Courtney Mains

1/26/2015
Obama Speech Summary Draft
Obama addressed the nation on the 50th anniversary of the Washington march at which
Martin Luther King Junior addressed thousands of repressed African American citizens. His
speech began with a description of that day. He talked about how African Americans across the
nation traveled to Washington. Some spent every last dime they had to get there while other
walked or hitchhiked for the opportunity to see Dr. King speak on oppression.
Obama spoke repeatedly of the hope they all had at the time of the march. They had
chosen to remain hopeful for change instead of giving into the hatred that surrounded them and
growing to be hateful people themselves. Martin Luther King inspired the thousands that had
come to see him speak to believe better days were coming and all they had to do was believe that
justice was coming if they continued to make their voices heard.
President Obama then addressed the persistence of the black community. Changes
became apparent in society. Laws were changed, education became available to all races, and
African Americans were becoming a part of city councils, state legislation, congress and the
white house. This sparked change in other ways across the nation. Women pushed for voting
rights which were eventually granted them and other races became an accepted part of society.
Kindness and acceptance began to be shown to individuals with disabilities as well as individuals
who are part of the gay community. Countries around the world looked at the United States and
began to follow suit, sparking world wide change.
The president then moved on to say that our work on reaching equality is not yet
complete. In fact, he believed it had come to a stand still and, in some ways, had slid backwards.
Many believe the march in Washington had occurred only to achieve racial acceptance. Obama
corrected this belief though in saying that those marching were also marching for economic
opportunity as well as justice for the black community. He went on to talk about the American

dream and how it was also and still is the African American dream. Every citizen strives for
decent wages, fair working conditions, livable housing, old-age security, health and welfare
measures, conditions in which families can grow, education for their children, and respect within
the community. Instead, the gap between races in terms of wealth is continuing to grown and
advances in technology are taking jobs from middle class citizens.
The president then spoke about the way progress is sliding backwards. Citizens are
getting involved in riots that he considers to be self defeating. He also spoke of the outbreak of
police brutality. Grievances over those lost to police brutality are turning into excuses for
criminal behavior. All the progress that had been made has come to a stand still and hope is
diminishing. The country to this day remains divided and we need to find a way to bring back the
passion for change that those involved in the Washington march had.
Obama then announced that quality education needs to be available for all children in
order to provide them equal opportunites in todays society. He believes todays generation is
capable of enacting the change todays society so desperately needs. Teachers of today are paying
for supplies out of their own pockets and speaking up to have that changes. Business men are
hiring ex convicts in an attempt to give them a chance at a better life. Mothers today are teaching
their daughters that they have all the same rights that men do. Fathers are being involved in their
childrens lives despite their own fathers never being involved and veterans are helping fellow
veterans recover from injuries while continuing their service to their country from home.
He ended his speech by saying and I quote change does not come from Washington, but
to Washington. American citizens who are devoted to the United States are capable of changing
it despite the seemingly impossible odds. Every race, region, and faith needs to come together.
We are capable of equality, acceptance of one another, and of continuing to pursue the positive
change Dr. Martin Luther King knew was in this countrys future.