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Amanda Harrell
Professor Adrienne Cassel
English 1201 online
25/3/2016
Summary of "Fiftieth Anniversary of March on Washington" Speech by Barack Obama
Barack Obama stands in the same place Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his
speech five decades ago; he reflects and offers ways to improve our countrys current
racial and socioeconomic status.
Obama speaks about how Americans, from all walks of life, came to attend Dr.
Kings speech. He emphasized that Dr. Kings powerful words will be remembered for
ages. He attributes the change that occurred in America, to the forgotten ordinary people,
who struggled and fought with persistence for rights. Obama tells how these ordinary
people carried a spirit of perseverance in the face of their tormentors. He spoke about
how new laws were passed and legislation were changed to give minorities rights and
protection. He proclaimed we have our current fairness and freedom thanks to those same
ordinary people. Obama speaks how the nation needs to work and fight together. He
states that while this country has come far, our work is far from over. We should continue
to fight for these rights even through hard times because weve come so far.
He speaks about how the second goal of Dr. Kings speech was to seek jobs and
economic opportunities for all. He described the American dream as being able to
advance their current standing. He proclaims the current gap between races and the
minority unemployment rate has worsened, not bettered with time. He speaks of the

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many Americans suffering from idle wages, even with profiting corporations. He states
that there remains poverty stricken youth all across America.
Obama discusses how our youth is given inferior education, poor health-care, and is
exposed to violence. Obama discusses how the youth were important to the change then
and now. He advises the youth are not limited by societys framework and arent afraid to
be different. He proclaims that we need to continue to push for rights and he still sees the
spirit we need to change in Americans across the nation.
He proclaims the individuals of this country can move forward and change this country
by coming together as one nation.

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Work Cited
1. Obama, Barack. "The Fiftieth Anniversary of the March on Washington." Lincoln Memorial.
26 August 2016. Speech.