Monday, September 1, 2008

A Young Preacher From Georgia








I watched Barack Obama’s speech last Thursday during the National Democratic Convention. I watched the speech with my family, including my grandparents. We were very proud of Senator Obama and we thought he gave a great speech.

My family and friends, though, are still debating about whether it was right for him to only refer to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as that young preacher from Georgia, especially since Senator Obama gave his acceptance speech on the anniversary of Dr. King’s I Have A Dream Speech.

Anyway, all of these discussions led to other discussions about Dr. King. Though I’m almost 13, I thought I knew a lot about Dr. King. I learned that I don’t. My uncle was visiting this weekend to repair my computer and he shared with my mother some of the sites which have speeches by Dr. King. I heard and watched some of his speeches against war-against the war in Vietnam. I am against the war in Iraq-any war. I had to leave my country of Cote d’Ivoire because of war. I saw the Vietnam Memorial when I visited Washington, D.C. this past spring. All of those names of the dead soldiers made me so sad. I am so proud of Dr. King and of how he took a stand. Dr. King quotes the Italian poet Dante in one of his speeches.

The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in times of great moral crises maintain their neutrality.- Dante

Please listen to a part of some of Dr. King's speeches on war.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92-r05TH9qs&feature=related

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I am thrilled to read your blog and your opinion about the speeches from the DNC. I heard John Lewis say that he thought he had cried all his tears but Obama's speech on the anniversary of Dr. King's, reminded him of all those who fought for Civil Rights and how so many suffered greatly in doing so. You are remarkable for your interest in learning more history and fortunately with the resources on the internet, you have the world at your fingertips.
MS Sorrentino