The arc of the moral universe bends towards justice, but it doesn’t bend on its own. It bends because we pull it towards justice. And we do that by standing up, speaking out, and marching forward.
Analyse
The speech transcript shows Obama invoking Martin Luther King Jr.’s line about the moral universe and then adding, “It doesn’t bend on its own. It bends because we pull it toward justice, and we do that by standing up, speaking out and marching forward.” The wording in the statement is faithful to the recorded speech.
Achtergrond
Obama spoke at the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery marches, emphasizing the ongoing struggle for civil‑rights and the role of collective action. He referenced King’s famous quote and expanded it to stress active participation in achieving justice.
Samenvatting verdict
The quotation matches Barack Obama’s remarks at the Selma 50th‑anniversary ceremony on March 7 2015.
Geraadpleegde bronnen
— The White House, Office of the Press Secretary – Full transcript of Barack Obama’s Selma 50th Anniversary speech (March 7, 2015)
— The New York Times, “Obama Marks Selma Anniversary, Calls for Continued Activism,” March 7, 2015
— C-SPAN video of the Selma 50th anniversary ceremony, timestamp 12:45–13:20