Description
Watch the video of President Obama's March 18, 2008, speech at the Constitution Center in Philadelphia regarding the role race played in the 2008 presidential campaign. This speech, sometimes dubbed the "More Perfect Union" speech, can be found in several locations on the Web. Two suggested locations are provided below.
After viewing and reading the speech, write a two-to three-page paper in which you respond to the following questions:
- President Obama chronicles the resentments of blacks and whites and states, "Just as black anger often proved counterproductive, so have these white resentments distracted attention from the real culprits of the middle class squeeze…." (Obama, 2008, para. 36.) Do you think the resentments of each subgroup are valid? Why or why not? Do you agree with his statement that the anger and resentments are counterproductive? Why or why not?
- In the speech, President Obama quotes William Faulkner, "The past isn't dead and buried; in fact, it isn't even past." (Obama, 2008, para. 27.) What do you think this statement means, and what implications does it have for race relations in the United States?
- Do you believe a trans-racial society is desirable and possible in the United States? In your opinion, what changes would have to take place in our culture and/or our communications with one another for this societal change to take place?
Explanation & Answer
Running Head: MORE PERFECT UNION SPEECH
More Perfect Union Speech
Institution Affiliation
Date:
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MORE PERFECT UNION SPEECH
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According to President Obama’s speech on March 18, 2008, at the constitution center in
Philadelphia, it is evident that he chronicles the resentments of blacks and whites as well as
states. I think that the resentments of every subgroup are valid. This is because when you
compare the subgroups, it is very evident that each subgroup dells in what is their reality. As a
result, the groups have a tendency of closing in and rejecting what the other group may try to say
or express. Moreover, this creates a communication gap between subgroups and this has
continued to be expressed for a long period of time. Each subgroup dwelling in its own reality is
also evidence by the voting pattern that has taken place in United States of America for such a
long period. Majority of every subgroup have a tendency of being swayed in a certain side of the
political divide which is a clear indication that the resentments of ...
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