political_talk

Chief Justice John G. Roberts on Affirmative Action

In a Supreme Court packed with conservatives, this was no surprise. Chief Justice John G. Roberts:

The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race.

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Source: Seattle School District case (2007-06-28)

VIDEO & FULL TEXT: TED KENNEDY Speech at the Democratic National Convention 2008

Senator Edward "Ted" Kennedy's speech at the Democratic National Convention in Denver:

August 25, 2008

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Caroline¹.

My fellow Democrats, my fellow Americans, it is so wonderful to be here.

And nothing -- nothing is going to keep me away from this special gathering tonight.

I have come here tonight to stand with you to change America, to restore its future, to rise to our best ideals, and to elect Barack Obama President of the United States.

As I look ahead, I am strengthened by family and friendship. So many of you have been with me in the happiest days and the hardest days. Together we have known success and seen setbacks, victory, and defeat. But we have never lost our belief that we are all called to a better country and a newer world. And I pledge to you -- I pledge to you that I will be there next January on the floor of the United States Senate when we begin the great test.

Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you.

For me this is a season of hope -- new hope for a justice and fair prosperity for the many, and not just for the few -- new hope.

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.: Now is the time to lift our nation...

From Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I have a dream" speech, delivered on August 28, 1963, to a crowd of 200,000 civil rights supporters on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington.

Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksand of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Democrat, 1929-1968

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Source: Wikipedia

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR: They will not be judged by the color.....

From Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I have a dream" speech, delivered on August 28, 1963, to a crowd of 200,000 civil rights supporters on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington.

The quote featured here was not a part of Dr. King's prepared remarks. It was extemporaneous, delivered by Dr. King after the African-American gospel singer Mahalia Jackson called out to Dr. King from the crowd, shouting "Tell them about the dream, Martin!".

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Democrat, 1929-1968

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Source: Wikipedia

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.: I have a dream.........

From Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I have a dream" speech, delivered on August 28, 1963, to a crowd of 200,000 civil rights supporters on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington.

The quote featured here was not a part of Dr. King's prepared remarks. It was extemporaneous, delivered by Dr. King after the African-American gospel singer Mahalia Jackson called out to Dr. King from the crowd, shouting "Tell them about the dream, Martin!".

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.’

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Democrat, 1929-1968

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Source: Wikipedia

LYNDON B. JOHNSON: SPEECH TO CONGRESS INTRODUCING THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 1965

President Lyndon B. Johnson's Message to the Congress The American Promise

March 15, 1965

Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, Members of the Congress:

I speak tonight for the dignity of man and the destiny of democracy.

I urge every member of both parties, Americans of all religions and of all colors, from every section of this country, to join me in that cause.

There, long-suffering men and women peacefully protested the denial of their rights as Americans. Many were brutally assaulted. One good man, a man of God, was killed.

There is no cause for pride in what has happened in Selma. There is no cause for self-satisfaction in the long denial of equal rights of millions of Americans. But there is cause for hope and for faith in our democracy in what is happening here tonight.

For the cries of pain and the hymns and protests of oppressed people have summoned into convocation all the majesty of this great Government--the Government of the greatest Nation on earth.

LYNDON B. JOHNSON: Commencement Address at Howard University on Affirmative Action, 1965

President Lyndon B. Johnson's Commencement Address at Howard University on June 4, 1965

Dr. Nabrit¹, my fellow Americans:

I am delighted at the chance to speak at this important and this historic institution. Howard has long been an outstanding center for the education of Negro Americans. Its students are of every race and color and they come from many countries of the world. It is truly a working example of democratic excellence.

Our earth is the home of revolution. In every corner of every continent men charged with hope contend with ancient ways in the pursuit of justice. They reach for the newest of weapons to realize the oldest of dreams, that each may walk in freedom and pride, stretching his talents, enjoying the fruits of the earth.