Oprah Winfrey addresses Democratic National Convention | full video

Summary

Oprah Winfrey delivers an impassioned speech at the Democratic National Convention, urging Americans to vote for Kamala Harris as the next president. She emphasizes the importance of freedom, unity, and the ongoing struggle for justice. Oprah highlights stories of individuals who have faced adversity and calls for a future built on decency, respect, and the American values of inclusion and optimism.

Takeaways

• 🔥 Oprah's speech was a call to action, urging the audience to elect Kamala Harris as the next president.
• 🗣️ Freedom was highlighted as a core theme, with a critique of those who seek to divide and conquer.
• 🌎 She emphasized the importance of unity and standing together against those who would suppress freedom.
• 📚 Oprah criticized the notion that books are dangerous and guns are safe, reflecting a stance on education and gun control.
• 🙏 She shared personal experiences of witnessing and experiencing racism, sexism, and income inequality.
• 👥 Oprah praised the spirit of Americans who help each other despite political differences.
• 🏠 She used the metaphor of a house fire to illustrate the instinct to help others in need, regardless of their background.
• 💔 The speech touched on the personal stories of individuals affected by restrictive abortion laws.
• 👩‍🎓 Oprah honored Tessy Provost Williams, a pioneer in school integration, and drew a parallel to Kamala Harris's background.
• 🗳️ She made a direct appeal to independent voters, emphasizing the importance of voting values and character.
• 🌟 The speech concluded with a passionate call for choosing freedom, truth, honor, and joy as the best of America.

Q & A

Who is being referred to as the next president of the United States in the script?

Kamala Harris is being referred to as the next president of the United States.

What theme is the speaker addressing in the script?

The speaker is addressing the theme of 'Freedom' in the script.

What does the speaker mean by 'Life's bullies'?

The speaker refers to 'Life's bullies' as those who seek to divide and conquer, using fear and intimidation to rule over others.

What message is conveyed by the quote from Congressman John Lewis?

The quote from Congressman John Lewis emphasizes that despite different backgrounds, all Americans are in the same boat and should stand together.

What does the speaker mean when they say 'America is an ongoing project'?

The speaker implies that America's ideals and values are continually evolving and require constant commitment and effort from its citizens.

Why does the speaker mention the stories of Amanda, Josh, Caitlyn, and Hatley?

The speaker mentions these individuals to highlight the importance of personal autonomy, particularly regarding reproductive rights, and to prevent others from experiencing similar hardships.

Who is Tessy Provost Williams and why is her story significant?

Tessy Provost Williams was one of the first black students to integrate a previously all-white school in New Orleans in 1954. Her story is significant as it represents the struggle for racial integration and civil rights in America.

What does the speaker mean by 'the best of America'?

The speaker refers to 'the best of America' as the collective spirit of unity, resilience, and the pursuit of justice and freedom, exemplified by individuals like Tessy Provost Williams.

Why does the speaker emphasize voting as 'the best of America'?

The speaker emphasizes voting as 'the best of America' because it represents the democratic process and the power of citizens to shape their country's future.

What does the speaker mean by choosing 'the sweet promise of tomorrow over the bitter return to yesterday'?

The speaker encourages choosing progress and hope for the future over regression to past injustices and failures.

What is the main call to action for the audience at the end of the script?

The main call to action is for the audience to choose Kamala Harris as the next president, embodying values of freedom, common sense, and the best of America.

Outlines

00:00

🔥 Fired Up for Change and Freedom

The speaker reflects on the inspiring energy of the Obamas and rallies the audience to support Kamala Harris for president. They stress the importance of freedom in America and warn against forces that seek to divide and rule. The speaker invokes the words of John Lewis, reminding everyone that despite differences, Americans are all in the same boat. The work of democracy is never done, and standing up to bullies is crucial. The speaker shares personal experiences of racism and division but praises Americans' willingness to help one another in times of need.

05:05

🗣️ Voices of Pain and the Fight for Autonomy

The speaker highlights the bravery of individuals who have shared painful personal experiences of rape, incest, and medical emergencies related to abortion. These stories are shared to prevent similar suffering for others. The speaker emphasizes that control over one’s body is essential for the American Dream. Those fighting to protect these rights are called 'the New Freedom Fighters' and are praised as the best of America. The speech also pays tribute to civil rights pioneer Tessy Provost Williams and the barriers she broke, connecting her story to Kamala Harris and her path to leadership.

10:05

🇺🇸 The Best of America: Voting, Values, and Leadership

The speaker calls on Americans to exercise their right to vote, emphasizing that this election is about values, character, and the future. They criticize a certain candidate's claims about voting and express pride in voting repeatedly as an American value. The speaker urges independents and undecided voters to vote based on decency, respect, and common sense. They highlight Kamala Harris and Tim Walz as candidates who embody these qualities and stress the importance of choosing freedom, optimism, and inclusion for the future of America.

15:10

🗣️ Reflecting on Oprah's Powerful Speech

The post-speech analysis praises Oprah's rousing call for choosing freedom, common sense, and values in the face of division. The analysts highlight Oprah's concern for America's polarization and her appeal to independent voters. They also note the historical significance of Tessy Provost Williams and Oprah’s connection to Kamala Harris’ journey. The discussion touches on the broader message of integrity, character, and the shared history that ties past struggles to present-day leadership challenges in America.

Keywords

💡Freedom

Freedom is the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. In the context of the video, it is a central theme that encapsulates the idea of liberty and autonomy, particularly in the realm of personal choices and rights. The speaker emphasizes the importance of freedom by contrasting it with the fear-mongering and divisive tactics of certain political factions. The script uses the term to rally support for policies that protect individual liberties, such as the right to choose one's own path in life.

💡Democracy

Democracy refers to a system of government where power is vested in the people, who exercise it by electing representatives. The video underscores the importance of democracy by highlighting the need for active participation in the democratic process, such as voting and standing up to 'life's bullies.' The script connects the concept of democracy to the ongoing project of America, where every individual has a role to play in shaping the nation's future.

💡Conquer

To conquer means to defeat completely in a battle or conflict. In the transcript, the term is used metaphorically to describe the inability to defeat a united populace. The speaker asserts that when people stand together, they are invincible, emphasizing the strength of unity in the face of attempts to divide and control.

💡Racism

Racism is the discrimination against individuals or groups on the basis of their race or ethnicity. The script mentions racism as one of the social ills that the speaker has witnessed and experienced. It is used to illustrate the ongoing struggle for equality and justice in America, as well as to highlight the progress that has been made despite such challenges.

💡Sexism

Sexism is discrimination or prejudice based on a person's sex or gender. Similar to racism, sexism is mentioned to emphasize the various forms of inequality that exist in society. The video uses this term to call for a more inclusive and equitable society where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.

💡Inequality

Inequality refers to the unequal treatment or opportunity between different social groups or individuals. The script uses the term to describe the disparities in society, such as economic disparities. It is used to highlight the need for social justice and to call for action to address these disparities.

💡Optimism

Optimism is the hope and belief that things will get better. The video contrasts optimism with cynicism, urging viewers to choose a positive outlook for the future. Optimism is presented as a driving force for progress and a rejection of the pessimistic view that things cannot improve.

💡Cynicism

Cynicism is a general distrust of people's motives, often assuming the worst of human nature. In the script, cynicism is portrayed as a negative force that can hinder progress and unity. The speaker encourages the audience to reject cynicism in favor of a more hopeful and positive approach to life and societal issues.

💡Inclusion

Inclusion is the act of including or the state of being included within a group or structure. The video promotes inclusion as a value, encouraging the audience to embrace diversity and ensure that everyone has a place and a voice. It is presented as an alternative to exclusionary practices that marginalize certain groups.

💡Retribution

Retribution is the act of giving an appropriate reward or punishment for a good or bad action. The script uses the term to describe a negative approach to conflict resolution, suggesting that it is better to focus on unity and inclusion rather than seeking revenge or punishment.

💡Common Sense

Common Sense refers to practical judgment that is based on a simple perception of the situation or facts. In the video, common sense is equated with rational and reasonable decision-making. The speaker calls for voters to use their common sense when choosing leaders, implying that they should vote for those who demonstrate decency, respect, and practicality.

Highlights

Oprah's call to elect Kamala Harris as the next president of the United States

Emphasizing the theme of freedom and unity against those who seek to divide

The importance of standing up to life's bullies and the ongoing project of America

John Lewis's quote about being in the same boat, signifying collective progress

Oprah's personal experiences witnessing racism, sexism, and income inequality

The portrayal of Americans' willingness to help each other despite political differences

The story of Tessy Provost Williams, a pioneer in school integration

Highlighting the new freedom fighters battling for reproductive rights

The connection between Tessy Provost Williams and Kamala Harris's school integration

The election is about choices and the future we want for America

Oprah's status as a registered independent and the importance of voting values

The appeal to independent voters to consider values and character in leadership

The story of Amanda, Josh, and Caitlyn sharing their personal struggles

The call to choose decency, respect, and common sense in 2024

The message of choosing optimism, inclusion, and the promise of tomorrow

Oprah's final call to choose freedom because it represents the best of America

Transcripts

[Applause]

good evening

everybody who says you can't go home

again after watching the Obamas last

night that was some epic fire wasn't it

some epic

fire we're now so fired up we can't wait

to leave here and do

something and what we're going to do is

elect commo Harris as the next president

of the United

States I am so honored to have been

asked to speak on on tonight's theme

about what matters most to me to you and

all of us Americans

Freedom there are people who want you to

see our country as a nation of us

against them people who want to scare

you who want to rule you people who'd

have you believe that books are

dangerous

and assault rifles are

safe that there's a right way to worship

and a wrong way to

love people who seek first to divide and

then to conquer but here's the thing

when we stand together it is impossible

to conquer us

in the words of an extraordinary

American the late Congressman John

Lewis he said no matter what ship our

ancestors arrived on we are all in the

same boat

now Congressman Lewis knew very

well how far this country has come

because he was one of the brilliant

Americans who helped to get us where we

are

but he also knew that the work is not

done the work will never be done because

Freedom isn't free America is an ongoing

project it requires commitment it

requires being open to the hard work and

the heart work of democracy and every

now and then it requires standing up to

Life's bullies

I know

this I've lived in

Mississippi in

Tennessee in Wisconsin Maryland Indiana

Florida Hawaii Colorado California

and

California and Sweet Home Chicago

Illinois

I have actually traveled this country

from the Redwood Forest love those

redwoods to The Gulfstream Waters I've

seen racism and sexism and income

inequality and division I've not only

seen it at times I've been on the

receiving end of it but more often than

not what I've witnessed and exper

experienced are human beings both

conservative and liberal who may not

agree with each other but who'd still

help you in a heartbeat if you were in

trouble these are the people who make me

proud to say that I am an

American they are the best of America

and despite what some would have you

think

we are not so different from our

neighbors when a house is on fire we

don't ask about the homeowner's race or

religion we don't wonder who their

partner is or how they voted no we just

try to do the best we can to save them

and if the place place happens to belong

to a childless cat lady

well we try to get that cat out

too cuz we are a country of people who

work hard for the money we wish our

brothers and sisters well and we pray

for peace we know all the old tricks and

tropes that are designed to distract us

from what actually matters matters but

we are Beyond ridiculous tweets and lies

and Foolery these are complicated times

people and they require adult

conversation and I welcome those

conversations because civilized debate

is vital to democracy and it is the best

of America

now over the last couple of nights we

have all seen brave people walk onto the

stage and share their most private pain

Amanda and Josh Caitlyn Hatley they told

us their stories of rape and incest and

near-death experiences from having the

state deny them the abortion that their

doctor explained was medically necessary

and they've told us these things for one

reason and that is to keep what happened

to them from happening to anybody else

because if you do not have autonomy over

this over

this if you cannot control when and how

you choose to bring your children into

this world and how they are raised and

supported there is no American Dream

the women and men who are battling to

keep us from going back to a time of

desperation and shame and Stone Cold

fear they are the New Freedom Fighters

and make no mistake they are the best of

America I want to talk now about

somebody who's not with us tonight Tessy

privos Williams was born in New Orleans

not long after the Supreme Court rule

that segregated Public Schools were

unconstitutional that was in 1954 same

year I was born but I didn't have to

head to first grade at the all-white

McDonna 19 school with a US Marshall by

my side like Tessy did and when I got to

school the building wasn't

empty like it was for Tessy you see

rather than allowing Madonna to be in

integrated parents pull their kids out

of the

school leaving only Tessy and two other

little black girls Gail etan and Leona

Tate to sit in a classroom with the

windows papered over to block snipers

from attacking their six-year-old

bodies Tessy passed away 6 weeks

ago and I tell this story to honor her

tonight because

she she like Ruby Bridges and her

friends

Leona and

Gail the New Orleans four they were

called they broke barriers and they paid

dearly for it but it was the grace and

guts

and courage of women like Tessy Pros

Williams that paved the way for another

young girl who nine years later became

part of the second class to integrate

the public schools in Berkeley

California and it seems to

me that at school and at home somebody

did a beautiful job of showing this

young girl how to challenge the people

at the top and empower the people at the

bottom they showed her how to look at

the world and see not just what is but

what can be they instilled in her a

passion for justice and freedom and the

Glorious fighting Spirit necessary to

pursue that passion and soon and very

soon soon and very soon we're going to

be teaching our daughters and sons about

how this child of an Indian mother and a

Jamaican father two idealistic energetic

immigrants

immigrants how this

child grew up to become the 47th

president of the United States

that is the best of

America you know you

know let me tell you this this election

isn't about us and them it's about you

and me and what we want our futures to

look like there are choices to be made

when we cast our

ballot now there's a certain candidate

says if we just go to the polls this one

time that we'll never have to do it

again well you know what you're looking

at a registered independent who's proud

to vote again and again and again

because I'm an American and that's what

Americans do

voting is the best of

America and I have always since I was

eligible to vote I've always voted my

values and that is what is needed in

this election now more than ever so I'm

calling on all you

Independents and all you undecided

you know this is

true you know I'm telling you the truth

that values and character matter most of

all in leadership and in

life and more than

anything you know this is true that

decency and respect are on the ballot in

2024 and and just plain Common

Sense Common Sense tells you that kamla

Harris and Tim walz can give us decency

and respect they're the ones that give

it to us

so we are Americans

we are Americans let us choose loyalty

to the Constitution over loyalty to any

individual because because that's the

best of

America and let us choose optimism over

cynicism because that's the best of

America and let us choose inclusion over

retribution let us choose Common Sense

over none

sense because that's the best of

America and let us choose the sweet

promise of Tomorrow over the bitter

return to

yesterday we won't go

back we won't be set back pushed back

bullied back kicked back we're not going

back

not going

back we're not going back

so let us choose let us choose truth let

us choose honor and let us choose Joy

because that's the best of

America but more than anything else let

us choose Freedom

why because that's the best of America

we're all Americans and together let's

all choose Kamala

haris thank you Chicago thank you

there is only one as you say Gail there

is only one wouldn't you say that that

was uniquely

Oprah it was absolutely and arousing in

terms of challenging people to choose

Freedom as she said to choose Common

Sense over nonsense that made being one

of my favorite lines and I also like the

child's cat ladies because she also said

we might go no we would go back and get

the cat too I get the point that she was

making there I mean she has been very

troubled by how polarized and how

divided we are and I think what she

really wanted to do was ask people to

really think really think and what's at

stake here Integrity your values your

character all of that really matters I

don't know Gail 6 years ago Oprah gave

this rout speech at the Golden Globes

and I called you up and I said people

are asking her to run for

president there's always been talk

about I also thought it was important

that F now and go back home I thought it

was interesting that too that she made

the point that she's a registered

independent you know and that values and

character matter most of all this was

also an appeal this was not an appeal to

the Democratic base this was appeal to

all those in some ways it was but also

to these independent voters whom perhaps

have not decided or maybe uncomfortable

you know and it's interesting when she

was writing the speech at first she had

registered independent when she is and

then she has voted for people from both

parties but she thought I don't want to

say that at the Democratic Convention I

don't want to say that also bringing in

the history of Tessy Provost Williams I

didn't know that story did you John I'd

never heard of her before I mean it's

I'd never heard of her before uh that's

where uh you know that's a very serious

message about America's past and uh

and drawing that connection to kamla

Harris integrating schools in Berkeley

now we've got Governor West Moore of

Maryland let's listen in of three

football

fields slammed into