Analysis Of More Perfect Union By Maya Angelou

In a world of hate, corruption, and angst, hope for achievement seems improbable. Literary works depict incredulities like slavery and discrimination from the birth of our nation, but, silver linings exist in forms of inspiring activists and confident presidents. Barack Obama addresses not only our nation, but the entire world in his famous speech ¨A More Perfect Union¨. He highlights the promise of modern democracy, while identifying underlying issues that affected his own life. Similarly, Maya Angelou reminisces about her childhood to reveal the horror of discrimination, while discerning the significance of the American Dream. Despite the contrasts in their childhoods and family settings, Obama and Angelou share similar feelings that society

Like any great politicians or social icons, the past builds opinions about the world around them. Although Obama and Angelou were surrounded by African American influence as children, the time period in which they grew up in created a division in their outlook to success and racism. Obama explains, “We cannot solve the challenges of our time unless we perfect our union by understanding that we have different stories...we may not come from the same place… I am the son of a black man from Kenya and a white woman from Kansas…” (Obama 548-549). He claims that understanding everyone’s history should enlighten the children of the future, so the same mistakes are not made. Through his didactic tone and repetition, Obama is able to give insight on his own life. He experienced a more liberal household where he learned views of both sides of the issue, racism. Thus, the liberality of his opinion transpired into acceptance by voters in the election because he understood African

Obama passionately asserts, “Like other predominantly black churches across the country, Trinity embodies the black community in its entirety… they may seem jarring to untrained ear…. it contains in full the kindness and the cruelty, the fierce intelligence and the shocking ignorance…” (652). Sundays are the most segregated day of the week because it is when every culture divides amongst its sections to discuss issues that are predominantly concerning that certain race. However, Obama sees it as a day for the nation to unite because it is a time to relieve some of the prejudiced pressure. Using figurative speech and a loaded diction, Obama emphasizes how his church affected his view of society. Similarly, Angelou feels that her church drove her to make hypothesis on race and culture. Living in a community where church was a social hub, Angelou recalls, “Even the minister preached on graduation the Sunday before. His subject was, ‘Let your light shine so that men will see your good works and praise your Father, Who is in Heaven...’” (Angelou, 24). Her view of her community was strongly influenced by the practices of her congregation. Along with her allusion, Angelou is able to understand an American Vision from the lenses of a devoted individual who truly cares about not only her community, but the wellbeing of society to be above