Barack Obama's “A More Perfect Union” speech, delivered on the fiftieth anniversary of Martin Luther King's “I Have a Dream” speech, was at once a tribute to King's vision of a color-blind society, as well as an update of sorts on the reality of that vision in modern times and Obama's ideas for progress in the future. Both Obama and King begin their speeches on racial inequality by summarizing several key pieces of legislation written to serve as guidelines for protecting the rights of the American people and signed by important historical figures. Martin Luther King Jr. while standing in front of the Lincoln Memorial refers to the Emancipation Proclamation, signed by Abraham Lincoln, in which slavery was abolished. In his book, King explains: “In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongdoing. Let us not try to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must always conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence." Obama firmly follows the advice offered by King and further perpetuates that anger divides and does not help find resolution: “Anger is not always productive; indeed, it too often diverts attention from the solution of real problems; it prevents us from openly addressing our complicity in our condition… But the anger is real; it is powerful; and simply desiring it, condemning it without understanding its roots, only serves to widen the abyss of misunderstanding that exists between brothers. We are our brother's keeper, Scripture tells us. Let us be our sister's keepers. Let us find that common interest we all have in each other and let our politics reflect that spirit too.” Obama reiterates that we have a choice in how to handle race in this country. “We cannot accept a policy that generates division, conflict and cynicism. We cannot face the race just as a show." Obama keeps repeating the phrase “this time we want to talk” similar to King's use of “I have a dream” and “let freedom ring.” It is only towards the end of his speech that Obama states his ideal of change: “I wouldn't be running for president if I didn't believe with all my heart that this is what the vast majority of Americans want for this country. This union may never be perfect, but generation after generation has proven that it can always be perfected. And today, whenever I feel doubtful or cynical about this possibility, what gives me the most hope is the next generation; the young people whose attitudes, beliefs and openness to change have already made history in this election.” However, it was by becoming president that Obama himself managed to do so