In 2016, Michelle Obama gave her last commencement speech as the First Lady of the United States in the City College of New York, which was video recorded and transcribed in the City College University website. Using the speech genre, the subjects she explores about equal opportunity and diversity applies to the unique sample of students that attend this college and most immigrants in this country. This rhetorical analysis delves into the positive reinforcement message she was trying to present students while also expressing her concerns about social issues that American society might face in the near future.
The rhetorical situation was Michelle Obama’s empowering speech to graduate students recognizing the hard work and resilience that led them to celebrate this educational achievement. While at the same time inviting the audience to meditate on some of her socio-political concerns before leaving her role as First Lady of the United States.
In this rhetorical analysis the Author is Michelle Obama, the piece feels inspirational and credible. Her audience, in The City College of New York, was selected because of its diverse community, which is mostly constituted by low-income immigrant students and workers, could identify with the struggles and obstacles faced when pursuing higher education based on her background. Her father a blue-collar worker helped her pay for her tuition while at the same she had to work and borrow student loans to complete her payments.“Maybe your family has been in this city for generations, or maybe, like my family, they came to this country centuries ago in chains. Maybe they just arrived here recently, determined to give you a better life” (Obama,1). Her story touches a common reality, everybody is not born with the same privileges and some may have to work harder order in order to achieve their goals.” you have all made it here today through the same combination of unyielding determination, sacrifice, and a whole lot of hard work commuting hours each day to class, some of you. (Applause.) Yes, amen. (Laughter.) Juggling multiple jobs to support your families and pay your tuition. (Applause.) Studying late into the night, early in the morning; on subways and buses, and in those few precious minutes during breaks at work”. (Obama,1).
Despite her position of power, the use of casual language and informal tone invites the audience to feel like equals and motivate them to better themselves while sharing the notion that is it is possible to achieve a successful profession in their future. I believe the purpose of the speech was to celebrate diversity and immigration,clearly illustrating her stance on the matter by emphasizing that these are important elements that have played key roles in the rising history of the USA while also expressing concern about citizens and powerful individuals who are not proud of this fact and will take action against this in the near future. She also points out that privilege is not the most important factor in the road to success and that struggle is not a disadvantage. Instead, it exercises persistence and resilience like a muscle and will become their greatest asset in their career and life. I think the author’s speech was effective as she appears to understand her audience, which is most likely to feel valued, represented, and not overlooked.
Work Cited Page
Obama, Michelle. “ Commencement Address by First Lady Michelle Obama”(2016)Web.Retrieved from https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/commencement/commencement-address-first-lady-michelle-obama
