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John Kerry understands the ideals of community, faith, and service because they've defined his life. His values - and his record - affirm what is best in us. It's an idea that's often forgotten or dismissed in cynical times. We can play Reverend Wright's sermons on every channel, every day and talk about them from now until the election, and make the only question in this campaign whether or not the American people think that I somehow believe or sympathize with his most offensive words. And fault lines must be closed among Muslims as well, as the divisions between Sunni and Shia have led to tragic violence, particularly in Iraq.
We can tackle race only as spectacle - as we did in the OJ trial - or in the wake of tragedy, as we did in the aftermath of Katrina - or as fodder for the nightly news. So let there be no doubt: Islam is a part of America. Too many tears have flowed.
And if we walk away now, if we simply retreat into our respective corners, we will never be able to come together and solve challenges like health care, or education, or the need to find good jobs for every American. What's remarkable is not how many failed in the face of discrimination, but rather how many men and women overcame the odds; how many were able to make a way out of no way for those like me who would come after them. That is one option.
Back home, my grandmother raised their baby and went to work on a bomber assembly line. It is that fundamental belief, it is that fundamental belief, I am my brother's keeper, I am my sister's keeper that makes this country work. We can recognize the truth that's at the heart of the UCC: that the conversation is not over; that our roles are not defined; that through ancient texts and modern voices, God is still speaking, challenging us to change not just our own lives, but the world around us. No single speech can eradicate years of mistrust, nor can I answer in the time that I have all the complex questions that brought us to this point. In Ankara, I made clear that America is not - and never will be - at war with Islam. Six million Jews were killed - more than the entire Jewish population of Israel today.
Like other black churches, Trinity's services are full of raucous laughter and sometimes bawdy humor. On November 4th, we must stand up and say: "Eight is enough."
Thank you. And may God's peace be upon you.