Parallel Syntax In Rosa Parks Speech

In his 2013 address to the Rosa Parks statue in the National Statuary Hall, Barack Obama exposes human tolerance as a nation in order to inspire Americans to continue their plight for righteousness in the name of Rosa Parks’ legacy. Obama begins his address by describing Rosa Parks’ story reverentially. More specifically, Obama notes how “Mrs. Parks,” was kicked off the bus “simply because she entered through the front door,” which depicts the cruelty of humanity back in the mid-20th century (12-13). Obama continues to repeat the word “simply” in order to denote how, despite being a victim of racial and gender prejudice, Parks maintains respect toward her ignorant human kin. In a world where racial injustice is common, everyone turns a blind eye, including those on the bus who notice the actions against Parks and fellow African Americans. Obama instills this message into his audience of the American nation within his address, which begins to develop his final message later on.

For instance, Obama narrates how, through unfavorable climate and circumstances, a boycott of the common people began where they were “walking for respect [and] walking for freedom” (34). Obama utilizes parallel syntax within his storytelling to expose how the journey for righteousness did not come without a fight. It was within their right, as this freedom is a “God-given dignity” (36). Obama appeals to his audience once more using religious appeal as a means of showcasing the rights given to man, which references the constitution unwittingly. The stark contrast between the constitutional, God-given rights of Rosa Parks and alike versus what was reality allows Obama to expose to his audience that the fight involves all