Illinois Senator Barack Obama

In his Selma Voting Rights March Commemoration (2007), Senator Barack Obama stated that we as we address issues today, we need to understand our history in the context of the great civil rights struggles and the First Principle of equality: 

I’m here because somebody marched. I’m here because you all sacrificed for me. I stand on the shoulders of giants. . . . .

There are still battles that need to be fought; some rivers that need to be crossed. Like Moses, the task was passed on to those who might not have been as deserving, might not have been as courageous, find themselves in front of the risks that their parents and grandparents and great grandparents had taken. . . .  What do we do in order to fulfill that legacy; to fulfill the obligations and the debt that we owe to those who allowed us to be here today?

Now, I don’t think we could ever fully repay that debt. I think that we’re always going to be looking back, but there are at least a few suggestions that I would have in terms of how we might fulfill that enormous legacy. The first is to recognize our history. John Lewis talked about why we’re here today. But I worry sometimes – we’ve got black history month, we come down and march every year, once a year. We occasionally celebrate the various events of the Civil Rights Movement, we celebrate Dr. King’s birthday, but it strikes me that understanding our history and knowing what it means, is an everyday activity. . . .

Second thing that the Joshua generation needs to understand is that the principles of equality that were set forth and were battled for have to be fought each and every day. It is not a one-time thing.

For the full text of his speech, visit www.barackobama.com

For more about how to prepare for the 2008 presidential election and its importance to our liberties today, buy a copy of  America’s Survival Guide.

 

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