to vindicate the idea of America than plain and humble people, unsung, the downtrodden,
the dreamers not of high station, not born to wealth or privilege, not of one religious
tradition but many coming together to shape their country's course.
What greater expression of faith in the American experiment than this?
What greater form of patriotism is there than the belief that America is not yet finished,
that we are strong enough to be self-critical, that each successive generation can look upon
our imperfections and decide that it is in our power to remake this nation to more closely
align with our highest ideals?
That's why Selma's not some outlier in the American experience.
That's why it's not a museum or a static monument to behold from a distance.
It is instead the manifestation of a creed written into our founding documents.
We the people, in order to form a more perfect union, we hold these truths to be self-evident,
that all men are created equal.