Obama’s got a brilliant mind and a beautiful speaking voice, and he used both to full effect yesterday as he engaged with his fellow citizens on a subject few others in public life are willing, or able, to speak forthrightly about under any circumstances, much less when their own political fortunes are at stake. In a speech he wrote by himself, he was fearless in coming forward and pointing straight at the racial divide, challenging all of us to recognize how very separate Black and White America all still are, while offering the hope that we can all yet embrace our common humanity and our allegiance to our nation, throw our judgements aside, and work together for true change.

And the pure beauty is that he did it with straightforward, real talk. No one had to red between the lines. It was a speech unlike any other I’ve heard in my lifetime, and one that has the power to truly evolve us.

Here’s to hope. Here’s to change.

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