Know this now, that one day your children will read of a time when racism had been dealt a fatal blow and know that then they will ask why it took so very long. Know this now, that one day we will have the chance to look back upon today and ask if we did what was right or what was wrong. In knowing the future, it would be a simple answer. Yet now, it remains as complex as the world itself, because the problems of mankind are tied so closely to the hearts of all the people of the world that they are not so easily untied from the convictions of our hearts and thereby the people of this world itself.
Know this, that, come what may, this world has changed forever. On this day, the 20th of January 2009, history has been made. In the coming years it will continue to be made, no doubt, but let us not forget the unity that this nation depends on to succeed. If for one day we can put aside partisanship for the pomp and circumstance of this day, then why not for another or another after that? Can we join together and progress? Will we put aside our immaterial and skin-deep differences? Does this nation have the ability to continue?
This is our hour, and our chance, to continue for this world the promise of great men and women of our past, the dream of justice and peace for each and every creature no matter how big or small, significant or seemingly unimportant. This is our day. Remember it and build on it. Our very continued existence depends on our cooperation. Not only will we be judged by the actions of our coming years, but history will show us whether or not justice and peace and equality for all will continue and profligate or if it will die in good intentions and misdirection.
This is the calling of our lives. Embrace it. And let this nation's successes be seen the world over not in the name of a god or a cause but in the name of humanity. Such is our task. Let us now get started.
Know this, that, come what may, this world has changed forever. On this day, the 20th of January 2009, history has been made. In the coming years it will continue to be made, no doubt, but let us not forget the unity that this nation depends on to succeed. If for one day we can put aside partisanship for the pomp and circumstance of this day, then why not for another or another after that? Can we join together and progress? Will we put aside our immaterial and skin-deep differences? Does this nation have the ability to continue?
This is our hour, and our chance, to continue for this world the promise of great men and women of our past, the dream of justice and peace for each and every creature no matter how big or small, significant or seemingly unimportant. This is our day. Remember it and build on it. Our very continued existence depends on our cooperation. Not only will we be judged by the actions of our coming years, but history will show us whether or not justice and peace and equality for all will continue and profligate or if it will die in good intentions and misdirection.
This is the calling of our lives. Embrace it. And let this nation's successes be seen the world over not in the name of a god or a cause but in the name of humanity. Such is our task. Let us now get started.
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