I’d choose August 28th 1963: the day Martin Luther King delivered his “I Have A Dream” speech.
That would be something Beautiful to behold. Given the era I have been privileged to live in, where America has seen its first African American President, seeing a moment where it all began would be amazing.
Thinking about my own experience watching President Obama’s inauguration speech I can imagine what it was like for the 200,000 in attendance that day. Seeing something you wanted sooo bad, that you felt was right and GOOD in your Heart come to pass was fulfilling in and of itself. But having President Obama remind us that this was a result of all of us, that so many others needed the Change we were seeing as much as you did, made me me feel full.
And Open, and ready for endless possibilities. It doesn’t matter what side of the fence you were on, that day everyone believed anything was possible.
I still feel that way. I never expected our President to become a magician and pull progress out of his hat. I didn’t believe that he would do everything he said he would. But I believed he would try, and I believed in the promise his presence alone meant to America: that we were moving forward, and we were attempting it together.
I’m saying this with the thought that that same cohesiveness is what brought those hundreds of thousands of strangers to Lincoln Memorial on August 28th. The Need for something more and the collective demand for it, belief in it, that one man inspired in so many others. You can’t tell me President Obama didn’t do the same thing in his own right.
I’d like to witness the spectators. Feel their energy. Stand close to the steps, and see the fire in his eyes as he roused a nation to mobility, and freedom, and Change.
PEACE AND LOVE
Betty Jo and The World 
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This was one of the moments that popped into my mind when thinking about what I would write. Such an incredible speech, I would’ve loved to have been there. I remember taking time off work so that I could watch Obama’s inauguration here in Australia, and it was incredible – but I’m guessing nowhere near as incredible as it would have been to be at either of these two events. Good choice!
It takes a lot of hard work and sacrifice to achieve specific results, and speeches could be big motivations for that. I still remember Obama’s speech in Berlin (which was the only one I saw), and I must say it was great! But all dreams, hopes and aspirations need to be backed up by solid action. That’s the only way to bring about change… Well written, mate.
Destination Infinity