Topic > Slavery and Racism Overwhelmed the Independence of African Americans

On March 18, 2008, Barack Obama delivered a political speech titled “A More Perfect Union” at the National Constitutional Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This speech left a significant impact on Native people and the history of America. This speech was given by Obama before he became president of America. Obama gave this speech in response to the controversial speech given by his former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Wright criticized the US government and claimed that the US government was racist. He made some statement that distorted the greatness and goodness of America. Obama's speech focused primarily on racism and unity. In his speech, Obama addressed both white Americans and African Americans. So that they can understand each other and unite to make America a better country where people are not judged on the basis of their gender, race and caste. In America, African Americans were not allowed to enjoy their freedom, which was unfair because according to the constitutional law every citizen has the same right to enjoy their freedom, liberty and justice. The reason for this unjust behavior was racism and slavery. He begins his speech by saying “we the people, to form a more perfect union” (Obama 613) and seek to unite all the citizens of America. Additionally, it talks about the law passed two hundred and twenty-one years ago that guaranteed freedom to African American farmers, scholars, statesmen, and patriots. But this law never went into effect because of slavery. Obama's entire speech was structured to address all citizens: "No to plagiarism." Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay on America directly or indirectly. He tried to relate the problems of African Americans and white Americans to each other. Obama tells Reverend Wright that whatever he said was wrong because he only showed the negative side of America but ignored the positive points. But he tried to defend him by saying he spoke badly of America because of his past experiences. Thus, Obama structured America's racial history, its education and its outlook in such a way that his speech made a strong appeal to his audience that racism can no longer be ignored and that they must unite to solve this problem. Rhetorical strategy is defined as “ways or techniques that help the writer organize evidence, connect facts sequentially, and provide clusters of information needed to convey a purpose or argument.” Obama effectively used rhetorical strategies to convey his message of unity and no more racism in his speech. He used rhetorical devices such as allusion, enumeration, analogy, and repetition to make his speech more attractive and attract the attention of his audience. Therefore, I think that with the help of rhetorical strategies Obama structured his speech in a way that helps him gather support from his audience and I will further demonstrate this in my paragraphs. Using the rhetorical strategy of unity and allusion Obama tried to attract the attention of his audience. To make this clearer let us consider Obama's statement “we the people, to form a more perfect union.”(316) With this he clarifies that his audience was both white and African American. After hearing this statement people, consciously or unconsciously, related to his speech. Furthermore, Obama appeals to people asking them to unite and fight against racism and slavery. So that everyperson living in America can enjoy their right to freedom and justice regardless of color, caste and creed. Obama states his own story of being the son of a black man from Kenya and a white woman from Kansas. He had been raised by a white grandfather and grandmother. Obama attended some of the best schools in America. He married an American woman who has slavery in her blood and the same is inherited by their daughters. He has brother, sister, nieces, uncles and cousins ​​of every race. Obama tried to convince his audience by telling his story that despite all the racial and caste differences, they are still one. They belong to the same country and say that "among many, we are truly one". (614). Obama believes that racism is not only present between people of two different colors, but he has also had to face racism from people in his own community. Obama talks about his first book “Dreams From My Father” (616) and why was he disappointed by the reaction he received from people? Instead of getting up from your chairs, clapping and crying. He expected blacks to relate their stories to the stories of David and Goliath, of Moses and Pharaoh, of the Christians in the den of loins and Ezekiel's field of dry bones. He expected them to understand each other the pain and loss that racism has caused them. People should unite not only to fight racism but also to solve other issues related to education, healthcare and jobs. To motivate his audience, Obama speaks of "the damage that began with the Constitution and truthfully recounts the historical path of our nation, paved with the brutal series of institutionalized racial injustices: slavery, Jim Crow, segregated schools, legalized discrimination, erosion of black families due to lack of economic opportunity and the resulting cycle of violence and neglect.”(461 Isaksen, Judy L). Obama believes that by working together they will not only be able to overcome racial discrimination and the loss it has caused them, but they will also be able to move forward towards a brighter future and a more perfect union. Not only will they get justice, but they will also be able to get better healthcare, better schools and better jobs. I too feel that if Americans work together they will certainly be able to uncover the wounds caused by slavery and racism. They will be able to provide a better life for their children and may enable them to fight against injustice in their lives. This can also motivate others to come out of the cage of bondage and enjoy life. As I mentioned, Obama gave this speech in response to controversial statements made by Reverend Jeremiah Wright. Obama used a rhetorical strategy to defend Wright. Wright issued a "God Bless America-God Damn America" ​​statement (461 Isaksen, Judy L) and claimed that the American government was racist. Wright's speech went viral and was picked up by every major news outlet. according to Obama, Wright's speech promoted racial injustice and widened the gap between whites and African Americans. Wright perverted the image of America by telling the negative points and ignoring the positive side. Using rhetorical questions, he tried to answer the demand of voters and the media. For example: “Did I know you were sometimes a fierce critic of American domestic and foreign policies? Obviously. Have I ever heard him make remarks that might be considered controversial while sitting in church? YES. Did I strongly disagree with many of his political views? Absolutely." (615) Obama, being originally from America, said he didn't like the way Wright.