Group Discussion on Outlines and Projects:

Cally is discussing the state of the Architecture department’s resources and studio. She shared pictures with us of the architecture studio here at USF and how it does not promote creativity and light. I recommended she collect short testimonies from other USF architecture students about their experience with the studio and how it has or has not nurtured their education. CJ is gearing towards covering the story of the Gucci family and the corruption of fashion brands profiting off of exploitation. Both of my partners issues revolve around the topic of money and corrupt systems. USF really needs to reevaluate its progressive and inclusive ideals because its actions aren’t matching how they market themselves. The fashion industry is producing a system where people are not buying for the product but for the chance to show they bought an item from this brand.

 

Speech Analysis:

 

Opening: Obama did not open his speech with an alarming or exciting attention getter. This is most likely due to the fact that the context in which the speech was given already held a very significant value. However the choice of words and his tone were very reassuring and empowering. He invoked his crowd by creating unison as well as individuality by addressing the diversity of his supporters and how they ultimately all come together to make the United States of America. 

 

Body Preview: Obama in the body preview gives thanks to the people who have helped him during his election. He gives thanks to those who have supported his journey. This part of his speech humanizes him as a husband, father, a son. By reminding his audience that he is still just a normal person that succeeds due to the support of others allows the US citizens to feel a part of his victory. He lets the audience know that he knows that while some may not agree with what he has to say or will do for the United States he will try his best to do what’s best. He even states that he will listen to his US citizens, especially when they disagree with him. It is about promoting perseverance, change, and progress. He focuses his attention on opportunity and ties in unison as much as he can. “Yes we can,” he has the audience repeat multiple times. It isn’t about a leader fighting battles and making all decisions, it is about a nation working together to make life better for all and always. He is a talented speaker and he knows how to invoke emotion and pride. 

Aristotelian Persuasive Techniques: Given that this speech has to deal with America as a  whole unified country. Obama didn’t give false hope, he was real and honest. Giving America a future to look forward to. He gave an honest representation of where the government is at, and where it should be, bringing the ethos to his speech. Along with the pathos of the state of the economy, given that nothing is perfect nor will it be anytime soon Obama talked about how much can be done with the time he is given to help make America everything that it should already be.

 

One of the largest yet least talked about issues is violence against Native American/ Indigenous Identifying women. I have devoted much time to this topic in a prior research project but never really explored the serious and effective solutions for the issue. Native women have been targeted, abused, objectified, and dehumanized since the beginning of western colonization. Today the United States has not only done very little to nothing to repair damages imposed onto Indigenous communities but has in-fact upheld laws and regulations that directly harm these communities. Out of all members of Indigenous communities the women have been the most harmed, this is due to the nature of relationships between white men and Indigenous women that goes back centuries. The shear number of missing Indigenous women and girls is horrifying and the crimes committed against them go either un-noticed or un-condemned. The United States has positioned itself at the helm of Indigenous politics and has dismissed crime after crime that has taken place on or outside national reservations. The main and most systemic issues that have led to this targeted demographic are positioning of “man-camps” near reservations, Indigenous legal systems, and a history of sexualizing and dehumanizing of Indigenous women.

 

Outline:

Introduction:

• Grabber: use statistic or story to help audience understand the gravity of the issue
• Main message/ Call to action: Find specific strategies to combat violence against Native American/ Indigenous Identifying Women. (donating, hands-on grassroots work, activism/ protest/ speech, using privileged positions to give those without a voice a platform.)

Body:

• present the main source of violence against these women and girls and the connection to abuse of the land/ earth
• explain how this correlates to how the U.S failed to empower reservation communities to protect themselves
• this all connects back to history of objectification and how an Indigenous Woman’s body has been used throughout history as a means for power and control.

Conclusion:

• clear and concise summary of main points and the connections between them
• main main message understandable and digestible to guarantee that the audience hears what it is you want them to
• call to action and what is possible to take action on right now

Review of Speech:

Despite the fact that this speech was given by a young child, it is very cohesive, clear, and convincing! We felt that he took advantage and utilized his position as a kid to amplify the power of his speech and his understanding of the topic. He spoke in a passionate and lively manner and even got his audience physically engaged in his message. His bluntness with information and logic was easy to follow and allowed him to condense the topic without sacrificing vital information. We ultimately found that it doesn’t take a lot of time or complexity to deliver a convincing and informationally valid speech. It is about how you utilize your time and perspective on the issue!

 

Group discussion on speech topics + outlines:

We each shared our topics and explained partially our outlines and plans of argumentation. We spent the majority of the time clearing up our understanding of the assignment and how to formulate the different pieces we need to create a cohesive speech. Everyone has fascinating topics regarding adoption, the environment, and marginalized communities, I am excited to see what we all develop in this assignment!