Aaron Jones |
Obama State of the Union Summary
Two years ago President Obama stood at the Lincoln Memorial and gave a speech to reflect on Martin Luther King Jr’s speech there 50 years ago from that day (now 52.) Obama thanked everyone that was a part of the movement, from former president Clinton, to Jill. He quoted King, and then goes on to explain how almost 200 years ago words were written into stone that were supposed to free the slaves. However, the words that were written on paper were never actually enforced up until 50 years ago. Even then, it was a hard time. He then goes on to talk about the things the people did because of Kings Speech, the things that changed America because of the words one man said. Kings speech gave many people hope. Not only hope, but passive hope, he convinced most people to not riot and fight the white man, but instead to cooperate and peacefully work it out. To peacefully awake Americas sleeping conscious.
Obama then talks about the brave people, who stood in the face of terror and got beaten up, killed, slandered, and many other things just for the right of freedom. He talks about the horrible things that happened to couples in love, children on the street, and even after all this they didn’t lash out in anger. They didn’t lash out in anger, they didn’t fight back, and instead they had hope it all would change. And it did. And because of all this hope King gave them they kept trying, they didn’t resign and give up and die, they kept trying. They kept going on, and they went home with this hope and kept trying. They kept the flame of justice lit, among impossible odds. Because of what they did America changed forever. A civil rights law was passed because of their marching. America changed, possibilities opened. Restaurants opened, doors opened, the possibility of college opened. So many doors opened because the words King said that day. America changed not only for blacks, but for all races, all religions, people with disabilities, and all people of sexual orientations. Their iron will pushed through impossible odds to the end, to the light at the end of the dark long tunnel. Because of this Black Soldiers could finally get the respect they deserved. They went and fought for their country, and they finally got respect for doing it. Obama then goes on to say their work is incomplete, and some people still are oppressed in the free nation that is supposed to be America. America must be vigilant, and not be complacent. We’ll get the occasional setback, but America will get through all of it. Just like King did. Kings goals were the same as everyone else’s. To be accepted, to be able to vote freely, and to work at where he pleases. How everyone deserves an equal chance. Decent wages, fair working environments, housing that’s livable, security, and conditions where a family can do well. King wanted the dream every American had. Every American deserved the same dream, no matter their race. Obama then goes on to talk about how the gap still is there, Latino and Black unemployment is twice that of whites. What king wanted is now further away than it should be. Americans wages have stayed the same, even though corporation’s profits have hit new all-time highs. Inequality has risen to a new high in America. On the 50th anniversary of Kings Speech the fact that all this still goes on is heartbreaking. King died for all this, and it’s still not right. Obama then goes on to talk about in those 50 years America has stagnated for the middle class, how it’s all the same 50 years ago for them. There is a lot of unfinished business that America still has to finish up, and its not going to be easy. Courage comes from inside yourself, and that is what is going to push it. Not corporations practicing old business policies that are keeping progress back. There is a reason why so many people marched that day, said Obama. Young, old, no matter their age they all joined together for one thing. And that one thing still is just out of arms reach. They all dared to dream differently, and look what came of it after all their work, time, pressure, and violent acts. He then goes on to mention how all these people are marching for the same goal. No matter how different they are. From a little girl, to a business man who’s practicing a fair work environment. Obama talks about how the goal is so close, but yet to far away. And how we all will need to work together for that goal, to get past the old laws constricting us, and the old ways politicians and businessmen still use that keep us back. We need to be just like King, we need to work together for the same goal and get past the barriers that are setup to keep us back. We need to all act as one nation, and not a divided nation like we have in the past.
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