Diamond Davis

CITP A More Perfect Union

Feb 9
C: Obama is able to navigate these two audiences by saying that what Reverend Wright said
wasn't wrong, but that black people have dealt and still deal with certain things to make them
feel this way. Obama doesn't doubt that what he said was offensive, but tells them all the
reasons and causes for Wright saying what he did. Because Obama is half black and half white
he can advocate for both sides of the argument. He can express how white people feel about
racial issues and he can also express how black people feel about racial issues.
L: Obama calls this speech "A More Perfect Union" because it takes all of us to build a more
perfect union. By doing something about the racial issues Americans can work towards a more
perfect union without so much racial divide. Obama sees our constitution as unfinished because
they left slavery alone in the constitution. The founders left it for future generations to deal with.
The underlying values that would lead to finishing the constitution is liberty, justice, and a more
perfect union. Obama explains Reverend Wright's words and something that could widen the
racial divide and offend all people. What was right with Wright's sermon was that racism does
exist, but not in the same way as 50 years ago. Race is so difficult for Americans to talk about
because it is a sensitive subject and many are ignorant to the dynamics of racism. The racial
stalemate is that the anger of the black community and the resentment in the white community.
We can get out of it by working together.
U: No evidence is required for his argument. There's nothing you can really say when they say
the historical record says something different. It's almost opinion. Some things about history are
facts, but what they mean is basically open to interpretation. Obama uses an anecdote and
personal experience to back up his case.
E: Obama's conclusion is reasonable. In order to move past this Americans have to understand
both sides of the issue and come together and solve American problems. These problems arent
just with black or Hispanics, its with the whole nation. So Obama is suggesting we look at the

Diamond Davis
CITP A More Perfect Union
Feb 9
problems with crumbling schools and the line in the emergency room. This is how Obama
says we can get past this.
S: I dont know if it started a new conversation about race. To me it seemed like the same stuff
that everyone says about race for the most part that isnt a racist. While this speech may have
been able to save Obamas campaign I doubt it being able to start a new conversation about
race.