For My Brother: Springsteen's Speach In Philladelphia

Bruce Springsteen spoke to the attendees of an Obama Rally the other day, a speech intended for all Americans. Mr. Springsteen addressed his interpretation of the meaning of the promise of America, something he has written about since the beginning of his career in the early 1970s. Now that he's seeing America in the latter part of the first decade of this century, his words bear a clarity that I find relevant and necessary:

I've spent 35 years writing about America, its people, and the meaning of the American Promise. The Promise that was handed down to us, right here in this city from our founding fathers, with one instruction: Do your best to make these things real: opportunity, equality, social and economic justice, a fair shake for all of our citizens, the American idea, as a positive influence, around the world for a more just and peaceful existence. These are the things that give our lives hope, shape, and meaning. They are the ties that bind us together and give us faith in our contract with one another.

Read the rest here.