In her 2013 “Bowie State University Commencement Speech”, found in They Say/I Say, Michelle Obama, the current First Lady of the United States, uses several rhetorical strategies, including historical references and appeals to emotion and history, in order to drive her central message of the importance of education and the responsibly of her audience to deliver the legacy of education to the next generation. Throughout the piece, Obama relays a historical analysis of the progress made in education for African Americans, including an exploration of the toil and sacrifice made over the decades so that that progress could come to pass. She concludes by calling the graduating students to action to carry on the legacy of educational excellence that …show more content…
That is, to detail the sacrifice made over the decades in so that people could have equal access to education. Obama qualifies this point by describing numerous historical events, including the founding of Bowie State University in 1865, shortly after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation (288). She highlights the uniqueness of the University as it was founded for black students because “…in many parts of the parts of this country, it was illegal for black people to get an education.” (288). She accounts that slaves “could be beaten within an inch of their lives” if the sought to acquire a remotely decent education. Obama continues her historical account as she describes the travail and bravery that a few people possessed that led them to afford educational opportunities for black people even when “Teachers received death threats.” (289). She evokes these historical events, not only to show the stark difference between the past and present with regards to educational opportunities for African Americans, but also demonstrate how the people who fought tirelessly so that they could gain an education did so because of they were aware of the value of education as it brings freedom and opportunity to those who have it. To bolster this assertion, Obama quotes Fredrick Douglas, “Freedom is Emancipation” (289) Obama details even further as she
The Malcolm Little born on May 19th 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska. Frederick Douglas born in a slave cabin in February 1880s; these men were both two African American activist who faced challenges in life. From running the cotton field to running the block they both are from different generations, but come together by their love and value for education. Although the time frame they lived on earth was more than one hundred years apart, Frederick Douglass and Malcolm X used their art of education and public speaking thus representing the place that African Americans held in the society and culture of the United States during their respective lifetimes. Literary narratives teach us that gaining an importance of reading and education can have the potential
James Anderson’s The Education of Blacks in the South, 1860-1935 discusses the creation and black devotion to education. Anderson argues that contrary to popular belief, blacks laid the foundation for their education, and even though others sought to control the system, blacks still fought for their own education the way they saw fit. He also argues that there has been pivotal relationship between education and oppressed groups—American education has always funded education for all (Anderson, 1988, p.5). I believe Anderson argues this through opposition, emancipation, and fighting low standards. Anderson begins the monograph with discussion of the postwar South and how they were hostile to the idea of black schooling.
Although the roots of this movement date as far back as the 1900s, the legacy of the African American’s role in World War II sparked the catalyst needed to promote the legislation that eventually led to their equality. “On May 17, 1954, The Supreme Court announced its decision in the case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka” (Brinkley 772). This regulation overturned the Supreme Court’s earlier decision in the Plessy V Ferguson case. The separate but equal doctrine was a prime example of domestic policy that did not uphold the government’s constitutional promise to promote the general welfare of society-to include all that fall under the definition of an American citizen. The affliction put on children who had to travel to segregated public schools placed an unequal burden and damage done to those who it pertained to.
What is the purpose and mission of universal schooling? Why are philanthropic white Northern reformers’ supportive of African-Americans’ goals of literacy and universal education? How can historians reconcile the educational advancement of African-Americans with their status as second-class citizens throughout the Eras of Reconstruction and Jim Crow? In The Education of Blacks in the South (1988), James Anderson explores the race, labor, and education questions through the lens of black educational philosophy. Anderson challenges the prevailing narrative that universal public education emerged from white Northern missionaries dedicated to civilizing newly emancipated Negroes in the South.
Introduction Hook: I never knew that one day, one idea could have such a big impact. That one thing could change the history, set up the rest of the country to follow suit with this specific topic, and things that need a change in general. Background: Over 50 years ago, on March 7, 1965, now known as bloody Sunday, segregation was still prevalent. At the time it was not allowed for blacks to vote at the time.
In this interview, it illustrates how power may ignite cultures to have a division based on their cultural group. It may cause a nation to become captivated by misleading mistakes and false representation of a political group. Although, segregation exists, individuals felt the need to react in ways that became unjustifiable causing destruction affecting beliefs, values, and other perspectives amongst other cultures, religions, and beliefs differently than their own. By taking the lives of innocent individuals and shaping and conforming lives according to their biases alters how children may shape their own human world views based on exceptionalism, power and segregation, and improving history and evolution through integration.
Shirley Chisholm’s Presidential Bid From the beginning, the world was a place of inequality. However, it is possible to change. Through hard work from significant individuals, the world has fought wars and created laws that have led towards equality.
At the beginning of his speech, he conveys emotion through telling his own story and putting the audience in his shoes. He states “On the one hand he is born in the shadow of the stars and stripes and he is assured it represents a nation which has never lost a war. He pledges allegiance to that flag which guarantees "liberty and justice for all. " He is part of a country in which anyone can become President, and so forth”. This shows the audience how African American children feel when living in a country made on the premise of equality, but feeling anything but equal to their Caucasian peers.
Mary Mcleod once said, “We have a powerful potential in our youth, and we must have the courage to change old ideas and practices so that we may direct their power toward good ends.” This quote comes from a woman whose true intentions were to establish, empower, equate, and implement black education. These were the goals of women educators during the civil rights movement which was during the years of Jim Crow laws. Jim Crow laws were racially segregated laws in the United States ranging from the years of 1876 to 1965, which is nearly 100 years. “America designed a Jim Crow system of education to deny access for to quality education to Negroes.”
During a funeral for Reverend Clementa Pinckney, a Charleston shooting victim, President Obama delivered an influential eulogy. This eulogy turned out to be so powerful that it traveled throughout the internet and became known as one of Obama’s best speeches from the duration of his presidency. The speech resonated so well with many citizens because of its relatable content and connections to passionate issues in today’s society. The delivery of the eulogy played a gigantic part in its effectiveness to Americans as well. President Obama’s eulogy contained beyond relatable content and various connections to the issues racking society’s bones today.
(White, p.460) Standing up for equal rights and taking the militant approach, he felt that African Americans should educate themselves just as the
Pivotal Chices in Booker T. Washington's Life It takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears to start a school today. One can not imagine what starting a school was like for a white man, much less an African American in the 1800s. But, Booker T. Washington did start a school, and wrote about it in his autobiography, Up From Slavery. His novel tells about his life from where he started: in slavery. Washington went from an enslaved and scared boy, to an ambitious intelligent man.
Likewise, in the video it states “Even after slavery was abolished it was still hard for Booker T. Washington to get an education.” However, after the civil war there will still be big challenges in trying to get an
Since ancient times, humankind has always sought knowledge and wisdom. However, the path to get them has never been a simple one, due to through time, people with power and money have tried to keep humanity in the “darkness;” therefore, is up the people to find their way to the “light.” Having that in mind, Toni Cade Bambara in his short story “The Lesson,” and David Foster Wallace in the essay “Commencement Speech, Kenyon College,” develop the topic of the importance of education. “The lesson” is about a black lady, from probably the 1920’s or 1930’s, who managed to go to college; and now is trying to inspire a group of black kids to do the same. Whereas, Wallace’s essay is an adaptation from the commencement speech to the graduates from Kenyon
Barack Obama’s win for President in 2009 was a historical moment for the United States. His inaugural speech was much anticipated, because this was going to set the tone for his presidency. His speech told the American people that improving the economy is one of his priorities, but there were also other areas he would like to improve like healthcare and the education system. This was a speech that was meant to persuade the American public to take action for them to rise as a nation again, and for them to put their trust into him. His message addressed a couple of specific points like his gratefulness to the American people, the different crises America is facing, how America will overcome these crises, replying to his cynics, addressing the world, and then he reminded America again to be brave like they’ve always been to overcome the hard times (5 Speechwriting Lessons from Obama's Inaugural Speech, (n.d.).