My Life Verse

I live by the following scripture
Daily: "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me" ~Philippians 4:13

More Perfect Union Speech



In the United States, the first amendment allows for freedom of expression. This amendment allows for all citizens to openly share their prejudices, racism, hate speech, gossip, hatred of religion, and to make offensive statements publicly and socially. While some feel freedom of speech is our right, I believe allowing negativity to be free can ultimately be detrimental to society as a whole. According to Jandt (2013), “Communication can play a role in either spreading prejudice and racism or stopping their spread” (pg.52). In President Obama’s famous speech called “More Perfect Union” addressed to the nation in 2008 at the National Constitution Center, he made the nation aware of racial inequalities which are still present in the United States within all races. Obama reminded American’s of all cultures that we are still working toward “a more just, more equal, more free, more caring and more prosperous America” (Obama, 2008, para. 5).

President Obama chronicled the resentments of blacks and whites by stating, "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). Personally I do not agree with these subgroups he places blacks and whites in. Although some blacks may have anger which proves counterproductive, whites have anger as well just as blacks too have resentments. Blacks and other minorities are fearful when riding through wealthy, neighborhoods populated mainly by white Caucasians out of fear of being pulled over solely due to the color of their skin. Whites also harbor anger and are labored to be white trash when they are raised in poverty and forced to live in low-income trailer homes.
In an article analyzing the successes and failures of Obama’s speech on race, the authors stated that since he was advocating equality for both blacks and whites, he should have stated both have resentments rather than depicting blacks as stereotypically anger, emotional and bitter (Utley & Heyse, 2009). In contract to the disagreeing with the subgroups he placed blacks and whites in, I do agree with his statement that the anger and resentments are counterproductive. Anger and resentments do not bring about unity, no matter what race or culture it is present in. Harboring anger and resentment will not bring about unity, we must find peace within ourselves to strive for unity and positive change from a place of peace and love

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). In my opinion, this statement means that we are still struggling with the same racial issues we struggled with in the past, we have not overcome racism. This statement implies that we must work to overcome racial division in the United States and the first step to doing so is to admit that it is still a present day issue. When we bury issues and say they are in the past, we are merely ignoring and delaying the matter. With the recent cases of white cops shooting black men who were unarmed and black Americans rioting, it is obvious that Racial division is an issue of great importance in the present that is not buried.

I do believe a trans-racial society is desirable and possible in the United States. I believe America needs to shift its focus off of freedom and onto equality. America allows people to openly share their prejudices, assemble in hate groups such as the KKK, openly admit to racism, openly communicate hate speech, gossip, hatred of religion, and the right to publically offend others. Limitations must be placed on freedom of expression when the expressions are hurtful, degrading, cause offence and do not promote equality; otherwise division will always be present.

Our text states that listener’s evaluations of a person have been negatively affected just by hearing racist comments about the person (Jandt, 2013). The disallowance of negativity and hate to spread, in my opinion in no way infringes upon human freedom rights.

In order to promote equality, trans-racial adoption must also be promoted. There are many black and minority children who are being raised without parents to love them. By promoting inter-racial parenting and families, we will show America and society that skin color is not what matters. While some people feel that skin color dictates cultural affiliations which form identity, the development of identity actually is a complex, lifelong process influenced by parents, family, as well as groups within the community (Szabo & Ritchken,2002). In my opinion, Obama’s speech served as a reminder to all Americans that the fight for equal right for all is still an ongoing issue and that we must all come together to stand against discrimination and racism of any kind. As humans, we will always have differences but these differences must be embraced and seen for the beauty that that are. We were all created uniquely and that uniqueness is what makes the world such a beautiful place.



References
Jandt, F.E. (2013). An Introduction to Intercultural Communication: Identities in a Global Community (7th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
National Constitution Center. (2009). Obama Speech on Race at the National Constitution Center [Interactive website]. Retrieved from http://constitutioncenter.org/amoreperfectunion/
Szabo, C. P., & Ritchken, D. A. (2002). Race and Family Placement: A Case Report and Review. South African Journal of Psychology, 32(4), 60.

Utley, E., & Heyse, A. L. (2009). Barack Obama's (Im) Perfect Union: An Analysis of the Strategic Successes and Failures in His Speech on Race. The Western Journal of Black Studies, (3), 153.

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