During the 2008 presidential campaign, President Barack Obama delivered a speech in Philadelphia that is regarded as one of the finest examples of rhetoric on the issue of race in America.
To address racist comments made by Rev. Wright, Obama delivered a beautifully authored and artfully delivered speech describing how far America has come on matters of race relations. His message was an affirmation of progress and a call to view our nation’s problems not through the lens of race but as citizens that face common problems and need collective solutions.
Zell Miller endorses George W. Bush at the 2004 Republican National Convention – Zell Miller is the Democratic Senator who took the stage at the Republican National Convention, and, in the opinion of at least one Delibero editor, his speech is an example of statemanship over soundbytes, and passion over passivity. Even if you can’t stand hearing the praise for President Bush, this speech goes beyond the election and hits on some of the major bipartisan frustrations we felt at that time.
“Welcome to the Army, Mrs. Smith!” These are the words (with a different last name) that I heard a little less than a month ago at my wedding, accompanied by a light tap on the rear end with a saber. This traditional end to the military wedding’s trademark arch of sabers, through which the newlywed couple walks on their way out of the church, is a playful reminder of the hardships of military life. “Don’t get too wrapped up in the romance,” this little nudge reminds the bride, after she has walked with her handsome young officer under shiny sabers held aloft by young uniformed Soldiers.
It has always baffled me that as humans we are on the cusp of designing a computer that will out-muscle our own brain – all the while curing diseases, exploring outer space, and perfecting the mass production of goods — yet, despite these advances, we still engage in the primitive act of burning coal, oil, and natural gas for electricity.
Mainstream media does not engage in deliberation. Congress, often, does not engage in deliberation. And yet, if we as voting citizens do not demand it of ourselves, of the media, of our representatives, and of each other, we cannot expect other than a lack of constructive political discourse. The reclamation of politics must begin with us.
