Speech Is Power Of Speech Changed The Course Of History Essay

Ralph Waldo Emerson expressed the importance of speech in one short sentence: â€Å"Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel.† In 2008, the power of speech changed the course of history; the first African American president was elected, transcending years of racial inequality. For many blacks in the U.S., and many around the world, Barack Obama’s presidency was a step closer to righting America’s 400-year-old wrong: slavery and subsequent discrimination toward the black race. Obama’s victory was traced back to his powerful speech and his natural ability to charismatically orate. In the end, however, it was Obama’s political philosophy that persuaded individuals to support him. Following his victory in 2008, President Barack Obama used rhetoric to advocate for change, hope, and a united America where the window of opportunity could remain open for all. The son of a white American mother and a black Kenyan father, Barack Hussein O bama II spent most of his life feeling excluded in the racially homogenous state of Hawaii. Despite his childhood hardships, Obama graduated from Columbia University with a political science major in 1983. Later, he entered Harvard Law School where he became the first black â€Å"president of the prestigious Harvard Law Review† in 1990 (Nelson). Although a great majority of the journal’s staff was conservative, Obama won as a liberal by promising that he would treat all political beliefs equally and fairly—a promise he was famously knownShow MoreRelatedPresident Richard M. Nixon1524 Words   |  7 PagesAs the nation prepares for the largest defamation in American history, one man is brought to the forefront of his convictions. He has been the nation’s leader for two terms, spanning five and a half years; unfortunately one decision causes him to lose the most important seat in the world. He is referred to as ‘The President of the United States†™ but to the people of the free world, he was known as President Richard M. Nixon, the only president to ever step down from presidency. His resignation occurredRead MoreAbolition Movement Essay1173 Words   |  5 Pagessuffer as the slave that he once was. Despite the terror of his childhood, Garnet had succeeded in becoming a Presbyterian minister in 1840. As a minister, Henry Garnet took his first step into the antislavery movement when he made history with his â€Å"Call to Rebellion† speech in 1843 at the National Negro Convention. Garnet encouraged slaves to rebel against their masters and take their freedom by force. He wanted every slave to know they did not deserve to be treated as they were. â€Å"Neither god, nor angelsRead MoreDr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay1134 Words   |  5 Pages History is one of the topics in education, which teaches us important events of the past and helps us to understand the events of the present. 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This term may mean many things throughout the history of the United States such as: the men on top of Iwo Jima, the men who stormed the beaches of Normandy, the family that proudly displays their American flag day and night, th e man or woman who weeps in hearing the echoing calls of the National AnthemRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight Essay1687 Words   |  7 PagesI believe it is a great addition as an example of Middle English. because of its language. Beowulf and Shakespeare’s works are taught in Old and Modern English, respectively, and with Sir Gawain, students can learn the history of the language that not only parallels history courses, but it also aids discussion of the language’s current grammar and strange spelling rules. Although Sir Gawain would not be a long unit in my classroom, a week at most, it would give students a background in less traditionallyRead MoreThe Biological Theory And Gender Essay1298 Words   |  6 Pagesoriginally though in the way of instruction and understanding. When I first started, I assumed gender communication was how male and females communicate. While I still hold to some of my original theory’s regarding gender, many of my views ha ve changed. Additionally, this study as made me aware of what a complicated issue gender is going way beyond the male female sex. In our reading, Wood states (2009) We are born male or female (sex), but we learn to act in masculine and/or feminine ways (gender)Read MoreThe Formation Of Americ The American Dream Essay1407 Words   |  6 Pagesover the course of America’s history. These trends were a fundamental part of making America into the America we know today. These are the patterns that many people call on when promoting the fulfillment of the American Dream, so it is not surprising that they can be found in many books, presentations, and speeches. Both President Reagan and President Obama used these ideas to invoke strong feelings of patriotism while reaching out to the American people. In 1974 Ronald Reagan gave a speech to welcome