that courage and march on, making a difference, making change.
Works Cited
Obama, Barack. "The Fiftieth Anniversary of the March on Washington." Lincoln Memorial. 28 August 2013. Speech.