President Barack Obama addressed many issues in his speech. He began his discourse with a brief history of slaves as well as the struggle that they had to go through. He also mentioned the civil war and its effects, which lead to his main point, racial tension in America. President Obama stated that this is the minority issue compared to health care, education, and good jobs for every citizen. The people have focused all of their attention on the issue of racial tension, like a black president, and not the main problems. He also addressed that The United States needs to be unified as a country and not split because of race. “There is a lot of…
In 2008 former senator and presidential candidate Barack Obama spoke out on the issue of racial discrimination. In his speech, A More Perfect Union, he took the minute to let the world know about the racial issues that are being ignored and also shares his past experiences of what he has witnessed from his pastor Reverend Jeremiah Wright from one of his given touching on races other than African Americans in which he expressed the distorted view of the country. In his speech he uses rhetorical devices such as allusions, ethos and repetition to persuade and get across to the listeners during his speech. This helps him get his message out to the democratic committee about races having equal rights and also gets voters to vote for him.…
It was March 18, 2008, many watched and listened as one of the most persuasive speeches on U.S. race relations was given by at the time senator, Barrack Obama. This speech was entitled, “A More Perfect Union”, a line taken from the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution, and was given at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, PA. It brought forth the concept that all men were created equally, however to this day we still strive to be treated equally. In one of the most important speeches of his campaign to run for president, Obama was faced with responding to comments made by Reverend Jeremiah Wright about the race relations and foreign policy in the U.S. Obama addressed the subjects of racial tensions, white privilege, and race inequality in the United States, discussing black "anger," white "resentment," as he sought to explain Wright's controversial comments. His response was one of the most memorable speeches in U.S. history.…
On September 5th 2012, former president Bill Clinton stepped on stage to address citizens at the Democratic National Convention and countless other Americans watching from home. Clinton’s speech took place prior to the Republican National Convention, and responds to many of the misleading claims that were made there. Clinton’s clear goal and objective is to inform and educate the American voters as to why he believes Barak Obama should be re-elected as opposed to Governor Romney. In doing this he not only gives the facts, but cements his ethos by referencing his own presidency and letting his record speak for itself on issues such as; jobs, the economy, healthcare, and even the constant bickering between parties.…
With the final primaries of 2016 drawing to a close tonight, where does Hillary, Bernie, and Donald focus their time and energy? How do the results of tonight craft messages and build platforms? Will the parties completely emerge into a general election with both sides relatively unified or will the Democrats remain splintered going into the conventions?…
The 44th president of the United States gave out a speech to the potential voters in the 2008 election. He spoke about equality, relations in the USA, and also responded to Reverend's comments. Reverend's comments appeared as racist and anti-American. It was urgent for the Reverend to save his reputation and campaign. Obama’s main purpose was to get the audience (potential voters) to be a part of a “more perfect union.”…
Colin Powell life is interesting because he was the first African-American Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff. The commencement speech Powell gives at Howard University show his willingness and determination to overcome challenges. Not letting his race put a limitations on what he could or couldn’t do, shows that anyone can do anything and be anyone in this nation. It also shows how times have changed from the past from African Americans being slaves to running president and doing great things. Powell speech showed me in an encouraging way that you don’t have to be big or popular to do great things.…
After closely analyzing the structure of two Presidential Inaugural Addresses made by President Obama and former President George W. Bush, the perspicuous rhetoric of President Obama reigned supreme. Barack Obama delivered his Inaugural Address as the first African American president of the United States. However, he did not dwell on the social and historical significance of his election. Instead he remained humble, focusing on illuminating the social, political, economic, and environmental issues threatening our nation, and establishing himself as a member of the general masses. Implementing a calm, confident, and hopeful tone allowed Obama to reassure the people of his loyalty and determination to improving our country.…
I think that basing this speech off of the United States Constitution helped express the main goal of his speech, which was to motivate Americans to strive for political and social unity. I believe that through writing about his own ancestors and his mixed racial background, Obama allowed Americans to view him as just another citizen and therefore appeal to their hearts. I also thought Obama made an impact on his audience by portraying himself as an extremely religious man through bible quotations and sermon references. All in all, I believe that Barack Obama delivered a beautiful speech that surrounds our country’s patriotism and religious spirit.…
In this study I will be analysing the speech of Barrack Obama, in his Victory Speech and his interview with David Letterman on ‘The Letterman Show’.…
In the 2008 speech titled ‘A More Perfect Union,’ then-senator Barack Obama speaks about the current issues affecting the country. In this forum, Obama discusses the many challenges that were facing the nation heading into the upcoming election. This famous speech would later go on to be called ‘Obama’s speech on Race.’ In a political forum telling stories of racially charged situations, Obama speaks on the need for unity in the nation. While explaining the effects of the racial barriers that exist in communities, he appeals to the American people. Obama does this by addressing the value that they place on being strong as a nation.…
To inspire change is what most speakers strive for. A hope that maybe they’ll be remembered for doing something special is prevalent. I had three speeches to look at that in my mind achieved this goal. I ultimately chose Barack Obama. In the speech, “A More Perfect Union” the speaker Barack Obama argues uniting our country. In my opinion he uses support using personal anecdotes, reference to a well-known event, and appeals better than each of the other writers.…
In the summer of 2004, an aspiring young senator from Illinois was given the keynote spot at the Democratic National Convention. His name was Barack Obama. Obama was greeted by thousands of democratic party delegates who waved signs with his name, and about nine million people watch the convention at home. Obama appealed to the people of the convention as well as many across the country through his emotional address, as he cries out "we are one people". Throughout his address he speaks about national unity, that as the United States of America, we must be unified during times of hardships, as he touches upon the recent terrorist attack of September 11th. He touches upon himself, his American, and his support for the democratic party’s nominee: John Kerry.…
In 2008, the pinnacle of American success and prosperity was beginning to disintegrate. America was in a downward spiral towards corruption, poverty, chaos, and financial instability. Barack Obama delivers an empowering inauguration speech, in 2008, bringing forth that Americans need to unify in order to return America to its rightful and bestowed place. In his speech, Obama utilizes an assuring tone to emphasize unity and the restoration of America also; he alludes to historical instances to convey a sense of legacy within the American people.…
In Obama’s campaign speech presented on January 8th 2008 there are continuous techniques that he uses to persuade the audience to vote for him. He slowly establishes a rapport to create a sense of equality between him and the audience; he does this by using first person plural, such as ‘we’ which is effective because it makes all the people feel united and as if he is directly talking to them as a person. He also uses abstract nouns like ‘hope’ to make an emotional appeal to the American people and to suggest that there is a new start in the future. This is important for him to try and get more people of all ages to vote and see his point of view. Obama also repeats ‘Yes We Can’ nine times, by using the phrase ‘yes we can’ he inspires people to have trust and hope in Obama to lead them to a better future and to declare that he can help America. He uses a historical reference in one of his lines ‘it was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation’ this is a reference to the beginning of America when everyone was equal.…