Racism has been an important issue that plays a huge role in today’s society. In Roy Peter Clark’s article “Why it worked”, he expressed his views on Barack Obama’s speech “A More Perfect Union”. Also comparing it to Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. In Obama’s speech he discussed the constitution and racial segregation in America, and the comments made by Reverend J. Wright, his former pastor. He also tells a little about his racial background.
In the 1960’s during the era of the Civil Rights movement, America had been divided by the voting rights that were not given to the African Americans. Although, a decade ago the African Americans had been freed from slavery, but they were still not considered “equal” because they weren't able to vote. The discrimination in the area even had political leaders affected, therefore many of those political leaders during that time attempted to put an end to the several agonizing events going on. Lyndon B Johnson, a white persistent president speaks out to the lawmakers using compassionate encouraging appeals about voting for Civil Rights, in order to unify the nation “to build a new community”. President Johnson utilizes many devices in his speech such as anaphora, emotional appeals, and
Americans have lost their lives for centuries in exchange for our nation’s freedom, but is every citizen really free? President Lyndon B. Johnson addressed congress following a police beat down during a peaceful protest in Selma, Alabama. The protest led by Martin Luther King became a turning point in American history; attacks on African American’s at Selma sparked reason in the eyes of many. Johnson used his address to Congress as a call to action, his goal was to ensure freedom and equality for all citizens; they shall not face persecution for the color of their skin. “We Shall Overcome” suggests that the text focuses on the constitutionality of the police beat down in Selma, Alabama and the concern of how our nation will overcome the issues of racism.
Although slavery was declared over after the passing of the thirteenth amendment, African Americans were not being treated with the respect or equality they deserved. Socially, politically and economically, African American people were not being given equal opportunities as white people. They had certain laws directed at them, which held them back from being equal to their white peers. They also had certain requirements, making it difficult for many African Americans to participate in the opportunity to vote for government leaders. Although they were freed from slavery, there was still a long way to go for equality through America’s reconstruction plan.
At the beginning of his speech, he conveys emotion through telling his own story and putting the audience in his shoes. He states “On the one hand he is born in the shadow of the stars and stripes and he is assured it represents a nation which has never lost a war. He pledges allegiance to that flag which guarantees "liberty and justice for all. " He is part of a country in which anyone can become President, and so forth”. This shows the audience how African American children feel when living in a country made on the premise of equality, but feeling anything but equal to their Caucasian peers.
Rhetorical Comparison While campaigning for president in March of 2008, Barack Obama delivered a speech entitled, A More Perfect Union. This was his opportunity to address race and religion in America, mainly due to the controversy concerning his Muslim and African American background. In order to gain momentum and achieve credibility, or ethos, as a presidential candidate, President Obama was indirectly forced to assert his beliefs and define the values that the multitude of America had questioned. This is not, however, the first time a presidential candidate has been drawn into this sort of situation. In the past, other candidates have had to justify their moral and personal characters for the sake of establishing credibility and earning
Martin Luther King then lead his followers to a peaceful march, a protest for equal rights, that landed them on a historical bridge. This march helped encourage the voting rights act, and to help the civil rights keep moving forward. Thesis: In his speech, Obama establishes a rhetorical situation with his of exigence, audience, purpose, and different rhetorical appeals and devices.
Feel the Bern “Finally, let us understand that when we stand together, we will always win. When men and women stand together for justice, we win. When black, white and Hispanic people stand together for justice, we win” (Bernie Sanders Quotes). For too long, Americans have been dealing with discrimination, inequality, and racism. Disputes over gay marriage, transgenders, immigrants, and race have preoccupied what is truly important to this country, freedom.
Martin Luther King Jr., an African-American activist, once said, “It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can keep him from lynching me, and I think that’s pretty important.” In the Jim Crow South in the 1930s, the setting of the film The Great Debaters, directed by Denzel Washington in 2007, King’s words were particularly relevant. James Farmer Jr., the main character of the film, argues King’s point in the final debate about civil disobedience between Harvard and Wiley College. Although the Wiley debaters rely effectively on the strategy of ethos, the keys to their victory are the strategies pathos and logos.
William Jennings Bryan once said, “Never be afraid to stand with the minority when the minority is right, for the minority which is right will one day be the majority”. Standing up to the majority is vital, it gives individuals the opportunity to express their individual, unique opinions and experiences. It allows the majority to become open to diversity and the cultures that come along with it. This has been shown throughout history, Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have a Dream” speech, is an instance of this. This speech encapsulated all that he was fighting for, for the African American minority in America and their rights.
“Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair.” (King). King calms the African Americans who are being oppressed by using the words, “this situation can and will be changed.” and “Let us not wallow in the valley of despair.” which gives them hope that there will be a new day when a change will take place.
On March 15, 1965, one week after vicious beatings of African American protesters in Selma, Alabama, our 36th President Lyndon B. Johnson delivered an informative speech titled “We Shall Overcome” that would open the eyes of the caucasian people in congress. Johnson desired to have congress pass a bill for equality, and he addressed civil rights and racism between the voting poles. Throughout the speech President Johnson maintains a hopeful attitude with the assistance of strong and passionate parallel syntax and an affective tone following with good, positive, and projected vocals. Ultimately, Johnson wished to make a movement for equality for everyone in the United States to vote. Through the use of parallel syntax and repetition followed
American history is built on affairs regarding freedom and equality, but negative issues thought to be conquered in the past have also become present day problems. When confronting controversial social, economic, and political topics in America today, the line between fact and opinion blurs. People across the country develop their own views on national issues, based only on personal experience and what the media tells them. Whether it be intention or ignorance, Americans are not supplied with enough information to accurately confront the major, national problems that lie just inside this country’s borders. Americans are unaware of slavery and socioeconomic issues that exist around them, which in turn presents a concern when trying to combat
The white working-class preceded by justifying their positions through scapegoating. “There is a cultural movement in the white working-class to blame problems on society or the government, and that movement gains adherents by the day.” (Vance 193). This explains the resentment of the working-class toward immigrants. The working-class feels like that the political elites concern themselves with immigrants, while neglecting the white working-class.
Segregation has resulted in boycotts, protests, violence, and has caused much difficulty when police try to enforce it on people. It is unfair, and everyone knows it which results in people fighting to end it. While America fights to separate people by the color of their skin, other countries have their own people working together to make technological advancements, and improvements for their countries. In Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” he wrote, “The nations of Asia and Africa are moving with jet-like speed toward the goal of political independence, but we still creep at horse-and-buggy pace toward the gaining of a cup of coffee at a lunch counter.” Dr. King states America’s problem beautifully, writing about how other nations are progressing while America is stuck fighting over segregation.
