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It is on your lips and in your heart. But the anger is real; it is powerful; and to simply wish it away, to condemn it without understanding its roots, only serves to widen the chasm of misunderstanding that exists between the races. It's that he spoke as if our society was static; as if no progress has been made; as if this country - a country that has made it possible for one of his own members to run for the highest office in the land and build a coalition of white and black; Latino and Asian, rich and poor, young and old - is still irrevocably bound to a tragic past. We are the party of Kennedy. And that is why we are providing more than $2.8 billion to help Afghans develop their economy and deliver services that people depend upon. Around the world, we can turn dialogue into Interfaith service, so bridges between peoples lead to action - whether it is combating malaria in Africa, or providing relief after a natural disaster.
I wanted to be part of something larger. We the people, in order to form a more perfect union." In South Carolina, where the Confederate Flag still flies, we built a powerful coalition of African Americans and white Americans. For while Senator McCain was turning his sights to Iraq just days after 9/11, I stood up and opposed this war, knowing that it would distract us from the real threats we face. They have fought in our wars, served in government, stood for civil rights, started businesses, taught at our Universities, excelled in our sports arenas, won Nobel Prizes, built our tallest building, and lit the Olympic Torch. The dream of opportunity for all people has not come true for everyone in America, but its promise exists for all who come to our shores - that includes nearly seven million American Muslims in our country today who enjoy incomes and education that are higher than average.
That we can participate in the political process without fear of retribution, and that our votes will be counted at least, most of the time. The man I met more than twenty years ago is a man who helped introduce me to my Christian faith, a man who spoke to me about our obligations to love one another; to care for the sick and lift up the poor. In Washington, they call this the Ownership Society, but what it really means is - you're on your own.
"If you're organizing churches," they said, "it might be helpful if you went to church once in a while." And I thought, "Well, I guess that makes sense." But as Americans, we also know that this is a nation of laws, and we cannot have those laws broken when more than 2,000 people cross our borders illegally every day. In fact, it isn't even past." We do not need to recite here the history of racial injustice in this country. That's the promise we need to keep. Denying that fact is baseless, ignorant, and hateful.
After the war, they studied on the G.I. At every opportunity, they've told evangelical Christians that Democrats disrespect their values and dislike their Church, while suggesting to the rest of the country that religious Americans care only about issues like abortion and gay marriage; school prayer and intelligent design. But race is an issue that I believe this nation cannot afford to ignore right now. For eighteen long months, you have stood up, one by one, and said enough to the politics of the past. And we will welcome all elected, peaceful governments - provided they govern with respect for all their people.
Thank you.