![]() Standing at the Lincoln Memorial, I thought of these words. It also seems important to listen to those among us whose words call us to embrace love rather than hate, unity rather than discord, diversity rather than uniformity, healing rather than fracture, peace rather than war.įor people of faith, it also is important to return to the words of our sacred texts. In this month when we celebrate our presidents and honor Black History, it seems especially important to hear again the words of these latter-day prophets. Lincoln called a broken nation to the important and difficult work of healing. King named the evil to be conquered and the national creed that was violated by that evil. Hatred finds expression and ready acceptance.Īs always, words matter, because words affirm our values, and words inspire action. The values of our democracy are under assault. Some fear that the foundations of our civil society are shaking. We live today in a time of deep division and polarization. “With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.” The closing words of the Second Inaugural always ring clear for me. Lincoln’s most memorable speeches, the Gettysburg Address and the second Inaugural Address. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up, live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.’”Įtched on the walls of the Lincoln Memorial are the words of two of Mr. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. “I say to you today, my friends … even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. delivered one of the most memorable speeches of all time. Crowds have gathered for the inaugurations of presidents. I thought about all that has happened in this space. Farther ahead is the World War II Memorial, then the Washington Monument, and in the distance the Capitol. Ahead just to the left is the Vietnam Memorial. From that vantage point, one can see the entire length of the mall. ![]() I walked toward the Lincoln Memorial and ultimately up the steps to the statue of Mr. People were enjoying the day in a setting surrounded by monuments to our shared history, with all of its pain and glory, all of its courage and sacrifice. ![]() There were no formal activities on this early summer afternoon, but the atmosphere was festive. The weather was glorious, and the mall was filled with people – people of all ages and races, reflecting the full diversity of our great nation. Last summer I found myself in Washington, D.C., on the National Mall, that magnificent two miles of parkland stretching from the Lincoln Memorial to the U.S. ![]()
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