Weekly Reader: Great Speeches Edition

In the wake of Barack Obama's speech on racism in America, [Text] [Video] the only thing on which most pundits agree is that it was courageous and honest. There's a lot of "it's good, but will it get them off their tractors?" speculation going around, but rather than indulging our baseless opinions (never fear, Michael Gerson is on the job) we'll link to some of the other speeches it's being compared to. We'll also throw in a couple of other fantastic speeches that you probably haven't read but really should. 

Martin Luther King, Jr: "Why I am Opposed To The War In Vietnam" [Text]

Martin Luther King, Jr: "I Have A Dream" [Text]

John F. Kennedy: "Address to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association" [Video] [Text/Audio]

Robert Kennedy: "Statement on the Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr."

Robert Kennedy: "Challenge to GDP"

Above all, I'd recommend MLK's Vietnam speech. The echoes of our own times that flow through his words are striking. Beyond that, his uncompromising and consistent moral vision is at the heart of liberalism and a remarkable contrast to the role that Christianity has played in our national politics recently. 

I'd also like to point out Ed Kilgore's article on Obama and His Church, which delves into the relationship between Trinity UCC and the community and highlights some of the differences regarding the role of the church in white and black life.