In the lead up to the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago this week, many may be wondering what the words carved into the exterior of the building say.
The words, that also serve as a lookout point for visitors of the center to the South and West Sides of Chicago, are from a 2015 speech given by President Barack Obama that marked the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, marches, according to an explanation from Dr. Louise Bernard, Director of the Museum of the Obama Presidential Center, on the center’s website.
The quote reads: “You are America. Unconstrained by habit and convention. Unencumbered by what is, ready to seize what ought to be. For everywhere in this country, there are first steps to be taken, there is new ground to cover, there are more bridges to be crossed. America is not the project of any one person. The single most powerful word in our democracy is the word ‘We.’ ‘We The People.’ ‘We Shall Overcome.’ ‘Yes We Can.’ That word is owned by no one. It belongs to everyone. Oh, what a glorious task we are given to continually try to improve this great nation of ours.”
Bernard said the quote also “mirrors the narrative” of the museum at the center.
“The Museum will focus on the story of the Obama administration. But it is a story that’s also deeply rooted in this broader, nuanced contextual history, where moments like Selma form the building blocks of American democracy making possible the election of America’s first Black President,” Bernard said. “The exterior showcases one of the themes of this museum: the power of words.”
The Obamas have said they hope the words spark inspiration in Chicagoans who live around and visit the center.
“When young people from my old neighborhood on the South Side see the words “You are America” on the exterior of the Obama Presidential Center, I hope they believe it. Because they matter. They belong. And they have the power to shape this country for the better,” Michelle Obama said on social media when the words were unveiled in 2021.
The grand opening ceremony for the center is set to take place on Thursday, one day before it opens to the public.
Though tickets for the grand opening event are already sold out, though those hoping to still watch the event can catch it on a live stream offered by NBC Chicago.
NBC Chicago will offer a live feed of the festivities from 8-10:30 a.m. on the NBC Chicago 24/7 streaming channel and our app. Beginning at 10:30 a.m., coverage will appear on television as well, continuing through 1 p.m.
Bruce Springsteen, Christina Aguilera and John Legend are among a stacked lineup of award-winning artists set to perform Thursday at the grand opening.
This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.
Hence then, the article about what do the words on the outside of the obama center say what to know was published today ( ) and is available on NBC Chicago ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( What do the words on the outside of the Obama Center say? What to know )
Also on site :