Blog #11, Barack Obama "A More Perfect Union"

"A More Perfect Union" speech presented by Barack Obama on March 18, 2008 may be compared to the famous Martin Luther King's speech “I Have a Dream", or the Declaration of Independence - a very powerful document that was revolutionary for its time.
Senator Barack Obama addressed the nation with one of the greatest speeches ever given, it was not only a wake up call for America, but also a starting of a new era.
Obama mentions that the slave trade went on for twenty years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence and suggests that our forefathers left it up to future generations to perfect this country over time. Listeners are reminded of all the struggles and protests in the courts and the streets that the citizens of the United States have already made to bring these changes. He admits that we have different backgrounds, but suggests his goals to the audience that we are the same making a better future for our children and grandchildren.
In “A More Perfect Union” speech, Senator Obama uses ethos, logos and pathos to persuade Americans to forget the past misfortunes and start a new better life as a united Nation.
One of the reasons why Obama was able to deliver his speech with success was the use of ethos. He begins by telling his “American story” where he states that he is - "the son of a black man from Kenya and a white woman from Kansas. He was raised with the help of a white grandfather who... served in Patton’s Army during World War II and a white grandmother who worked on a bomber assembly line...” This passage shows that having the blood of both races, he represents an ideal individual to direct a new era in American history. I think this example serves to show that his family was well involved in historical periods of changes in America such as the World War II. He also mentions that his wife has the blood of slavery and that he has other relatives who are of different race and skin color. In mentioning his wife's family background he further ties this fact to the understanding of the struggle for equality as related to slavery.
Obama discusses at length Reverend Wright, his church, and what he gained from entering the world of that church. Obama speaks about Reverend Wright as "a man who helped introduce him to Christian faith, a man who spoke to him about our obligations to love one another; to care for the sick and lift up the poor..." But, also Reverend Wright "contains within him the contradictions - the good and the bad - of the community that he has served diligently for so many years."
Obama also speaks about his "faith in God and faith in the American people – that working together we can move beyond some of our old racial wounds... Solve challenges like health care, or education, or the need to find good jobs for every American." So, I think it is extremely important that all Americans engage in a full and frank conversation about all these extremely vital issues.