Affirmative Action

This is favoring someone who is usually on the receiving end of traditional, negative discrimination. This occurs in the workplace, in places of higher education, and basically anywhere that needs a shot in the arm when it comes to diversity.

Confederate States of America

Southern states that peaced out of the United States in 1861, which led to the Civil War.

Conservative

People with traditional values (also commonly used in reference to the Republican party).

Cynicism

Believing the glass is always half empty—basically April Ludgate from Parks and Recreation.

Demagogue

A leader who gets people to like him/her by playing off their desires and prejudices instead of being rational. Think, um, Hitler.

Discrimination

Not liking a certain group of people—for whatever (deluded) reason—and deciding that they don't get certain rights, opportunities, or various goodies.

Endemic

Totally pervasive. Everybody's doing it, and no one's stopping it.

GOP

The Grand Old Party, a.k.a. the Republican Party. Think elephants.

Immigrant

A person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country—all Americans not of Native American descent are related to immigrants.

Jim Crow Laws

Laws established in the South following the end of the Civil War that let white people discriminate against black people. Think "no coloreds allowed" swimming pools, lunch counters, and drinking fountains.

Persecution

Hating on someone for his or her beliefs.

Race

A group of people from the same ethnic group (such as East Asian) or sharing the same culture, history, or language.

Racism

Basically, Draco Malfoy's feelings toward Hermione Granger and all Muggle-born wizards, just because they're Muggles. Applied to our real Muggle-based world, it's when one race believes everyone of a certain race has certain traits and that its own race is better than others.

Segregation

In general? The separation of things. In this speech? The division of Black people and white people.

Stalemate

When people can't agree on anything, things grind to a halt. Remember that super proud moment in 2013 when the U.S. government shut down because no one could get along? Yeah. Awesome.

Stereotype

Here, Obama talked about predominantly racial stereotypes: the idea that people of the same race behave in a certain way. Oh, yeah: these stereotypes are pretty much never flattering.

Tyranny

Cruel use of power. Stalin did it. Hitler did it. Franco did it. It's bad news bears.

Union

Two or more things coming together. Two people getting married. Peanut butter and banana forming the perfect sandwich. Chocolate and coffee getting together to make a mocha. Or 50 states getting together and doing great things.