Now, as a nation, we don't promise equal outcomes, but we were founded on the idea everybody should have an equal opportunity to succeed. No matter who you are, what you look like, where you come from, you can make it. That's an essential promise of America. Where you start should not determine where you end up.

Summary

This quote expresses the principle of equal opportunity in America. While it recognizes that the nation does not guarantee equal outcomes, it emphasizes that everyone should have a fair chance to succeed. It embodies the idea that one's background, appearance, or origins should not limit their potential. The quote highlights the belief that individuals should be able to transcend their starting point and reach higher places in life based on their merit and effort. This promise encapsulates a fundamental aspect of the American identity and aspiration for upward mobility.