Eric Bruce  

March 4, 2015 

Freshman Composition 

A More Perfect Union 

In his speech "A More Perfect Union" (2008), Senator Barack Obama asserts that the only way to solve the country's problems is to first come together as Americans by addressing the issue of race, American unity, and the last two hundred and twenty years of American life. By supplying the reader with information about his own past and the lives of the average American; Black, White, Latino or Asian, Obama builds his claims about the common interests of all Americans. He wishes to convey to readers the importance of racial unity in order to solve the issues that plague all Americans. The author has no specific audience as he seeks to inform and call to action anyone who will listen to his words.   

The senator starts off the speech with the quote, "We the people, in order to form a more perfect union". These are the words that were spoken during the Philadelphia convention in the spring of 1787. These words as Obama states was what "launched America's improbable experiment in democracy". He discusses how the issue of race and freedom were intertwined especially at that time. While White Americans sought freedom and equal rights they still enslaved Black Americans. The irony of fighting for freedom while enslaving an entire race of people, in addition to pushing out the Native Americans from their homes surely cannot be missed. However, he praises the Americans that fought the good fight so that everybody could have equal rights and equal opportunity. He does acknowledge the fact that this fight was a struggle. Although African Americans legally had rights, they were pushed away from jobs, mortgages through violence and many other means. Obama points out the fact that discrimination constrained blacks from elevating themselves which in turn was passed on to the following generations. With this, there is an increasing number of young people who do not see the possibility of a future. 

Obama shares that the anger and resentment lies not only with the black community but the white community as well. While the people in black communities blame white people for slavery and their constant struggle to improve and do better for themselves, the white community has their resentment. Some of that resentment is even seen in the pulpit of the senator's own church. His pastor Reverend Wright was on record saying some controversial things concerning race in America which Obama has vocally condemned him for on various occasions.White Americans believe that they are losing out on opportunities not only for themselves but also their children for what they describe as an "injustice that they themselves have not committed". Some White Americans believe because of the sins of the past that policies like affirmative action in jobs and colleges is now their current burden to bear. It is reasonable to see that one might take that as a punishment. However, it is only implemented so that the same ways in which African Americans intimidated out of opportunities of progression, whether that was a job or a university. He argues that the anger is rightly placed in some instances and misplaced in others. That the white resentments of losing their jobs to outsourcing should be pointed towards the selfish companies and not to the minorities that over take their jobs. 

The big thesis of his speech is a turn towards American unity to solve the country's problems. It notes that all Americans have a common interest regardless of race. As Americans, he wishes to get through the racial issues and resolve them. He believes that the reason why race is such a big deal in America is because the issue of injustice was never dealt with, just pushed to the back burner, only to resurface in certain events to which it would then get pushed back after a certain time has elapsed. It is seen as a vicious cycle that he believes not only divides us but also causes the many issues concerning the economy and politics in this nation.  

Obama mentions his pastor Reverend Wright however he also calls him his former pastor. He praises the man for his contributions to his church and community but condemns him for his offensive and controversial remarks about race in America. He says that he could not turn away from Wright due to his influence and contribution into Obama's life: marrying him and his wife as well as baptizing his daughters. If all of that is the case, then why is Reverend Wright his former pastor? That note in his speech leaves a question unanswered in a speech that sets out to clarify multiple points.  

An inspirational speech that calls for racial unity in a country divided in its very core by race and religion. Although it may be a nice heartfelt message, it is not realistic to believe that the country would one day be unified because of the culture that has been instilled into generations of people. It is very hard to reform what has been taught to somebody from a young age. Just like trying to teach the world that the Earth is not flat after centuries of teachings that said otherwise. His campaign is based on "Yes We Can" but most likely these words in his speech will unfortunately fall on deaf ears. In a perfect Utopia it might be possible to eliminate all prejudice and discriminatory actions/thoughts so that Americans can come together towards a common interest. But this is not the case. This is the spark that is needed to incite discussion about how the country can move forward. This speech does not change anything, but it does serve its proper purpose: to inform the negligent and to inspire those who share similar thoughts. It cannot be said as to what will happen in the country's future but what is said in this speech, as it said two hundred and twenty years ago: it is so that we may have "a more perfect union".