My child informed me today that for an exercise in class they looked at the Obama speech on race - 'A More Perfect Union'
I must admit that I was not happy that the teacher had done this; join me after the fold for details.
A couple of things to keep in mind:
- The Class is AP Language and Comp
- The teacher is white and a Clinton supporter
- There are only 3 African-Americans, 4 asians and 1 Latina in the class of about 35
The idea was to do a rhetoric analysis of the speech. Before starting the teacher asked the students if they would feel uncomfortable doing this exercise with this speech. She also said that she would not be expressing her views...
While I understand the benefit of using a current event, such as Obama's speech, to demonstrate the use of language, the goal was to have students analyze the techniques used and determine if they were effective in achieving the point being made. The students were expected to look at the speech with a critical eye, look for fallacies and come to an understanding of how the language used in any speech is designed to sway the listener.
There have been few speeches given in recent decades by top ranking politicians that broach the subject of racism in the US. And even fewer given by a biracial politician. Was this the first? This speech is of great significance to all of us but especially to people of color who have not had much representation in government. Finally a turning point. Finally someone is really talking about the issues and the racism that still pervades our society and the anger present among all races on all sides of the issue.
What concerns me is that by allowing students to analyze what was "effective" and to bring this speech down to just rhetoric, belittles the importance of the speech.
I feel the teacher failed to recognize the symbolism of the speech and what it means to so many of us, white, black, and brown. This speech signified a step in the right direction in opening up race issues that have been burdening us for so long.
Am I overreacting? What's your take?