Thursday, September 6, 2012

Michelle Obama's DNC Speech


At the Democratic Convention, Michelle Obama spoke of dates with her husband; told stories about her parents who worked hard to ensure the success of their children; empathized with mothers; and revealed the struggles and feats of her family. Her tales of life and morals, which define the political perspective of she and her husband, busily attacked Mitt Romney in the most polite manner.

Michelle directly said that for President Obama, “success isn’t about how much money you make, it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives.” While this references the morals behind her husband’s campaign, it indirectly contrasts those of Mitt Romney, who speaks of accomplishment in the same breath as economic success. Michelle told about the debts she and her husband accumulated through college, and the efforts of her parents to support their children in their endeavors. Her speech was apolitical in its appearance, but carried heavy political messages through her telling of personal stories and strives.

Michelle’s speech reflects her and President Obama’s personal understanding of the difficulties of hardworking American citizens to raise a family while receiving government aid. Her story about her father, who was proud to be sending his kids to college, even if he had to take out a loan to pay the bill, connected a traditional message about parenting with a plea for social justice. Her father was a respectable individual on government aid. This speaks to people who receive government assistance and who are responsible and productive citizens to our society; representative of a large portion of the U.S. middle and lower class population. Michelle directly empathizes with traditional American families, many of which are struggling. Michelle stressed her traditional, hardly-privileged upbringing. While kindly reaching out to Americans in an understanding and encouraging manner, she effectively implies that Mitt Romney cannot relate to this lifestyle because of his exceptionally privileged childhood. 

No comments:

Post a Comment