Ashford 2: – Week 1 – Assignment

More Perfect Union Speech

Watch the video of President Obama’s March 18, 2008, speech at the Constitution Center in Philadelphia regarding the role race played in the 2008 presidential campaign. This speech, sometimes dubbed the “More Perfect Union” speech, can be found in several locations on the Web. Two suggested locations are provided below.

After viewing and reading the speech, write a two-to three-page paper in which you respond to the following questions:

• President Obama chronicles the resentments of blacks      and whites and states, “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.) Do you think the resentments of each subgroup are valid? Why or      why not? Do you agree with his statement that the anger and resentments      are counterproductive? Why or why not? 
• 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.) What do you think this statement means, and what      implications does it have for race relations in the United States? 
• Do you believe a trans-racial society is desirable and      possible in the United States? In your opinion, what changes would have to      take place in our culture and/or our communications with one another for      this societal change to take place? 

The paper must be two to three pages in length and formatted according to APA style. You must use at least two scholarly sources, the video, and the course text to support your claims. Cite your resources in text and on the reference page. For information regarding APA samples and tutorials, visit the Ashford Writing Center, within the Learning Resources tab on the left navigation toolbar.

Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.