The impetus behind "A More Perfect Union" was to address comments made by Reverend Wright, comments that threatened to divide the country on issues of race and equality at a time when everyone needed to be working together to fix those problems.
Racial inequality has been part of American history for hundreds of years, and, in many instances, the government has allowed it to continue. There are a million reasons not to like someone—i.e., those who put the toilet paper on the dispenser the wrong way—but judging someone based on the color of their skin isn't one of the reasons.
Questions About Racism
- What examples of racism did Obama highlight in his speech?
- How did Reverend Wright's comments inspire hate, rather than acceptance?
- In his speech, Obama includes a quote from his book Dreams from My Father. Look back on that quote. How does he take a Black stereotype and turn it on its head?
- Do you think Obama handled this controversy the right way? Why or why not?
Chew on This
Racism is still such a big issue in the United States because we don't know how to empathize with one another in order to really listen and make changes.
Until we eradicate racial inequalities at home, the United States will have a difficult time successfully transitioning oppressed nations from destruction to democracy.