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  • Essay / Rhetorical Analysis of Obama's “A More Perfect Union” Speech

    From the 16th century, when North America was colonized by the French and British, to the history of the United States, there have been various examples of colonialism, racism and massacres of Native North Americans. Until now, there is discrimination against people based on their skin color or cultural differences, dominated by the white settler lineage. In 1787, there was the signing of the document “The Constitution of the United States” and this, according to Obama (2008), “launched America's improbable experiment in democracy”. On March 18, 2008, while serving as an African-American senator from Illinois, a man named Barack Hussein Obama gave a speech titled “A More Perfect Union.” Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get an original essay Through the use of valid historical and social arguments, showing strong emotions and various personal experiences related to people who knew prejudice on In his speech on the racial and social challenges in the United States, Obama attracted significant media attention. In his speech, Obama presented his rationale and argument centered on the upcoming election of a president and based on historical issues, ethnic challenges in education, and the current U.S. economy. This was seen as an issue that could bring down his level in the presidential candidate giving good support to Jeremiah Wright when the topic he presented was about how the African American goes through several challenges in the Company. To influence his audience, Obama used Aristotle's rhetorical principles of pathos, ethos, and logos to present social issues (Kristin, week 43). By combining the most recognized rhetorical techniques of influence and persuasion that were written by Aristotle himself, and by affirming and recontextualizing important social challenges, Barack Obama's speech became a success. Discussion Obama's speech opens with a quote stating "We the people, that we may form a more perfect union." On this point, he captures the trust and attention of his people by asserting himself on the same level as the public without placing himself below or above them. By showing that forming a perfect union is not that possible, but rather a more perfect union, Obama presents his views on the ongoing consideration of the constitution. Obama says now is the time to be realistic in presenting a critical vision of creating perfect union ideas. By this we recognize the use of arguments and rhetorical development in Obama's speech. It goes on to address racial issues that still have a huge impact on modern life for African Americans. In 1787, several white leaders first signed the constitutional document and were subsequently tainted by the nation's history of slavery. At that time, the United States was divided into two, the North and the South, centered on different values, which later resulted in the Civil War of 1865. It was not until the late 1860s that national law abolishes slavery. However, the strong racism against people who differ by their origin or more precisely by their skin color could end, and unfortunately the law is still relevant. In his speech, Obama said that “Understanding this reality requires remembering how we got to this point. As William Faulkner wrote: “The past is neither dead nor buried. In fact, it's not even in the past. » He talks about the "Jim Crow laws" that were developed in the 1890s to separate black people..