Mr. Johnson AP Language 27 April 2023 Becoming Your Past: A Rhetorical Analysis of Barack Obama’s Speech on Rosa Parks In his speech on Rosa Parks delivered on February 27, 2013, Barack Obama emphasized the importance of honoring the past in order to shape the present and the future. Obama spoke to a diverse audience, including members of Congress, civil rights leaders, and students, at the unveiling of a statue in honor of Parks in the Capitol building. Through the use of rhetorical strategies such as allusion, repetition, and metaphor, Obama effectively communicated the significance of Parks' legacy and how it can inspire us to continue the fight for justice and equality. Obama began his speech with an allusion to Parks' famous act of defiance on a Montgomery, Alabama bus in 1955. He said, "We do well by placing a statue of her here. But we can do no greater honor to her memory than to carry forward the power of her principle and a courage born of conviction." By referencing Parks' courageous act, Obama immediately establishes her as a symbol of strength and determination in the fight against injustice. He then goes on to repeat the phrase "she was" multiple times, emphasizing the impact that Parks had on American history. This repetition serves to remind the audience that Parks was not just an ordinary woman, but a hero who paved the way for the civil rights movement. …show more content…
He states, "We have made great strides, but we have farther to go." This metaphor creates a sense of continuity between the past and present, and implies that the struggle for equality is ongoing. This idea is reinforced by Obama's use of repetition when he says, "Our work is not done," emphasizing the importance of continuing the