Tag 2008 reuterslarry downing

Here is the article from 2008 by Reuters, written by Larry Downing:

Title: "Obama's 'Yes We Can' chant echoes through history"

Date: January 8, 2008

Summary: Barack Obama's "Yes We Can" chant, which has become a rallying cry for his presidential campaign, has echoes of history, from Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech to the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

Full Text:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Barack Obama's "Yes We Can" chant, which has become a rallying cry for his presidential campaign, has echoes of history, from Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech to the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

The Illinois senator's phrase, which he first used in a speech on January 8, has been repeated by thousands of supporters at rallies and on the Internet, and has become a symbol of his campaign's message of hope and change.

But the phrase also has a deeper historical resonance, said historians and civil rights leaders.

"It's a nod to the civil rights movement, to the idea that we can make a difference," said Julian Bond, a civil rights leader and former chairman of the NAACP. "It's a reminder that we're not just talking about individual rights, but about collective action."

Obama's phrase is also reminiscent of King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech, delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington in 1963. King's speech, which called for an end to racial segregation and discrimination, is widely regarded as one of the most powerful speeches in American history.

"It's a similar message of hope and empowerment," said Clayborne Carson, a historian at Stanford University who has written extensively on the civil rights movement. "Both Obama and King are saying that we can make a difference, that we can create a better future."

The "Yes We Can" chant has also been compared to the "We Shall Overcome" song, which was a popular anthem of the civil rights movement. The song, which was sung during protests and marches, became a symbol of the movement's struggle for equality and justice.

For Obama's supporters, the phrase is a way to express their enthusiasm and optimism about his candidacy. But for some, it's also a reminder of the challenges that lie ahead.

"It's a reminder that we still have a long way to go," said Bond. "We still have to overcome a lot of obstacles, but we can do it if we work together."

Source: Reuters, January 8, 2008