At today’s inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America, the benediction speech was given by civil rights leader Rev. Jospeh Echols Lowery. The closing moments of his speech were just so perfectly uplifting at a moment like this.
Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around (laughter). When yellow will be mellow (laughter). When the red man can get ahead, man (laughter), and when white will embrace what is right.
Let all those who do justice and love mercy say amen.Audience: Amen!
Rev Lowery: Say amen
Audience: Amen!
Rev. Lowery: and amen.
Audience: Amen! (Cheers, applause.)