I want to live in that more perfect Union!
I just watched Obama's speech for the second time today and am still completely amazed that someone running for office -- for president! -- could be so honest. I mean soul-baringly honest, about something so hard to talk about as race. He did it without one single platitude!
This really isn't meant as an electioneering post, I am just astonished and grateful that the political discussion in the US has moved to race, to such an open, honest, clear, thoughtful, realistic, loving, productive discussion about race. A lot of the political analysis is disappointing, but what can you expect? Political analysts today are trained to read the spin, and this was utterly without spin.
This campaign is changing everything. As a nation, as a society, I hope we can live up to this call to get together and get real about the problems that are facing us. Too long our politics has been all about appealing to the worst in our natures -- I want to live in a society that takes on its problems using the best we have to offer.
I was totally blown away by his honesty. I was surprised that not everyone else was! Are we so jaded that we don't recognize it anymore?
ReplyDeletei've been waiting for a long time for a politician who faces what is real, what is often left unsaid, and isn't afraid to say so. And he did it in style, too, instead of using fearmongering like many of his opponents.
ReplyDeletelet's hope that his words brings out much necessary discussions and hopefully, solutions.
I couldn't agree with you more! At first I was just sad and frustrated that he was being *forced* give a speech on this topic, but it was so amazing, and I was so glad he did. I can't believe the spin this is getting. Did people even listen?? I guess some people still aren't ready for what they (we) really need. I found the speech incredibly moving. My only hope is that people watch (or read) for themselves, instead of getting snippets from the "news", so that they can form their own opinions. Thanks for posting about this!
ReplyDeleteI can't stop crying since I have heard it!!! I am currently working on my Master's in social work and often wonder how can we begin to correct so much hurt and damage in our system. Obama's speech is honest and refreshing in stating we can't fix everything but we can begin to heal. If America is allowed to heal and come together, then maybe some things can be corrected. I think something corrected is better than nothing corrected. This is such a great time to be alive in history, isn't it?????
ReplyDeletei forgot to mention that I have put a post on my blog talking about the video. Feel free to check it out if you are interested:
ReplyDeletewww.beartrapsandroadmaps.blogspot.com
Thanks!
I love this part of the speech:
ReplyDelete"We can play Rev. 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."
He is so right. We are concentrating on the wrong issues if we continue this way. Regardless of who you support.
I was amazed by his ablility to say what he feels! Good for him! The media and the nation have forgotten that many that lived through segregation are still coming to terms with the experience. It did happen. People are still hurt and angry. Can't we all just get along.
ReplyDeletei was totally
ReplyDeleteblown
away
but
it's hard
for me
not to be
skeptical...
Hey! I saw Kate tonight and told her she'd better come and check this post out. I don't even really know you, and I have to tell her about your blog!! Silly world, but what can I say? I'm a tech junkie. Love my blogs.
ReplyDeleteI actually wrote about the speech, too. Here it is: Link
I'm pretty excited about Obama now, more than I even was already. Truth and honestly are so refreshing. I'd forgotten it was possible.