Reading Response #2

[Dr. Raymond Oenbring]

English 120 (Oenbring)
Reading Response #2

Your second reading response is to Barack Obama’s “A More Perfect Union” (61-65) speech delivered at a critical moment in the 2008 campaign (specifically, at the time of the Reverend Jeremiah Wright controversy).

The specific question you will answer is this:

 What do you think are the most important rhetorical (this means persuasive) devices that Obama uses in the speech? Why?

Rhetorical devices are listed on pages 14-18 of the course reading packet. You can analyse Obama’s use of ancient rhetorical strategies (ethos, pathos, and logos), his use of figures of speech (allusion, metaphor, etc.), or his use of tone (e.g., serious, cynical). Please include direct quotes from the speech for evidence.

Things to pay attention to:
• When does Obama try to invoke or stir American patriotism?
• How does Obama try to position himself in regard to Reverend Wright?


Responses should be approximately 300 words and should be to the class message board. The message board can be accessed here:

cobengl120-11.proboards.com/

Or you can link to the message board from our course website:

raymondoenbring.com/engl120-11/

I encourage you to respond to other students’ posts. However, don’t just reiterate what they say.

[jthompson]

Test Test

[rashad]

In the speech a more perfect union Barrack Obama sought out to break down all the reasons for his former pastor’s behavior and the words that he used to say when still in church. He used many different rhetorical devices in his speech but the one that I think obama best used was a device called Allusion which is a short, informal reference to a famous person or event. This device was very useful in his speech because during the campaign news was brought up of his former pastor Reverend Wright which was putting holes in his campaign because it was being repeatedly played due to the fact that it was so shocking. Obama used this speech to bring forth the topic and finally put it at rest “On the other end, we've heard my former pastor, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, use incendiary language to express views that have the potential not only to widen the racial divide, but views that denigrate both the greatness and the goodness of our nation; that rightly offend white and black alike”. He continued on throughout his speech addressing what his past pastor had said without once ever saying that he was wrong or that he did not have the right to say such things. Instead he only saw fit to let his audience know that he didn’t agree with the insensitive words of reverend Wright. The use of this device also serves to explain or clarify or enhance whatever subject is under discussion, without side tracking the audience I believe that his use of allusion was the most important device within his speech because his speech was a means to bring attention to both a person and an event which was probably the whole reason for this speech since he spent most of his time discussing his pastor (the person) and the outrageous things that the pastor had said in church (the event).

[Joi P Kemp 000051793]

My belief and Opinion- "A More Perfect Union"

I believe that the speech made by Barack Obama was not only critical but also serious and in some since ironic. Obama use of these rhetorical devices persuades his audience of his point of view on unity in America. Obama serious tone was set by adding urgency and importance in his persuasion, the critical tone was implied by pointing out social ills and problems in order to make an appeal for better or ethical alternatives. He speaks merely to the American audience both White American and African- American all the same. He speaks a message of enforcing unity among the different races in America not only presently but also for the future generations. Obama noted in his speech that the Constitutions main reason was to promise its people liberty, justice and a union that is perfected over time no matter what may arise. He found his running for presidency the time to bring about the issues and concerns he had on America as a whole. Obama felt as though it was his time to try and persuade the Americans that moving forward together changes a nation faster than moving separately.

Primarily the speech appeals to the Americans ethically, emotionally, and logically. In the appeal of ethics and emotion, Obama forms a personal connection and feeling of pride for his family. He also forms a personal connection by explaining his background and how it is of many races. In the speech Obama mentions,"I am the son of a black man from Kenya and a white woman from Kansas. I was raised with the help of a white grandfather ... and a white grandmother...I've gone to some of the best schools in America and lived in one of the world's poorest nations. I am married to a black American who carries within her blood of slaves and slave owners- an inheritance we pass on to our two precious daughters". He says this to prove to his audience that there are indeed people that are of different races, but most importantly accept these races as who they really are. Despite the struggles and civil wars they are indeed Americans. He shows that this is nothing to be ashame of but to be grateful and appreciative because everyone is looking for the same result, being a better nation.
Obama appeals to logic by providing facts to prove that there are people that are still causing such controversies. He uses Reverend Jeremiah Wright as an example. Obama says,"Reverend Jeremiah Wright, used incendiary language to express views that have the potential not only to widen the racial divide, but views that denigrate both the greatness and the goodness of the nation; that rightly offend White and black alike". It is amiss to Obama for seeing Americans themselves devaluing themselves and supporting racism. But Obama says,"I can no more disown him, than I can disown the black community", because he considers Reverend Wright as a family to him, despite what may have happened. On the other hand, Obama gives credit to William Faulkner for writing, "The past isn't dead and buried. In fact, it isn't even past". This statement proves that there is still hope and faith in uniting Americans. This statement is also an Anaphora and a form of analogy because it uses repetition for emphasis and effect and the past cannot actually be buried. The use of a metaphor was in the sentence,"But for all those who scratched and clawed their way to get a piece of the American Dream...". He uses this to compare the way animals act to achieve something to the way some humans seem to be acting.
Obama uses irony to show that even in the churches where one would expect to find peace, love and kindness toward people as God exhibits, there is still cruelty, bitterness and bias in churches in America. He proves how this is a result of racism among the people.
In the ending of the speech, Obama gives some solutions to the problem. He says, "For the African-American community, that path means embracing the burdens of the past without becoming victims of our past". He's saying that in order to move toward unity, African-American communities have to acknowledge what has happened not forgetting it but also not allowing it to stop them from pursuing the dream of unity. He also says to the African-American that they have to bring all grievances together to form better health care, schools and jobs. In this sentence he uses Anaphora in the way he uses the word "better" for emphasis and effect. Obama also mentions that a solution to this problem is to take responsibility of ones own life and to accept that there maybe discrimination but never to succumb to despair, but to believe that you can write your own destiny.

[Joi P Kemp]

I 'm sorry, I got a little carried away.... forgot 300 words.

[micheala]

In the speech a more perfect union by Barrack Obama the most important rhetorical device was allusion. obama started his speech by painting a picture to his audience of black salves and how they struggled to make it until they got their independence. then he talks about how so many people where prejudice against him. in addition he talks about how south Carolina is one of the primary source for racism. Throughout obama's speech he looks at every aspect of the American life he talked abou t the declartion of independence and the salves and how white ppl feel the seem way that black's do, how whites and black's feel that they have not been privileged by their race. He also brought up the issue about his former pastor and what he preached about because he (the pastor) was anger for some reason. he talked about how he disagreed with most of his statements to the public. on the other hand barrack also informed us on his past exprience with his pastor and how he never show a dislike against the other race. he contiues on by tell everyone that in order to have a better america they need to put their differences aside because everyone comes from different backgrounds therefore they must understand each other's stories in order to unite. he also inplies that the talk show host also can be racist at time so we should look at his former paster as the only person who speaks about the different race badly. obama's speech was an important one because it focused on every race without being races. also he disagrreed with his pastor statements without throwing back negative feedback.

[majesty115]

In " A More Perfect Union," President barack Obama summarizes the plight of America in terms of race. Obama gives anecdotes from his childhood even exposing his own grandmother for her racial epithets. He reveals that at times her remarks were tasteless yet he loved her unconditionally. Obama realized that this was just something he had to take in stride. Obama's strategic use of Ethos in this speech is brilliant. He opens the speech with reference to the constitution; the very document that defines the values of America. This document is known to all and is the basis for the attainanble American dream. This document sums of the beliefs and hope for all mankind but this document is incomplete as it does not accurately reflect the treatment of African Americans in that era. The strategic use of Pathos is also evident In Obama's speech. Obama appeals to pride when he says 'this belief comes from my unyielding faith in the decency and generosity of the American people." Not only does Obama state that Americans are guided by their moral compass but he also commends them for their integrity. Obama invokes patriotism when he alludes to his own childhood and background that they may all come from different walks of life but they are "truly one." Obama distances himself from Reverend Wright by saying "I have already condemned, in unequivocal terms the staements of Reverend Wright." Obama also refers to Reverend Wright as " my former pastor." These statements are indicative that Obama does not approve of Wright's radical stance all ties were severed. Obama not only addressed the racial issue that has divided America for generations,he adamantly and publicly rebuked Reverend's Wright racial propoganda, and in doing so imparted the message of hope that one day America could be unified.


By: Livalia Stuart

[tsuki]

Anaylse “A More perfect Union” By Joanne Turnquest



Barack Obama’s speech, “A More Perfect Union”, was given at what Obama calls a “divisive” time. No other presidential candidate has ever given direct acknowledgment towards racial division. Within his speech, he uses beautiful language, creating an atmosphere of peace and unity, in a thunderstorm of hatred and venom. Ultimately, he manages to make America realize the imperativeness of confronting racism together, by using quite a few figures of speech. However, there are key methods in his speech that rise above all.

Two hundred and twenty one years ago, America gained independence by the bloodshed and sacrifice of their people. Barack Obama attempted to stir up the feeling of patriotism in his audience and engulfs his prey. He achieves this by incorporating Pathos, or tapping into the emotions of the crowd. Patriotism fills his audience when he states phrases such as “…my unyielding faith in the decency and generosity of the American people”, and “…America, this country that I love”. The fact that he expresses his love and admiration of America makes his audience, I believe, more willing to accept him. It makes them proud to be American, even if some contradict their ‘parchment’.


Another figure of speech that Obama uses is his subtle Euphemism. He realizes that he is dealing with a time bomb. If not dealt with delicately, it could detonate, and turn his campaign into the aftermath of an eruption. Phrases like “racial tensions bubble”, “concentrated pockets”, and “racial stalemate’, are used instead of more blunt phrases to assure that no one’s skin is rubbed the wrong way. Euphemism is also used as a means of stating others opinions of him, yet not insulting himself. This is seen when he mentions that he was not the most “conventional candidate” because he was “deemed” as “too black”, or “not black enough”. This shows that he can still smile in the face of an insult.

Furthermore, Obama’s use of Irony also plays an important role in creating this beloved speech. In paragraph 13, he paints a picture of the predominantly black church, creating a side by side analysis for the things seen in the church. However, his statements can be seen as a bit of sweeping generalization. He states that “the church contains in full… the bitterness and bias” of African American. The irony in this statement is that the church is supposed to follow the teachings and beliefs of Jesus. If so, then bitterness and bias should not exist in the church, because while on earth, Jesus thought us to love and forgive. It’s hypocrisy for those who say that “I love God”, and still conceal hatred. However, Obama generalizes all black American churches as harboring such feelings. This was too hasty of him. While it may be true for most, there is no proof that this is the everyday Sunday black American service.

Finally, Obama uses Anecdotes and questions to rely to his audience his relationship with Reverend Wright. He tells us of the unbreakable history that they both share; of how “he strengthened [his] faith, officiated [his] wedding, and baptized [his] children.” Obama claimed that it was impossible for him to disown the Reverend. He attempts to make us realize that we all have “pastors, priest, or rabbis”, that have said things we don’t always agree with. In paragraph 11, Obama asks question that people are concerned about such as, “Did I strongly disagree with his political views?” Questions such as these help Barack Obama to separate and disown Reverend Wright’s ideals, but not Wright himself. Obama portrays the picture of a very flawed man, and asks the implicit question “Who isn’t?” He refused to associate himself with the words of Reverend Wright, but refuses to deny a man who help him in every way possible, whom he considered family.

[Anjozel Rahming]

Anjozel Rahming
September 30, 2009
English 120 -02
Response to Barack Obama’s “A More Perfect Union” (61-65)


Barack Obama’s speech, “A More Perfect Union” gives a lucid flashback to the time of Martin Luther King Jr. on the occasion he gave his popular speech, “I Have a Dream.” Ironically, an African - American presidential candidate would muster the courage to perfect the message that was trying to be relayed generations ago. According to U.S. Representative John Lewis, who also spoke that day of Martin Luther King’s speech as the President of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee,
"Dr. King had the power, the ability and the capacity to transform those steps on the Lincoln Memorial into a monumental area that will forever be recognized . By speaking the way he did, he educated, he inspired, and he informed not just the people there, but people throughout America and unborn generations."
The object of Barack Obama’s speech was to speak out against his former pastor, Reverend Jeremiah Wright. However, Obama defends Wright, stating African Americans find peace and comfort to say as they please in the church “barbershop or around the kitchen table.” Obama’s words are not only touching, but true. America has been fighting a war in their country for years. A war between races that is no longer necessary. Obama’s intense play on pathos reels in his audience by spitting out history that America has tried for so long to sweep under the rug; Obama pulls the dirt out. Obama informs the audience of his childhood story, and how racial confusion has always been part of his life. He gives a little piece of his history, stating “I am the son of a black man from Kenya and a white woman from Kansas.”
Obama invokes American patriotism when he states that “working and middle class white Americans” do not feel as though their race has privileged them. Obama’s use of an antithesis helps the audience to follow his understanding on the matters of race. He includes “Latinos and Asians” in hopes to persuade different communities. His use of euphuism is not only obvious, but absolutely needed; many citizens would have been offended had their nationality not be called out in the delicate speech concerning race.