Obama Appeals to America: ‘We Cannot Turn Back’



DENVER (NNPA) – U. S. Sen. Barack Obama has officially accepted the Democratic nomination for president of the United States before an audience of at least 75,000 adoring supporters, who also cheered the possibility of his becoming America’s first Black president.

The euphoric moment was played out before millions who watched by TV and the internet around the world. It transcended politics as it shattered doubts that Americans of all races and backgrounds can unite behind an African-American candidate for president. Moreover, it raised hopes that people of color can soar above intrinsic White supremacy in a nation that for centuries embraced slavery, Jim Crow and modern-day institutional racism. “With profound gratitude and great humility, I accept your nomination for the presidency of the United States,” Obama told the crowd of flag-waving, cheering, chanting, applauding, stumping and crying supporters at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver.

He immediately recalled his 2004 speech to the Democratic Convention as a then candidate for the U. S. Senate.

“Four years ago, I stood before you and told you my story – of the brief union between a young man from Kenya and a young woman from Kansas – who weren’t well-off or well-known, but shared a belief that in America, their son could achieve whatever he put his mind to,” he said. “It is that promise that has always set this country apart – that through hard work and sacrifice, each of us can pursue our individual dreams, but still come together as one American family, to ensure that the next generation can pursue their dreams as well.” He continued, “That’s why I stand here tonight. Because for two-hundred-and-thirty-two years, at each moment when that promise was in jeopardy, ordinary men and women – students and soldiers, farmers and teachers, nurses and janitors – found the courage to keep it alive.”

Obama was referring to the 232 years of internal conflicts since the July 4, 1776, adoption of the United States Declaration of Independence. That was the congressional document that announced that the 13 American colonies at war with Great Britain were pulling out of the British Empire. Since then, America’s internal conflicts have included the Civil War as well as the Civil Rights Movement.

The fact that the historic speech, given on Aug. 28, 2008, fell on the 45th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream Speech” added to the euphoria of the moment. This was especially since one of the most memorable lines in Dr. King’s address, was “Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado.”

But, Obama did not allow symbolism to overshadow substance. He went straight for the political juggler, tying his opponent Republican John McCain to the beleaguered administration of President George Bush and ticking off a long list of public policy issues that he would tackle as president.

“Tonight, more Americans are out of work and more are working harder for less. More of you have lost your homes and even more are watching your home values plummet. More of you have cars you can’t afford to drive, credit card bills you can’t afford to pay, and tuition that’s beyond your reach,” he said. “These challenges are not all of government’s making. But the failure to respond is a direct result of broken politics in Washington and the failed policies of George W. Bush. America, we are better than these last eight years. We are a better country than this.” He focused largely on three issues – education, health care and the economy – that African-Americans have named as their top concerns, according to the Joint Center on Political and Economic Studies.

“The truth is, on issue after issue that would make a difference in your lives – on health care and education and the economy – Senator McCain has been anything but independent,” he said.

He promised to invest in early childhood education; “recruit an army” of new teachers, “pay them higher salaries and give them more support.” He also promised affordable college education, accessible health care for every American and increased paid sick days.

On the economy, he distanced himself from Bush Administration policies, saying he would “stop giving tax breaks to corporations that ship jobs overseas, and I will start giving them to companies that create good jobs right here in America.”

He also promised to “eliminate capital gains taxes for the small businesses and the start-ups that will create the high-wage, high-tech jobs of tomorrow.”

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