Rhetorical Analysis Of Barack Obama

In response to the controversial sermon given by his pastor and the racial remarks that followed him during his 2008 campaign, then Senator Barack Obama, was inherently forced into delivering a speech that would address the comments and prove to the American people that he did in fact shared their “American Dream” and was not an Anti-America charity case. Obama gave his famous “A More Perfect Union” speech in Philadelphia, where he seized the opportunity to address the controversy as an indication of a much larger issue, race relations in America and introduce his mission of moving the country toward “a more perfect union.” His speech often coined, “the Race Speech”, had several factors play into its success, one factor being the way the speech was delivered, his speech incorporated the jeremiad form and constitutive form of rhetoric, the use of those two forms helped Obama address the issue while at the same time creating an identity that would encompass all Americans who would then come together in this identity and work toward the solution of the race issue and providing the “American Dream” for everyone.

For many years, American Presidents were viewed as being white and powerful leaders. Why were they only white? Is it because Americans felt Blacks were not smart enough to run a country on their own? African Americans were viewed as less dominate people and have been discriminated because of the color of their skin. In 2008, Barack Obama was elected President of the United States making him the first black president ever. In this paper, I will discuss how Barack makes a change and if America can accept him as our first black president.

Obama’s speech on race was a part of his campaign while he was running for the presidential election in 2009. He speaks to the American people with the purpose to gather them and with spirit of fellowship to creates a unity and patriotism. A unity where everyone stands together and in jointly could make the world a better place for everyone, no matter

Obama’s speech demonstrates certain points to engage the audience and to create a connection to emphasize its presence in the speech. One impactful technique he used is his anecdotes to prove his credibility to gain trust within the students. One anecdote that he clearly states is about African Americans are treated different decades ago and how certain races are not able to have the job they wanted, due to their skin tone. Furthermore, he adds his own research on this topic by explaining how “no blacks CEOs of Fortune 500 companies” (Mccaskill). This creates a sense of wisdom and satisfaction because, over time, society changed their views within people of color

President Obama’s, “A More Perfect Union”, speech conveyed many of his beliefs concerning racism. Obama is the son of a white woman and a Kenyan man, and just because of his race people are either with or against him. He begins his speech by talking about the founding fathers and the Declaration of Independence by saying that ‘all men are created equal’. His former pastor, Reverend Jeremiah Wright brought up some of his observations about racism which caused some unease. He continues his speech by saying that the solution to ending this unease of racism is to come together and forgive each other for all the wrongs they have done in the past. He ends his speech by saying that both races need to become united in order for a more perfect union. Barack Obama buttresses his argument about slavery and unification by using ethos, pathos, allusion, as well as repetition.

The election of Barack Obama as the president of the United States surprised Americans as much as it did the world. The first African American and non-white to be in the White House, Barack Obama symbolized a major historical event, another step-forward toward racial equality in the history of America. Civil rights activists, experts in the racial conflict of the U.S., and many liberal citizens believed that Obama’s election means the realization of the ideas of black civil rights leaders, the completion of the Civil Rights Movement, the beginning of a post-racial society, and the downfall of

Barack Hussein Obama was elected the 44th president of the United States on Tuesday, sweeping away the last racial barrier in American politics with ease as the country chose him as its first black chief executive. The election of Mr. Obama amounted to a national catharsis- a repudiation of a historically unpopular Republican president and his economic and foreign policies, and an embrace of Mr. Obama’s call for a change in the direction and the tone of the country. But it was just as much a strikingly symbolic moment in the evolution of the nation’s fraught racial history, a breakthrough that would have seemed unthinkable just two years ago.

Obama, however, believes that words aren’t enough to eradicate slavery and racial issues; it is the action that counts. People should take actions like protest, raise their voice against racism and struggle hard to enter the real “United States”. The problems of discrimination can be solved if everyone forms a union and works together to achieve it. Even though, everyone belongs to a different race, country, and religion, they all have a common goal—a better future.

Barack Obama and his speech, “Remarks to the NAACP” is a nicely put together speech about health, education, and racial equality. While at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored Peoples’ one hundredth anniversary, President Obama uses different sections of his speech to further his argument. He makes a lot of points supporting his argument like how we should get a good education and keep going to school, how racial equality plays a role in everyday life, and how health care and insurance are very important.

He acknowledges that the resentments of the black and white communities “aren’t always expressed in polite company,” but these resentments are manifested within our society in destructive ways, like racism (Obama, par. 31). The audience feels that he is knowledgeable and credible on the immediate topics affecting our future and our daily lives.

The election of President Obama marks the most noteworthy political accomplishment for African Americans in the United States during the post-civil rights revolution, thus bringing about a change in the country’s social and political landscape that was steeped in racial discrimination since the founding of this great nation. Because social and political conditions are subject to constant change, President Obama’s

In March 18, 2008, Senator Barack Obama delivered a speech about racial background at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, situating how, a black man with African roots, as president would influence the history of the United States. His speech links

Senator Barack Obama had many issues throughout his campaign. Obama’s speech, “A More Perfect Union”, delivered on March 18, 2008, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, conveyed many issues concerning racism throughout the United States, but it starts out stating how the founders of this nation constructed the Declaration of Independence, creating all men equal. Obama then begins to talk about his pastor, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, and his racial remarks against America and Israel, as it is “divisive at a time when we need unity”, referring to the “ two wars, a terrorist threat, a falling economy, a chronic health care crisis” going on at the time. (Obama 2) Obama remarks “I am the son of a black man from Kenya and a white woman from Kansas,” (Obama 1) because there is much criticism in his campaign due to his race. Obama argues that race is paralyzing our nation, and that it is still a major issue due to white privilege, and racial inequality. In the end, Obama hopes to move past the “racial stalemate we’ve been stuck in for years,” (Obama 6) and wishes to improve health care, jobs, schools, and other social issues for the United States.

Many American think that racism of African Americans is a thing of past. However, this is not the case especially with the recent election of Donald Trump. As Obama brought to light in his presidency the issue of racism has only be taken out of the conversation. That racism against African American still happens in the US and the only difference is it is often left undiscussed. This is known better as colorblindness. This can be quite damaging and really has prevented any real process on race relation from being done. The obvious reason for this is because if it is being discussed then how can things get done. This American issue was acknowledged by Obama during his presidency. Obamas pushed “Americans to acknowledge their complicity in racial reasoning, with such acceptance being a step toward enabling us to engage I coherent dialogue about race and all of the its shameful, traumatic truths” (Miller 350). Obama during his presidency saw race relation in the U.S during his presidency as the issue and question that needed to be addressed in this generation to form a more perfect union. Miller sees Obamas approach to be a “proactive example of rhetoric potential to remedy and heal the negative differences and divisions of American race relations” (Miller 350). This approach is one step in solving race relation however it seems this issue continue to be a problem in the Us. It remains an issue in

One morning a lady told President Obama that “you are a bright young man. Why a bright young man like you would go to college, get a degree and become a community organizer.” This way his journey started for developing communities project which was in the inner city of Chicago. Different questions and strategies have been raised how black and other disposed people can forward between integration, nationalism,