Affirmation
Here's the thing: to me, it's not just another stump speech, set to a wee rambling ditty sung by a handful of vaguely familiar faces.
Perhaps I am, despite my howls of protest, just being brainwashed by the cult of personality, but I honestly believe, deep in my soul, that it's bigger than one candidate. Or one party. Or one election.
I hear it as an irrationally exuberant call to action. A rousing reminder that one person can, actually, make a difference. That a few like-minded individuals can link arms and commit hearts and minds to creating positive change in the world.
That's my opinion, anyway. What do you think?
Yes, We Can.
It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation. Yes, we can.
It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail toward freedom. Yes, we can.
It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores, and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness. Yes, we can.
It was the call of workers who organized; women who reached for the ballot; a President who chose the moon as our new frontier; and a King who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the Promised Land.
Yes, we can to justice and equality.
Yes, we can to opportunity and prosperity.
Yes, we can heal this nation.
Yes, we can repair this world.
Yes, we can.
Si, se puede.
We know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change. We want change!
We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics who will only grow louder and more dissonant.
We've been asked to pause for a reality check.
We've been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope. But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.
We want change!
I want change.
The hopes of the little girl who goes to a crumbling school in Dillon are the same as the dreams of the boy who learns on the streets of L.A.; we will remember that there is something happening in America; that we are not as divided as our politics suggest; that we are one people; we are one nation, and together, we will begin the next great chapter in America's story with three words that will ring from coast to coast, from sea to shining sea:
YES.
WE.
CAN.
Perhaps I am, despite my howls of protest, just being brainwashed by the cult of personality, but I honestly believe, deep in my soul, that it's bigger than one candidate. Or one party. Or one election.
I hear it as an irrationally exuberant call to action. A rousing reminder that one person can, actually, make a difference. That a few like-minded individuals can link arms and commit hearts and minds to creating positive change in the world.
That's my opinion, anyway. What do you think?
Yes, We Can.
It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation. Yes, we can.
It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail toward freedom. Yes, we can.
It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores, and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness. Yes, we can.
It was the call of workers who organized; women who reached for the ballot; a President who chose the moon as our new frontier; and a King who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the Promised Land.
Yes, we can to justice and equality.
Yes, we can to opportunity and prosperity.
Yes, we can heal this nation.
Yes, we can repair this world.
Yes, we can.
Si, se puede.
We know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change. We want change!
We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics who will only grow louder and more dissonant.
We've been asked to pause for a reality check.
We've been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope. But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.
We want change!
I want change.
The hopes of the little girl who goes to a crumbling school in Dillon are the same as the dreams of the boy who learns on the streets of L.A.; we will remember that there is something happening in America; that we are not as divided as our politics suggest; that we are one people; we are one nation, and together, we will begin the next great chapter in America's story with three words that will ring from coast to coast, from sea to shining sea:
YES.
WE.
CAN.
posted by mrsf5 at 11:53 AM
5 Comments:
I love the song as art, but I love the speech more. For the reasons you stated: we need to believe that one person matters, otherwise why vote at all.
That's what they want us to think, what they've been telling us for way too long.
Thanks, Franklin!
I'm sending the Saint over to read this post - he'll cry tears of joy.
Have yet to hear a response from Mr. F5, who cast his vote this morning for (could you see this coming?) Hillary.
I'm proud of him for voting his conscience, but it made for an interesting dynamic at the caucus tonight.
In nearly twenty years, I think this was the first time one of us canceled out the other's vote. Huh.
Truth be told my dear Mrs. F5; I will be happy with either of our two fine candidates. I have said before and I will say again, this is a win-win deal for us poor ole Democrats and I will be able to happily support either of these ground-breakig candidates.
ILY.
Mr. F5
Trey, Trey, Trey.
***deep sigh***
I blame this tragedy on you. You and the rest of Hillary's supporters. She won on the shoulders of the uneducated, latinos, women, people over 65...and Trey Franklins.
Sad.
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