Saturday 8 November 2008

Yes We Can.

I can not get this out of my head and I'm feeling so moved and inspired by it.

I transcribed the lyrics/words and every time Obama talks about America or Americans, I just hear "world". Because, really, when you get right down to it, we're all one.

I hope these words touch you in some way too:

It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation.

Yes we can.

It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail toward freedom through the darkest of nights.

Yes we can.

It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness.

Yes we can.

It was the call of workers who organized; women who reached for the ballot; a President who chose the moon as our new frontier; and a King who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the Promised Land. Yes we can to justice and equality.

Yes we can.

Yes we can to opportunity and prosperity. Yes we can to opportunity and prosperity.

Yes we can heal this nation.

Yes we can repair this world. Yes we can.

Yes we can. Yes we can. Yes we can. Yes we can. Yes we can. Yes we can.

We know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change.

We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics who will only grow louder and more dissonant in the weeks to come. We've been asked to pause for a reality check. We've been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope.

But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.

The hopes of the little girl who goes to the public school in Dillon are the same as the dreams of the boy who learns on the streets of L.A.

We will remember that there’s something happening in America. That we are not as divided as our politics suggest. That we are one people. That we are one nation. And together we will begin the next great chapter in the American story with three words that will ring from coast to coast, from sea to shining sea; Yes we can. Yes we can. Yes we can. Yes we can. Yes we can. Yes we can. Yes we can. Yes we can. Yes we can.


Amen.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I never thought an American politician would inspire me, but alas! I was so emotional during that speech. Very Kennedy/Dr.King-esque...

Victoria said...

He is an amazing speaker!