Shelby Steele's "On Being Black and Middle Class"

How does Steele combine issues of race and class rhetorically? What sort of tropes or devices does she use to make this combination? How can issues of race and class be described in the same way?

Answer ALL these questions in your response!!

Obama's Speech on Race (3-18-08)

Read Barack Obama's Speech on Race (you can find at my website) and answer ONE of the following questions:

1) What is the rhetorical effect of Obama quoting Faulkner's statement, "The past isn't dead and buried. In fact, it isn't even past"?

2) What is Obama trying to equate when he says "The church contains in full kindness and cruelty" and "the most segregated hour in American life occurs on Sunday"?

3) How does Obama think the issue of race will be overcome? What ideas does he use to support his claim?

Pick ONE of these questions and answer with a three-paragraph response.

Race and the Election

Given Barack Obama's election to the Presidency, race remains an important issue in our country. Do you believe that this election changed the issue of race? Why or why not? Write at least three paragraphs explaining your answer and you may use sources if you feel necessary. Please cite them if you do.