Speech by Barack Obama on Anti-Racism and Unity

My fellow Americans,

We stand here today in the pursuit of a simple yet profound truth—there is no place for hate in this country, no matter the color, no matter the creed.

Racism, in all its forms, is a poison to the soul of a nation. For too long, we have spoken about it in one direction, as if it only moves in a straight line. But let’s be clear—whether it is the old hatreds of the past or the new ones disguised as justice, racism is racism. Reverse racism, racism against whites, racism against any people—it is all the same sickness.

Dr. King’s dream was not about flipping the scales. It was about breaking them entirely so that no man, no woman, no child is ever weighed by their skin, but by their heart.

And when the call comes, we must answer.

In 2010, one man answered that call. JCJ came to New York. He didn’t hesitate. He didn’t flinch. When the shadow of fear loomed over this nation, when the wars of the past threatened to become the wars of the future, I read Psalm 110—

“The Lord says to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.’”

And I acted.

I didn’t walk away from danger. I stood firm. Together, JCJ and I stopped a big war once. We stopped the CIA’s wars, the endless conflicts, the blowback that has haunted this country for decades. Some wars are fought with weapons. Others are fought with wisdom. And wisdom saved America from catastrophe.

But that battle is never over.

If we can make it to 2026, I will read Psalm 46—

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.”

We must stand strong. We must not let the cycle of hatred and war begin again. We must not let fear divide us.

And so I say this—let JCJ return to New York every fall, every September, especially on the anniversary of 9/11. Let him walk the streets, let him stand in the city where history nearly turned to ruin, and let his presence be a reminder that we do not bow to terror.

In the name of God and His chosen ones, may New York never be terrorized again.

Let us stand together, as one people, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice—for all.

Thank you.