...Race in Obama’s America The American society has developed a lot since Barack Obama became president and his wife Michelle Obama became first lady. But there are still some issues. It’s getting better and better with race, but can it be perfect in a country with the American history in mind? I will make an outline of each of the three texts, and give my own opinion of one of them. The first text is called “Black is being seen in a whole new light”. It’s written by Yolanda Young. She is a lawyer and columnist and writes for the USA today. In this text she is writing about the differences she had experienced since Barack Obama became president. Yolanda looks like Michelle Obama. She often gets compliments about that: “For a woman the colour of dark coffee to be noticed, even admired, suggest a cultural paradigm shift.” (s. 2, l. 7-8). She can feel the development in the society. When two psychology professors surveyed 300 non-black students, the survey was about the non-black students’ implicit racial prejudice. It showed that since Obamas appearing the automatic preference for white Americans dropped from 81% to 51%. She thinks it’s good that there are some icons like Michelle Obama. It makes her feel better with herself. Her self image is getting better and better. But she is still vigilant. But she is happy that the most powerful man in the world is black, and his wife is proclaimed as beautiful. The second text is a speech written by Eric Holder it is called “Black...
Words: 632 - Pages: 3
...Obama’s America In the three texts ‘’black is being seen in a whole new light’’, ‘’black history month’’ and ‘’the obsession over race continues’’ we hear from tree different African Americans what they have noticed before, after and under Barack Obama moved into the white house. ‘’Black is being seen in a whole new light´´ Yolanda Young walked down the streets in Washington DC for 20 years anonyms to the white inhabitants, until the day Barak Obama and his wife Michelle Obama moved into the white house. 300 non- black college students were surveyed by some professors. Only 51 % participants showed that they rather wanted white people while the rest showed no preference or preferred blacks. Tyra banks and Naomi Campbell were featured in Italian vogue’s July 2008 inaugural black issue which featured black models and icons such as Michelle Obama. The editor for Babies called the black Babie an icon for whole generation. For Yolanda everything is changed. Now almost daily white people meets Yolanda with a happy smiling face, telling her she is beautiful and she looks a lot like Michelle Obama. She is almost blown away; she can see the light at the end of the tunnel. ‘’ For a woman the color of dark coffee to be noticed, even admired, suggest a cultural paradigm shift’’ (…) ´´As a black woman, I’ve had to be vigilant about maintaining a positive self-image even when beauty icons – even black ones – have not resembled me. Now that a woman who looks like me is living in the white...
Words: 800 - Pages: 4
...Obama’s America In the three texts ‘’black is being seen in a whole new light’’, ‘’black history month’’ and ‘’the obsession over race continues’’ we hear from tree different African Americans what they have noticed before, after and under Barack Obama moved into the white house. ‘’Black is being seen in a whole new light´´ Yolanda Young walked down the streets in Washington DC for 20 years anonyms to the white inhabitants, until the day Barak Obama and his wife Michelle Obama moved into the white house. 300 non- black college students were surveyed by some professors. Only 51 % participants showed that they rather wanted white people while the rest showed no preference or preferred blacks. Tyra banks and Naomi Campbell were featured in Italian vogue’s July 2008 inaugural black issue which featured black models and icons such as Michelle Obama. The editor for Babies called the black Babie an icon for whole generation. For Yolanda everything is changed. Now almost daily white people meets Yolanda with a happy smiling face, telling her she is beautiful and she looks a lot like Michelle Obama. She is almost blown away; she can see the light at the end of the tunnel. ‘’ For a woman the color of dark coffee to be noticed, even admired, suggest a cultural paradigm shift’’ (…) ´´As a black woman, I’ve had to be vigilant about maintaining a positive self-image even when beauty icons – even black ones – have not resembled me. Now that a woman who looks like me is living in the white...
Words: 800 - Pages: 4
...Race in Obama’s America Axel Bevort – 2.b Section A In the first text, Yolanda Young, a lawyer and columnist for USA Today, reflects on how she experienced what she calls “a cultural paradigm shift”(line 7) first-hand. She begins by writing that for twenty years, she walked the streets of Washington D.C. virtually unnoticed by its white citizens. This all changes when Barack Obama was elected in November 2008 and his wife becomes the First Lady Of The United States. Young starts receiving regular compliments on her looks, such as “You’re so pretty. You look like Michelle Obama” (line 5). Due to a change in presidency, racial equality between the black and white races will no longer be a dream. This point is further emphasized by a study conducted in 2008, in which “51% of (non-black) participants showed an automatic preference for white people”(line 11), compared to a previous research where 80% preferred whites. Although there have been exceptions of black women ”who were embraced as beautiful” (line 14), e.g. Tyra Banks and Naomi Campbell, the average black woman was not perceived as being as attractive as a white woman. In 1954, two psychologists provided expert testimony regarding experiments, in which they presented a black doll and a white doll to black children and proceeded to asking them which doll they preferred. To Young’s surprise, almost ”half the girls thought the white doll was prettier” (line 25). She blames the results on low self-esteem and concludes...
Words: 892 - Pages: 4
...Race in Obama’s America 1. Text one “Black is being seen in a whole new light” is a commentary written by Yolanda Young. The text is published on USA Today’s website on August 14, 2009. Yolanda Young is a lawyer and columnist. The author brings the view on black people into focus. She didn't get noticed by white people until Barack Obama got elected for President. Her main statement is that the view on black people has changed. “For a woman the color of dark coffee to be noticed, even admired, suggests a cultural paradigm shift”. She supports this statement with an example. In a research from 2008 two psychology professors found that 51% of the 300 non-black participants preferred white people. A previous research showed that white people had a 81% preference for white people. She concludes that she has hope for the future. The second text is written by Eric Holder. It is an excerpt from a speech which was given on February 18, 2009 at the Justice Department. The text is called “Black History Month” and was published on the website of the Justice Department. Eric Holder is Attorney General of America. Eric Holder finds is really important that black and white Americans communicate with each other about the racial separation to be united. His main statement is that we have to understand Americas racial history before we can understand America. “One cannot truly understand America without understanding the historical experience of black people in this nation” He believes...
Words: 936 - Pages: 4
...It has been said that the US is renounces the Monroe Doctrine but Secretary of State John Kerry said, “ that the era of the Monroe Doctrine is over”. Kerry said that Monroe’s state address it has asserted our authority to step in and oppose the influence of European powers in Latin America also through out history that our nation’s president have reinforced the doctrine and made a similar choice but we made a different choice that the era Monroe Doctrine is over that the relationship we have seek that we have worked on fostering is not the U.S declaration on how it will intervene in the affairs of other American states. It’s all of our countries viewing one as equals, sharing responsibilities, cooperating on security issues, and adhering...
Words: 760 - Pages: 4
...are moeslim. American love alcohol, but little bit of cigarette. Perhaps it sounds strange but the fact like that. Almost all people in Indonesia are smoking especially men, and there are some person which consumption the alcohol. But, in America is very contrary in Indonesia. Almost american consume alcohol and only a few person who smoking. I think one of the reason why American consume it because the weather. In America has winter and autumn. Surely it is very cool. So, they consume it to warm their bodies. 3. Indonesian love offal, American love pork. Maybe not everyone in Indonesia like offal. Because it is unhealthy but it tastes very good. Because the taste, many people in Indonesia consume it. Although most of people also do not consume it because they feel displeasing and feel unwell after consuming it. While in America, the people love pork. It caused majority of Americans are christians even do not have religion so that they are allowed to consume pork. In Indonesia, the people rarely consume it because they are dominated by moeslims. Only people of other faith who consume pork and even then it is not sold in any places. 4. Indonesian girl more polite than American girl. In Indonesia, they are modest in dress while in America, they prefer to show the body shape and like wear clothes that are very sexy. 5. Indonesian is a very not appreciate...
Words: 1122 - Pages: 5
...Obama Inaugural Address 20th January 2009 My fellow citizens: I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition. Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents. So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans. That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet. These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics...
Words: 2408 - Pages: 10
...October 01, 2011 Remarks by the President at the Human Rights Campaign's Annual National Dinner Washington Convention Center Washington, D.C. 7:26 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Thank you so much. It is great to be back. (Applause.) I see a lot of friends in the house. I appreciate the chance to join you tonight. I also took a trip out to California last week, where I held some productive bilateral talks with your leader, Lady Gaga. (Laughter.) She was wearing 16-inch heels. (Laughter.) She was eight feet tall. (Laughter.) It was a little intimidating. Now, I don’t want to give a long speech. Cyndi Lauper is in the house. I can’t compete with that. (Applause.) But I wanted to come here tonight, first of all, to personally thank Joe for his outstanding years of leadership at HRC. (Applause.) What he has accomplished at the helm of this organization has been remarkable, and I want to thank all of you for the support that you’ve shown this organization and for your commitment to a simple idea: Every single American -- gay, straight, lesbian, bisexual, transgender -- every single American deserves to be treated equally in the eyes of the law and in the eyes of our society. It’s a pretty simple proposition. (Applause.) Now, I don’t have to tell you that we have a ways to go in that struggle. I don’t have to tell you how many are still denied their basic rights -- Americans who are still made to feel like second-class citizens, who have to live a lie to keep their jobs, or who are...
Words: 2334 - Pages: 10
...“Here in America, we don’t give in to our fears. We don’t build up walls to keep people out.” (Obama). These words of Michelle Obama, recent first lady of the United States, interprets that we do not let things come between us, because we do not build block pathways for people to be kept out. Michelle Obama mainly focuses her attention in social works and poverty, which had lead her into the path of wanting to be a lawyer. She has accomplished so much more, she is being relied on for children in America to have better education and live freely. In other words, current issues that have occurred in today’s society is the education-wise, equality rights, and relying on oneself, by standing in all of sticking to one stance. Although, Donald Trump...
Words: 1388 - Pages: 6
...speech concerning the “state of the Union”. The most recent address was given by Barack Obama in January of 2015. In his State of the Union Address, President Obama is attempting to assure Americans that the Unites States are thriving more now than ever. Through his use of logos and pathos, rhetorical questions, and anecdotes President Obama strengthens his argument and convinces his audience that the United States of America are in a time of economical growth and that the public has no reason to be concerned about the little things, like national debt and terrorism. President Obama initially addresses the number of troops on the ground and involved in war in some way. His approach here is logos because he is providing facts to reassure the audience that something is being done to minimize the number of troops deployed to the lowest number possible. Obama says; “ Six years ago, nearly 180,000 troops served in Iraq and...
Words: 806 - Pages: 4
...Barack Obama – Speech On October 1, 2015 several people were shot and killed by a man at Oregon Community College. On the same day Barack Obama gave a speech. First of all the speech was gave to express Obama’s grief, – but he wanted more than just to show empathy. Obama presents a clear message - of changing the U.S gun laws - in his speech Obama delivered his speech to the press , so therefore all Americans are his receivers. In his speech Obama argues against the 2nd amendment, which gives every American the right to be armed. Obama blames the 2nd amendment for the recurrent mass shootings in America. To convince his receiver Barack Obama uses several rhetorical devices, which this paper will analyze. “I'd ask the American people to think about how they can get our government to change these laws, and to save lives, and to let young people grow up.” In this sentence Obama clarifies his message about changing gun laws. He also emphasizes who his audience is; “the American people”. Furthermore, the quotation is an example of his use of the appeal form pathos. He mentions young people and their right to grow up, which most Americans can relate to. Another example of the appeal form pathos is the phrase in the speech, where he mentions “American families, moms, dads, children, whose lives have been changed forever.” Here Obama not only mentions family members so that everyone can relate to them, he also emphasizes that it is the American families and therefore...
Words: 916 - Pages: 4
...Barack Obama’s victory speech After four years of criticism against Barack Obama, won the status as president for the next four years, despite an unemployment rate of 7,8 %. Because of Obama’s inability to move America forward. These four years, a period of economical decline, has concluded people have lost their home, and been kicked out on the streets. The American people have lost their trust. With four years of despair, Barack Obama managed to be reelected as president. Barack Obama had to make a victory speech to regain, a normally optimistic American people, believe. He did so, by reminding the American people, as one nation the United States can come out strong on the other side of the global financial crisis. I will discuss which rhetorical features Obama have used to regain the American people trust and believe. Barack Obama is a rhetorical genius. He uses a non-formal language so every citizen in the US can understand Barack Obama’s victory speech. He appears emphatic by appealing to emotions. “And I saw just the other day, in Mentor, Ohio, where a father told the story of his 8-year-old daughter…. Had it not been for health care reform passing just a few months before the insurance company was about to stop paying for her care.” ll. 33-36. He uses the appeal form to emotions, pathos, and therefore gets the people of America attention by using a touching story, about a young girl fighting leukemia. It is an every parent’s nightmare, facing your child struggle...
Words: 788 - Pages: 4
...from the general public. President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney must go through months of campaigning to get the votes necessary to win each state. Some Americans believe that the public makes the decision for presidency long before the campaigns start, and others believe that the campaigns are necessary to gain votes for a President. A campaign in itself is not necessary to influence the public's decision. The focus is whether the campaign has the influential power to change the opinions of American citizens. During the campaign period, national conventions, and presidential debates, President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney discussed why both are qualified and best fit to become President of the United States. Many topics such as education, foreign policy issues, health care, and economy and trade are elaborated during the campaigning period, the conventions, and the debates. According to multiple media sources such as CNN and Fox News, the 2012 presidential election is in a dead heat. Governor Romney revealed qualities that would make him a good President. Governor Romney’s economic policy is what a fragile America needs and his ability to recognize the danger of the growing debt. Governor Romney possesses great knowledge of the current budget mess and yet has an optimistic view of America’s future. That is the change I want for a better America. A strong education system is essential for a better America. Currently, the education system is in a...
Words: 1677 - Pages: 7
...Barack Obama is a rhetorical genius. He uses a non-formal language so every citizen in the US can understand Barack Obama’s 2011 Tucson shooting speech. He makes the citizens feel like he knew the people who were killed by the shooting. He talks about all of them in a sense that he knew them personally. The back stories about each individual contribute to the emotional appeal Obama creates. He states in the middle of his speech, “George and Dorothy Morris -- "Dot" to her friends -- were high school sweethearts who got married and had two daughters. They did everything together, traveling the open road in their R.V., enjoying what their friends called a 50-year honeymoon” (Obama). This quote is very well abstracted, he gives the audience a sweet taste into the Morris’s life, which only contributes to the aspiration speech that he presents. President Obama is a highly skilled orator, which means his use of a number of rhetorical devices comes off more naturally than they would if used by a less talented speaker. The president appears emphatic by appealing to emotions. “To the families of those we've lost, to all who called them friends, to the students of this university, the public servants who are gathered here, the people of Tucson and the people of Arizona: I have come here tonight as an American who, like all Americans, kneels to pray with you today and will stand by you tomorrow” (Obama). He uses the appeal form to emotions, pathos, and therefore gets the people of America...
Words: 579 - Pages: 3
