Here is the Obama MLK Speech video and transcript from Sun. Jan. 17, 2010 at Vermont Avenue Baptist Church in commemoration of Martin Luther King Day. President Barack Obama in his remarks noted that MLK himself had spoken in 1956 at the historic church in Washington, DC (originally known as Fifth Baptist Church, founded in 1866 by former slaves). Accompanying the President at the church service were First Lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia.

During his address, Obama spoke of the legacy of Dr. King saying: “We gather here on the Sabbath at a time of extreme difficulty for our nation and the world. We are not here just to ask the Lord for his blessing. We’re also here to call on the memory of one of his servants, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.”

He evoked the Civil Rights era’s “Moses” generation and called upon the contemporary generation, which he termed the “Joshua” generation urging people to “get back to basics”. He elaborated, saying: “Here we are more than a half century later, once again facing the challenges of a new age? once again marching toward an unknown new future,” Obama said. “We’ve inherited the progress of unjust laws which are now overturned? We’ve enjoyed the fruits of prejudice and bigotry being lifted?. From human hearts.”

Towards the end of the address, he spoke personally, saying: “Folks ask me sometimes, ‘Why do you look so calm?’ “I have a confession to make here. There are times when I am not so calm? There are times when the words spoken about me hurt. There are times when the barbs hurt? During that time it is faith that brings me calm.”

Here is the full Obama MLK speech transcript text from Sun. Jan. 17, 2010. Video is below.

A recap is here: Obama appears at District church where King spoke and Obama preaches faith and calm

YouTube Link

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Obama MLK Speech Video 1-17-10: Address at Vermont Avenue Baptist Church


transcript